Rehearsals have officially begun with Doug Mancheski and Kelli Strickland for the world premiere of Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night at Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. In this play, Marci and Richie are the best trivia team at Ryan’s Pub until cheaters in billowy khakis stroll in. Faced with failure and an endless supply of drinks, the night takes a turn when Marci comes face to face with her demons. More than a quirky tale of trivia, this is a story of friendship between two teammates and the lengths they will go to win.
“I seek to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Make the mundane poetic. Make heroes out of the flawed folks you meet at the local bar,” says playwright Alec Silberblatt.
With Silberblatt in the rehearsal room, Kelli and Doug will have the opportunity to discover new things about their characters and the play as they shape this world premiere together with director, Jacob Janssen. This story calls for two actors who can develop a very strong partnership because they will be alone together on stage for two hours and these actors are definitely up to that task. This is the perfect play for some of our favorite local artists, Kelli Strickland and Doug Mancheski.
Doug Mancheski as Richie
Doug Mancheski’s history with Third Avenue PlayWorks (and Third Avenue Playhouse) includes appearances in The Drawer Boy, Shooting Star, Gray’s Anatomy, Gutenberg the Musical, Slow Food, and True West. Doug has also acted for over two decades with Northern Sky Theater and is perhaps best known for playing Marvin in Guys On Ice, a role he has performed over 2,000 times. Doug has acted with most of the professional theaters in WI and graduated from New York University’s MFA program for actors. His film resume includes the indie cult film, Hundreds of Beavers, currently showing in select theaters and most streaming platforms.
Kelli Strickland as Marci
Kelli Strickland is the Executive Artistic Director of The Weidner at University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Her select production credits include: Botanic Garden, The Weidner; House of Blue Leaves (Jeff Nominated – Best Actress), Good Boys and True, The Cherry Orchard, Raven Theatre; Scapegoat, New Colony Theatre; We’ve Got A Badge For That, Lifeline Theatre, Livebait Theatre and Tour; Southern Heritage, Lifeline Theatre; The Ville, Bare Bones Theatre; The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Brave Smiles, Survive This, Bailiwick Repertory Theatre; Snapshots, 20% Theatre Co.; The Memorandum, Metamorphosis, Entelechy Theatre Co. The Imaginary Invalid, Tartuffe, Avenue Theatre Co.; Frankenstein’s Children, Women’s Theatre Alliance; and feature film – “Hannah Free.”
Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night Creative Team
It is with immense pride and excitement that we present the world premiere of Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night starring Doug Mancheski and Kelli Strickland. This play isn’t just a story; it’s a profound and beautifully-crafted love letter to friendship, and a testament to the power of shared memories… and it’s also got trivia.
“The new play process is one of my absolute favorite things to do as an artist,” says Jacob Janssen, director of Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night, “because we are actively discovering the play together with an audience. It’s the most fun you can have as a theater artist.”
The production at Third Avenue PlayWorks features scenic design by Alex Polzin, costume design by Kotryna Hilko, lighting design by Colin Gawronski, sound design by Brian Grimm, props design by Haley Anne Cranstoun, and production stage management by Kelsey Brennan York.
Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night Cast
Kelli Strickland as Marci
Doug Mancheski as Richie
Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night Performance Schedule
September 24 – October 12, 2025
Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Friday matinee October 3 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Will Preview: Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. with half of the proceeds benefiting JAK’s Place
Ticketed Preview: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Opening Night Reception: Friday, September 26, 2025
Post-Show Conversation: Friday, October 3, 205, following 2:00 p.m. matinee
Closing Night: Sunday, October 12, 2025