September 11, 2025
By Tim Kowols, Door County Daily News

You have the opportunity every year to see plays and musicals get their start in Door County. Third Avenue PlayWorks and Northern Sky Theater routinely offer world premiere productions as a part of the season’s schedule. The latest example opens on September 24th when “Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night” takes the Third Avenue PlayWorks stage in Sturgeon Bay. The play features Kelli Strickland and Doug Mancheski, who play the roles of Marci and Richie as they navigate their friendship and trivia night challenges. Artistic Director Jacob Janssen says playwright Alec Silberblatt has been in the room for readings and rehearsals, offering rewrites and other tweaks to improve the play in real time before the curtains go up for the public. Janssen says it is an exciting process to be a part of, whether on stage or in the audience.

Third Avenue PlayWorks has had good luck with world premieres in the past. “I Carry Your Heart With Me,” written by Jennifer Blackmer, premiered at Third Avenue PlayWorks in 2023 as part of World Premiere Wisconsin and was recognized with a Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award nomination. “Ryan’s Pub, Trivia Night” runs from September 24th to October 12th. You can listen to our full interview with Janssen by clicking the link.