WORLD PREMIERE IN DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN
Sturgeon Bay, WI (August 24, 2026) – Third Avenue PlayWorks (TAP) is excited to announce the upcoming world premiere of The Call List, by Brian James Polak as part of the World Premiere Wisconsin Festival, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals. The production will run September 23 to October 11, 2026, featuring a performance by Eva Nimmer.
The idea for The Call List came from listening to the podcast “S Town.” “I was obsessed with a part of it where the town clerk was tasked with calling a list of people to tell them somebody they knew died,” said Polak, “I wanted to explore that experience. I also wanted to write something that could be funny. This work in progress is the result.”
Polak writes existential plays featuring stuck people, and The Call List is no exception. Considered a dark comedy, the play takes place in a toxic work environment and features a depressed legal assistant who is handed a list of names to call to announce a client’s death. Armed with only her notebook and razor-sharp wit, she is pulled into a mystery that is equal parts darkly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt. Polak has created an environment that is hard for his character, but ultimately wants to help her find the way out of the darkness, and show audiences a pathway to a deeper understanding of themselves.
About his plays, Polak hopes “people will return to their lives more empathetic, or at the very least, aware of their need to show and be shown empathy.”
While Polak is from New Hampshire and currently resides in Minnesota, The Call List is no stranger to Door County, Wisconsin. The play was workshopped with actor Eva Nimmer at the Door Kinetic Arts Festival in Door County in 2023. Now in its tenth year, the week-long festival provides Door County residents and visitors a peek at the creative process through film screenings, staged readings, performed works in progress, and workshops in the exceptionally beautiful and serene atmosphere maintained at Björklunden in Baileys Harbor.
In March of this year, The Call List went through another round of workshops at Third Avenue PlayWorks. This time, Polak and Nimmer collaborated with Jacob Janssen, Jackie & Steve Kane Artistic Director, and director for this production.
Rehearsals are set to begin September 2nd in Door County, but Polak’s The Call List has already garnered recognition as a Semi-Finalist in Seven Devils New Play Foundry Playwrights Conference (2025), as well as Semi-Finalist in B Street Theatre’s new Comedies Festival (2019). “So blown away reading this script. It’s such a detailed, slice of life play,” said award-winning playwright Rachel Bublitz, “It gives us an incredibly focused look into the lives of the protagonist, the folks she’s calling, and the dead man she’s calling about, all in a one person show! Highly recommend this show. It’s funny and sad in all the best ways.”
The production of The Call List at Third Avenue Playworks will be directed by Jacob Janssen with scenic design by Alex Polzin, costume design by Kaoime Malloy, lighting design by Colin Gawronski, sound design by J Grover Hollway, props design by Haley Anne Cranstoun, and production stage management by Kelsey Brennan York.
In collaboration with Door Kinetic Arts Festival, there will be a post-show conversation around the process of bringing The Call List from the page to the stage, following the 7:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and featuring:
- Jacob Janssen – Jackie & Steve Kane Artistic Director at Third Avenue PlayWorks
- Brian James Polak – Playwright for The Call List
- Eva Nimmer – Actor in The Call List
- Eric Simonson – Creative Director for Door Kinetic Arts Festival
THE CAST
Eva Nimmer as Samantha Fischer
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
September 23 – October 11, 2026
Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Special matinee Friday, October 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Will Preview: Wednesday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Ticketed Preview: Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night: Friday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Post-Show Conversation: Friday, September 26 following the performance
Closing Day: Sunday, October 11, 2026
PRODUCTION AT A GLANCE
- Play Title: The Call List
- Playwright: Brian James Polak
- Date Information: September 23 – October 11, 2026
- Producing Organization: Third Avenue PlayWorks
- Location of Venue: Sturgeon Bay in Door County, Wisconsin
- Short Description: Meet Sam—a restless dreamer, anxious doodler, and professional wanderer in search of purpose. When her law firm boss hands her a simple list of names and one chilling task—call them all and announce a client’s death—her mundane workday takes a bizarre turn. Curiosity pulls Sam into a mystery that’s equal parts darkly funny and unexpectedly heartfelt. Armed with only her notebook and razor-sharp wit, she chases clues that lead to something far deeper – and more personal – than she expected.
- Director Name: Jacob Janssen
For more information about performances of The Call List at Third Avenue PlayWorks or to purchase tickets, visit thirdavenueplayworks.org/the-call-list or call the box office at (920) 743-1760.
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Click to Download Photos (Show photography available September 24th)
ABOUT BRIAN JAMES POLAK
Brian James Polak was born and raised in New Hampshire. His plays include Here Rests the Heart (Alcove commission from Lucille Lortel Theatre), This is the Subtext (commission from Son of Semele Ensemble), The Patient (Jean Kennedy Smith Award), Last to Die for a Lost Cause (John Cauble Award; published by Next Stage Press), The Call List (world premiere September 2026 with Third Avenue Playworks), and The Meeting (Hollywood Fringe, New York City Fringe, Space Pirates Theatre Collective). Brian received his MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Southern California, School of Dramatic Arts. Since 2015, Brian has hosted a podcast called The Subtext, where he interviews playwrights. The Subtext is presented monthly by American Theatre magazine. He currently resides in Minneapolis, MN with his wife Heather and their dog Hercules Mulligan.
ABOUT THIRD AVENUE PLAYWORKS
Located in downtown Sturgeon Bay, Third Avenue PlayWorks (TAP) presents riveting performances of comedies, dramas, and musicals in the Steve and Jackie Kane Theatre. This unique 124-seat space brings audiences face-to-face with powerful stories by creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible. With its ever-growing reputation, varied educational opportunities, and long-standing presence in the community, TAP is an integral part of Door County’s vibrant arts scene. TAP is Door County’s premier year-round professional theatre. For more information, visit thirdavenueplayworks.org.