Favorite Show of the Year!
A Capitalistic Democratic Fundraiser
Our audiences (and actors) helped us pick the favorite show from our 2023 season, and, at the same time, helped us finish our fundraising year strong.
Final Vote Tally
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Final Voting Totals
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown - 152 Votes
Doing this show was amazing! I got to step up and take on new challenges while getting to work with an amazing group of actors and a phenomenal production team. Getting to take on such beloved characters and make them our own was such an amazing experience and it truly made my summer one to remember. – Gracie Kolb
I couldn't have gotten through the summer of Charlie Brown without my partner in crime Kevin James Sievert. We are very good at bouncing off ideas of each other and I think it made the production one step above other productions of this show. – Shannon Paige
Doing this show was amazing! I got to step up and take on new challenges while getting to work with an amazing group of actors and a phenomenal production team. Getting to take on such beloved characters and make them our own was such an amazing experience and it truly made my summer one to remember. – Gracie Kolb
I couldn't have gotten through the summer of Charlie Brown without my partner in crime Kevin James Sievert. We are very good at bouncing off ideas of each other and I think it made the production one step above other productions of this show. – Shannon Paige
Into the Woods - 97 Votes
This was one of the best shows I’ve been in. I was so lucky to be part of this ensemble. It gave me the chance to meet a lot of really cool people who are also passionate about the same things as me. It was also the most accepting theatre environment I’ve been in. The memories from this show will be something I look back on forever! - Phoenix McElroy
This show was an absolute bop! Not only was it an opportunity to reprise one of my absolute favorite roles ever, it was an opportunity to have such a mixed cast of veteran Forst Inn performers and fresh faces to the Forst Inn family, and by the end of the run, it really did feel like a family of performers, and that connection is part of why we do what we do! - Zach Glaeser
This was one of the most professional groups I’ve worked with. It was an eclectic group of varying levels of experience, but everyone came ready to work. It was a great first full experience onstage and I was honored to be included. – Emilee Carroll
Being a part of this production was a dream in so many ways…I never for a second stopped enjoying hearing it every night and I was in constant awe of this cast and their talents. The voices…the acting…we were so fortunate to have the perfect group for this beautiful show! – Carrie Counihan
This was one of the best shows I’ve been in. I was so lucky to be part of this ensemble. It gave me the chance to meet a lot of really cool people who are also passionate about the same things as me. It was also the most accepting theatre environment I’ve been in. The memories from this show will be something I look back on forever! - Phoenix McElroy
This show was an absolute bop! Not only was it an opportunity to reprise one of my absolute favorite roles ever, it was an opportunity to have such a mixed cast of veteran Forst Inn performers and fresh faces to the Forst Inn family, and by the end of the run, it really did feel like a family of performers, and that connection is part of why we do what we do! - Zach Glaeser
This was one of the most professional groups I’ve worked with. It was an eclectic group of varying levels of experience, but everyone came ready to work. It was a great first full experience onstage and I was honored to be included. – Emilee Carroll
Being a part of this production was a dream in so many ways…I never for a second stopped enjoying hearing it every night and I was in constant awe of this cast and their talents. The voices…the acting…we were so fortunate to have the perfect group for this beautiful show! – Carrie Counihan
Macbeth - 81 Votes
Performing and directing Shakespeare requires a special level of commitment from the actors and crew, and this group put their heart and soul and all they had into it. Tackling Shakespeare is a feat in itself, but add music, a band, fight choreography and basically, workshopping and new work…this cast went through a lot together to create what ended up being a rocking take on this classic. I am so proud of this project, this cast and what our Mackers family created! – Carrie Counihan
Courageous affirmation, fearless commitment, fierce talent and joyous celebration. Those are 4 of the many reasons MACBETH was my favorite Forst show of 2023. When I talked with Michael and shared my vision with him he didn’t hesitate. “Sure, let’s give it a try.” That immediate response instilled in me a confidence that I still feel today. I am forever grateful to the Forst and it’s commitment to it’s community. That fearless commitment was modeled by the company that came together to tell the story of MACBETH. Everyone involved was pushed beyond their comfort zone and to a person they were courageous, supportive, encouraging and more than a little patient with, what can politely be called, a challenging rehearsal process. The fierce talent on display beggars description. There are far too many specific instances to list but for the purposes of this message I will highlight our music Director. The band, the music rehearsals, the songs that HE WROTE, and just him. FIERCE!!! As for joyous celebration, taking a curtain call to Crazy Train, nuff said. I’m looking forward to the next one. Michael, let’s talk. - Ross Dippel
Performing and directing Shakespeare requires a special level of commitment from the actors and crew, and this group put their heart and soul and all they had into it. Tackling Shakespeare is a feat in itself, but add music, a band, fight choreography and basically, workshopping and new work…this cast went through a lot together to create what ended up being a rocking take on this classic. I am so proud of this project, this cast and what our Mackers family created! – Carrie Counihan
Courageous affirmation, fearless commitment, fierce talent and joyous celebration. Those are 4 of the many reasons MACBETH was my favorite Forst show of 2023. When I talked with Michael and shared my vision with him he didn’t hesitate. “Sure, let’s give it a try.” That immediate response instilled in me a confidence that I still feel today. I am forever grateful to the Forst and it’s commitment to it’s community. That fearless commitment was modeled by the company that came together to tell the story of MACBETH. Everyone involved was pushed beyond their comfort zone and to a person they were courageous, supportive, encouraging and more than a little patient with, what can politely be called, a challenging rehearsal process. The fierce talent on display beggars description. There are far too many specific instances to list but for the purposes of this message I will highlight our music Director. The band, the music rehearsals, the songs that HE WROTE, and just him. FIERCE!!! As for joyous celebration, taking a curtain call to Crazy Train, nuff said. I’m looking forward to the next one. Michael, let’s talk. - Ross Dippel
The Vagina Monologues - 36 Votes
I have performed in this production two previous times, but Erin’s vision for this one was spot on. It made the subject matters and characters so relatable for the audiences and presented it in a realistic, fun, empathetic and empowering way. The various casts bonded and supported each other in a very special way. I’m glad it will continue to be brought back for the Forst audiences because the messages will forever need to be heard. – Carrie Counihan
I have performed in this production two previous times, but Erin’s vision for this one was spot on. It made the subject matters and characters so relatable for the audiences and presented it in a realistic, fun, empathetic and empowering way. The various casts bonded and supported each other in a very special way. I’m glad it will continue to be brought back for the Forst audiences because the messages will forever need to be heard. – Carrie Counihan
Godspell - 25 Votes
Godspell has always held a special place in my heart and this production just added to it. This cast was wonderful to work with and so very talented. We were one big family and everyone was always supportive and inclusive. A favorite memory would have to be sharing this show with my dad who played the drums in our amazing pit. - Tessa Jindra
Godspell has always held a special place in my heart and this production just added to it. This cast was wonderful to work with and so very talented. We were one big family and everyone was always supportive and inclusive. A favorite memory would have to be sharing this show with my dad who played the drums in our amazing pit. - Tessa Jindra
Murder in Green Meadows - 15 Votes
I had a really great experience with this show. Phillip was gracious enough to let me attend rehearsals and he and the cast made it a safe and fun environment. It was incredible that even through the last performance, we all still had theories and “what ifs” with the text. Truly a great production to work on. – Emilee Carroll
This show was hands down one of the best scripts I've had to work with. With such a small cast we got the time to really learn more about each other and build a trust that this show requires. I loved hearing the audiences reaction right before intermission. I also loved that we did a talk back for this show. I loved hearing what everyone thought and how they thought the story was going to play out. – Tessa Jindra
Since there was a bit of physicality in this show it was a great experience learning how to do that with my fellow actor (Shannon) without crossing any boundaries but also still making it look real. The director, Philip, did a fantastic job coaching us on that aspect. I also remember that an audience member staying after for the Talk-Back and then refusing to shake my hand, saying she was still really creeped out by my character. - Christian Love
I had a really great experience with this show. Phillip was gracious enough to let me attend rehearsals and he and the cast made it a safe and fun environment. It was incredible that even through the last performance, we all still had theories and “what ifs” with the text. Truly a great production to work on. – Emilee Carroll
This show was hands down one of the best scripts I've had to work with. With such a small cast we got the time to really learn more about each other and build a trust that this show requires. I loved hearing the audiences reaction right before intermission. I also loved that we did a talk back for this show. I loved hearing what everyone thought and how they thought the story was going to play out. – Tessa Jindra
Since there was a bit of physicality in this show it was a great experience learning how to do that with my fellow actor (Shannon) without crossing any boundaries but also still making it look real. The director, Philip, did a fantastic job coaching us on that aspect. I also remember that an audience member staying after for the Talk-Back and then refusing to shake my hand, saying she was still really creeped out by my character. - Christian Love
A Musings Christmas Carol - 15 Votes
The Rocky Horror Show - 6 Votes
Rocky Horror is unlike any show out there - and this production was no exception. The cast, crew, and pit (and the audience!) came together to put on a new, exciting show for each performance. I’ve gotten so much feedback on people wanting it to be a yearly production!! – Emilee Carroll
Rocky Horror is unlike any show out there - and this production was no exception. The cast, crew, and pit (and the audience!) came together to put on a new, exciting show for each performance. I’ve gotten so much feedback on people wanting it to be a yearly production!! – Emilee Carroll
A Wrinkle in Time - 6 Votes
Performing in this was a childhood dream come true…having the chance to bring these characters to life! It was a great kick off to the season and highlighted a strong, passionate cast and the Forst’s ability to create brilliant special effects and costumes in our little space tucked in Tisch Mills. – Carrie Counihan
Performing in this was a childhood dream come true…having the chance to bring these characters to life! It was a great kick off to the season and highlighted a strong, passionate cast and the Forst’s ability to create brilliant special effects and costumes in our little space tucked in Tisch Mills. – Carrie Counihan
Waiting for Godot - 5 Votes
This was an amazing complex and interesting show. I had the opportunity to work for the first time with some amazing actors that truly brought this existential masterpiece to life! I was humbled share the stage with such an amazing cast under some inspired directing! - Dan Sallinen
This was an amazing complex and interesting show. I had the opportunity to work for the first time with some amazing actors that truly brought this existential masterpiece to life! I was humbled share the stage with such an amazing cast under some inspired directing! - Dan Sallinen
Dog Sees God - 5 Votes
