SWING!

Tickets: $25-$37; Preshow music one hour before curtain.
(Tickets include a $4.00 Musical Licensing Fee)
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Fridays: September 12, 19
Pub opens 5:30; Performance at 7:00
Saturdays: September 6, 13, 20
Pub opens 3:00; Performance at 4:30
Matinee Sundays: September 7, 14, 21
Pub opens 12:30; Performance at 2:00
This production made possible by the generous support of Mark and Michelle Klaiber.
A high-energy celebration of the swing era, packed with dazzling dance, sizzling big-band music, and infectious joy. Featuring jazz standards and timeless classics, the show highlights the rhythms and moves that defined a generation—from the Lindy Hop to the Jitterbug—while showcasing powerhouse vocalists and breathtaking choreography. More than just a concert or a dance revue, SWING! is a vibrant tribute to America’s uniquely homegrown art form, guaranteed to have audiences tapping their toes and leaving the theater grinning.

Preshow Music
Lee Nudelman on Jazz Piano
New to show business, Phillip Beiser is a very experienced dancer and active member in the social dancing community. Phillip has been dancing for almost four years which consists of Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing. Phillip began learning how to dance a few years after his wife passed away from breast cancer when he met his dancing teacher, Rosie. With no dance studio nor adequate space to use, Phillip learned how to dance Ballroom, Latin, and Swing at his teacher's house in her tiny kitchen. From there, Phillip continued into the social dancing space where he has met many great friends from the Latin, Ballroom, Swing, and West Coast Swing communities that have help expanded and refined his dancing skills and experiences. 
​Since the passing of his wife, Phillip has been taking on life's opportunities and new experiences. Today, he works as a Correctional Officer at a Wisconsin State Prison, trains in Krav Maga Self-defense, and has started up a business of his own. Phillip would like to thank his dance teacher, Rosie Rohm, for her patience, dedication, and hard work in her lessons. Phillip would also like to thank his friend and dance partner, Jacqueline Welsh, whom he met through ballroom dancing, for inviting him to audition and do this musical with her. Finally, Phillip is thankful to Phillip and Tessa Jindra, for giving him this amazing opportunity to be a part of this Musical as his first show.
Maddie Dramm is excited to be dancing her way onto the stage in her first production with The Forst Inn! Maddie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay this past May with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Dance. She has been involved in the Manitowoc theatre community for many years with organizations including The Masquers Inc., KB Productions, and Treehouse Theater. Maddie trained at Jean Wolfmeyer’s School of Dance where she performed in annual recitals and productions of The Nutcracker. She has also choreographed pieces for UWGB’s Showcase of Dance, Treehouse Theater, and the Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance. 
Although not new to dancing, learning the style of Swing has been an awesome challenge. Maddie would like to thank Phil and Tessa for their direction, choreography, and teaching such a fun style of dance, as well as her dance partner Karter for being the best chef to her maid! She hopes you enjoy the show and remember, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that Swing!!
Addison Fowler is so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such a swinging musical! Addison was introduced to jazz music when she met her boyfriend, Sam Oswald, who is an extremely talented jazz musician. Ever since, she has fallen in love with it! She feels extremely lucky to be able to sing so many amazing jazz standards throughout the show, but her favorite would have to be Stomping at The Savoy! Being a part of this production has tested and challenged her, but all of the trials and tribulations were very much worth it! One of the most rewarding things, though, is getting to share the stage with her mom, Melissa Wendorf. 
Watching her mom grow throughout the show and push herself to learn challenging choreography (and remember to smile while doing it) makes her heart sing! ;) She hopes that you enjoy the show and remember to snap on the 2 and 4!
Phillip Jindra (Director) is very proud of what this ensemble has accomplished. Many of the dancers had never swing danced prior to joining this production. Swing is free and expressive, and Phillip wholeheartedly believes that everyone can swing dance. But don't let that undermine the technical proficiency and hours of intense physical practice that went into the choreography for this production. Everyone on this stage--singers, dancers, and musicians--has pushed their limits and challenged themselves in new ways. Phillip played drums for jazz band in middle school and high school and solidified his love for jazz music and swing at Lawrence University.
 There he fell in love with Swing Dancing and became the Lessons Coordinator and President of the Swing Dance club. Phillip is grateful to all of his swing dance friends and instructors he's learned from over the years, and especially to his forever dance partner Tessa, without whom this production would not have been possible. ​
Tessa Komorowski Jindra (Choreographer) is from the Manitowoc WI area and has been involved in many productions with Peter Quince Performing Company, Masquers, UW Manitowoc, The Forst Inn, and On the Spot Theater Company. Some of Tessa's stand out roles include “Bakers Wife" In Into the Woods, “Gabby/Bobbi" in City of Angels, “Drowsy” in The Drowsy Chaperone, "Inga” in Young Frankenstein and "Carolyn Symons" in Murder In Green Meadows. Tessa has been swing dancing for over a decade with her husband and director Phillip Jindra. 
Swing dancing is a big part of Tessa's life and she is excited to share it with all of you. She would like to thank the entire cast for trying something new and really embracing swing dancing. This cast has worked so hard and she's excited for everyone to see them shine. She would also like to thank Micheal for giving us the space to finally do this show and Phillip Jindra for trusting her with the choreography. Don't forget! Snap on two and four!!
Erin LaFond (Laura) fell in love with singing swing and jazz music when she was asked to be a guest soloist for the Lakeshore Big Band back in 2004. She is convinced that she was born in the wrong era, as she enjoys 1940s fashion, music, and history.  Erin's favorite parts of this process were watching the dancers rehearse and getting to sing really tight, crunchy harmonies with Addison, Ash, and Sam. Erin would like to thank her sons, Archer and Jasper, for enduring all the car rehearsals they've been subjected to, and Jeff and Gary for being her biggest fans.
Karter Mueller is thrilled to be a part of the talented dance ensemble for Swing! the musical! Karter has been an avid actor , and production team member at The Forst Inn & other local theater companies for about 3 years now - being involved in over 30 shows! Although this is the first time he has participated in a show, solely dancing! Swing dancing is NOT something he ever thought he’d get into, much less be performing on stage for people to watch! 
He wants to take a moment to thank Tessa & Phil for being so patient & helpful through this entire process & his dance partner Maddie for being patient with his steps on the wrong foot constantly through the rehearsal process! Also a special shout out to Asher(Everett) , his fiancé, for allowing him to pull him around his living room to practice his complicated dance feature! Sit back , enjoy the show & don’t be afraid to make some noise!
Jessica Oppeneer is incredibly excited to be a part of the Swing dance ensemble! Despite having very little dance training herself, Jessica has always been enchanted by dancers’ ability to convey stories and emotions just by moving their bodies to music. She has been fortunate to practice this skill as part of the ensembles of the Forst’s Young Frankenstein and Masquers’ Camelot and Something Rotten over the past year and a half, and she’s over the moon (and a little overwhelmed!) at how much more she’s learned as a part of Swing. 
Jessica would like to thank Phil and Tessa for inviting her to be a part of this fun show and for their unending patience in teaching this ragtag group of performers how to swing dance. She also needs to thank her dance partner, Britt, for supporting her both emotionally and physically throughout the show. These songs have been stuck in her head for the past six weeks, and now it’s your turn. Enjoy the show!
Sam Oswald is thrilled to take the stage in Swing! The Musical as one of the production’s featured vocalists, bandleader, and music director. Having participated in many shows at The Forst Inn, Sam feels particularly connected to this production because of his lifelong passion for jazz music.  Jazz has always been a wide and colorful umbrella, and within it, swing has held a special place in his heart.  Bringing this music to life in such a vibrant, theatrical setting is both a personal joy and a professional highlight.  In addition to performing, Sam has cherished the opportunity to work closely with both the singers and instrumentalists who make up the show’s musical core. 
​He is proud of the fearlessness with which they approached a score that is as complex as it is exhilarating. He also deeply admires the dancers, whose tireless dedication and countless hours of rehearsal have created an electric visual counterpart to the music.  Swing! The Musical is more than a show—it is a celebration of community, collaboration, and the timeless energy of swing.  Sam hopes audiences leave with the same sense of joy that he and his fellow performers felt in bringing it to life.
Jenna Schamburek is so excited to be swinging her way into her first Forst Inn show! She currently works in sterile processing at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital but in her free time, She likes playing games or watching Kpop content with her faming, dancing, acting, or singing. Shes also been involved in other organizations such as Treehouse Theatre, Masquers, Peter Quince Performing Company, Jean Wolfmeyer School of Dance and the Manitowoc County Figure Skating Club.
 Some of her roles she enjoyed playing were the singing egg in Masquers production of Something Rotten, Tamatoas right claw in Treehouses Moana Jr, and featured dancer in PQPCs production of Joseph. She’d like to thank the directing staff for this opportunity. It’s been such a great experience! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy Swing!
Britt Simmer is always a sucker for a good dance ensemble, but is not a naturally gifted dancer. So learning more about the different styles of swing has been a fun challenge. Britt is grateful for Phill and Tessa encouraging them to audition for Swing! and for all of the extra rehearsals, videos, written descriptions and more that the pair provided. They'd also like to thank their dance partner Jessica, for being game to try anything and always keeping them both on the same wavelength. You may have seen Britt in past fall musicals at the Forst Inn such as Fun Home, Cabaret, Into the Woods, and RENT. 
Groove along with us while enjoying Swing! and remember - snap on the two and four! ​
Joey Simmons is proud to return to the Forst Inn stage in Swing! The Musical, portraying the roles of Scott and Robert. He recently appeared at the Forst Inn as Dr. Bradman in Blithe Spirit. Prior to this production, Joey had no experience with swing dancing, and he has deeply enjoyed learning it through this vibrant celebration of the swing era. He is honored to be part of a show that pays tribute to the enduring legacy of this era of music and dance.
Asher Stokes is excited to to be part of this more unique show! Although he has a wide variety of theatre experiences under his belt from the last decade on the stage, swing music was admittedly NOT in his wheelhouse. Prior to this show the only swing music Ash had really been a part of was in highschool jazz band. That said, he is proud of what he has learned and how far he has come throughout this process. Ash would like to shoutout his fiance, Karter (dance ensemble) for keeping him sane everytime he said “I’m never going to get this right”.
As always, Ash would also like to thank the Forst Inn for being a safe space to artists and actors of all shapes and sizes. ~ It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.
Jacqueline Welsh is returning to the Forst Inn after making her debut this year with The Masquers in Camelot and the St John Players with Our Town.  Some of her favorite roles have been Emily Webb (Our Town), Lady Death aka Flores! and THE Nurse (A Streetcar Named Desire), a rather spicy Peaseblossom (A Midsummer’s Night Dream), & Lady Sybil and Shy Fairy, (Camelot). She's happiest sharing her passion for the arts in all its many forms, singing, dancing and teaching. She'd like to thank her family, friends, directors and castmates for their guidance, love and support through this dancing journey. 
She is thrilled to be part of this lighthearted production, even if it does take her breath away at times. The dips, the spins, the music..draw us back into bygone days of dancing just for the fun of it! "The Mood" is set, we're ready to "Bounce" & "Swing" Let's enjoy the show together. And a 1... and 2.. and a 3!
Missie Wendorf is thrilled (and slightly out of breath) to be part of Swing! She’s embraced all the dancing—even if her knees sometimes disagree—and is especially grateful to her partner, Joey, for his patience with her lack of skill and memory. But being able to Share the stage with her daughter Addison makes every dizzying spin worth it. She hopes you enjoy the show.
Artistic Team
Phillip Jindra - Director
Tessa Komorowski Jindra - Choreographer
Sam Oswald - Music Director
Emilee Carroll - Asst Director
Kevin James Sievert - Lighting
Gavin Annette - Properties
Claran LaViolette - Costumes
Jeff LaFond - Sound
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Ticket Pricing is Set by Table Type
Saver Tables (Orange Tables) $24 Youth, $28 Senior/Student/Military; $32 Adult
Tier One Tables (Blue Tables) $24 Youth, $33 Senior/Student/Military; $37 Adult
​Click on seats to select ticket type and reserve. 
Note that All Event Passes and ticket vouchers are valid for any seat at this event.
​Tables 12 & 23 are good options for wheelchair or limited mobility access.
Tables 40, 41, and 45 are high top tables with comfy, padded bar stools.