Fools
by Neil Simon
Fools is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Show Information & Parking
October 2, 3, 9, 10 at 7:30 PM
October 4, 11 at 2:00 PM
The show will be at:
Liberace Auditorium at the
West Milwaukee Intermediate School
51st & Greenfield Ave.
West Allis, WI
Buy your tickets by clicking here! *Note: This will open a new window.
Parking can be had in the school lot off of 52nd Street, or on any of the streets surrounding the school.
You can either enter the main auditorium doors off of Greenfield, or from the North doors off the school lot. If you enter from the north doors, just follow our signage to get to the auditorium.
Once we’re closer to the show opening, you can read the full program by clicking HERE. You can read bios of our cast, see what our director has to stay, hear from our board president, find out who we owe thanks to for the show wouldn’t be possible with out them, as well as all those other program like things!
Cast Bio’s
Nate Press (Leon Tolchinsky): Nate is an actor in and around Milwaukee and has performed for numerous theater groups throughout the years. Some of his favorite previous roles include Jason in Clyde’s with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Tim in The Good Father with Milwaukee Irish Arts, and Ned/Walker Janeway in Three Days of Rain with Carte Blanche Studios. There are many more favorites he could mention, but who has the time? Nate is also passionate about controlling the feral cat population in Milwaukee and encourages you to visit www.catsatlargemke.org to find out how you can volunteer and/or adopt. Welcome to Kulyenchikov!
Tyler Peters (Snetsky, the Shepherd): Tyler’s excited to be making his “foolish” debut with West Allis Players. Tyler has performed in other local community theater productions over the last 12 years; his most recent role was in Edison’s Last Breath at Inspiration Studios as Josh. He gives thanks to his family, friends, and girlfriend Maddy for their continued love and support.
Bill Kaiser (Magistrate): Bill is happy to be on-stage in another West Allis Players show. Bill has performed and directed shows in the Milwaukee area for over 50 years. He has worked alongside his wife Pat theatrically for the past 47 years and is happy to have her running the lights and sound for this show.
Kate Carpenter (Slovitch, the Butcher):Kate is enjoying playing the fool in this production. Theatre involvement has been a joy in her life so far, beginning with playing the lead in Caps for Sale in preschool. She tends to find herself in comedies, playing roles like the archangel Michael in In the Beginning and Dora del Rio in Suite Surrender. Being Jo in Little Women was delightful as well. Thanks to the hardworking cast and crew of Fools for making this another memorable production!
Paul Pfannenstiel (Mishkin, the Postman): Paul has never been a postman on stage before. He has been a cop, doctor, sailor, soldier, political hack among other professions. He most recently played Lt. Schranke in West Side Story with the West Allis Players. He wants to let you know he only rings once.
Ash Mulholland (Yencha, the Vendor): Ash has returned to Kulyenchikov for the second with the West Allis Players after 3 years since her time with a different role when she performed at the Cardinal Stritch Theater Alumni production of Fools (2023). This is her ninth overall production with the West Allis Players with her first being featured in a play. Other credentials include A Broadway Journey 2 (2025) as a performer, Evita (2018) as ensemble, and Jesus Christ Superstar (2017) being a soul girl, apostle, and ensemble member. She has worked in many productions and cabaret performances with Pink Umbrella Theater Company, All in Productions, and Theatrical Tendencies. Be sure to check her actor website at ashmulholland.com.
Karl Miller (Dr. Zubritsky): Karl has performed with many professional and community companies over the past 47 years. Some current favorite shows and roles include, Newsies (Pulitzer), The Odd Couple (Speed), Grand Hotel (Kringelein), Sunset Boulevard (Sheldrake) and A Chorus Line (Bobby). Other past favorites include Chicago, The Shadow Box, Blood Brothers, Man of La Mancha, Cat Among the Pigeons, La Cage Aux Folles and Kiss of the Spider Woman to name a few. Enjoy the foolishness!
Donna McMaster (Lenya Zubritsky): Donna is so pleased to be back on the West Allis stage after an absence of over 5 years. She has been involved in many aspects of local community theater for over 40 years. She is enjoying her time working with this wonderful and talented director, cast, and crew. She enjoys playing these kinds of quirky characters. She hopes the audience has as much fun watching the show as we all had putting it together.
Alexandra Smith (Sophia Zubritsky): Alexandra is so excited to be making her West Allis Players debut! She has graduated from UW – Green Bay with a Bachelor degree in Theatre Performance. During the day Alexandra works as a teacher at Apple Ridge Academy. Some of her credits include Pippin (Mansion Trio), Measure for Measure (Isabella), and She Kills Monsters (Agnes).
Ben Kennedy (Gregor Yousekevitch): Ben Kennedy makes his triumphant return to the stage as Count Gregor Yousekevitch in Fools. Previous credits include A Scandal in Bohemia (King of Bohemia). When not onstage, Ben enjoys torturing his players at the Gaming Table. He is in awe of the talent accumulated in this show and hopes you all enjoy your stay in Kulyenchikov.
Crew Bio’s:
Robert A. Zimmerman (Director): has been a part of the Milwaukee theatre scene for over four decades. He has worked under many theatrical hats – actor, playwright, set designer, graphics, producer and other dramatic chapeaus. He is returning to Neil Simon’s Fools after directing it 42 years ago for Waukesha Civic Theatre!
Past directorial work includes Baker Street – The Musical, 1940’s Radio Hour, The Pirates of Penzance, Dial M for Murder, and Immortal from Bill Jackson’s Table For Three trilogy, which featured Nate Press – Leon Tolchinsky in this evening’s offering.
Bob is ever-grateful for decades of support from his amazing kids, dear friends and especially, Jude VanMeter, who is invaluable to both himself and this production.
Melissa Bekkers (Stage Manager): Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from UW-Parkside, with concentrations in acting, directing, and stage management. She has worked backstage in many areas, with credits including Milwaukee Rep’s Man of La Mancha and The Glass Menagerie, Barrington Stage Company’s American Son and The Pirates of Penzance, as well as stage management work at UW-Parkside. Fools is her first production with WAP, and she has had a blast working with this cast and crew!
Tom Pluskota (Construction Manager): Tom is a retired handyman who is broadening his horizons by working on his first theatre production. He is looking forward to seeing the final results of everyone’s hard work and hopes you enjoy the show!
Mike VanDresser (Lighting Designer): This is Mike’s second design with the West Allis Players. His first was The Stranger.
Scott Fudali (Sound Designer): Scott Fudali has been working on the technical side of theater for over 15 years designing lights, sound, and sets for different organizations including Carroll University, Waukesha Civic Theatre and The West Allis Players. Some of his favorite designs have included 33 Variations, Music Man and 42nd Street at WCT and Rumors and Jesus Christ Superstar with the West Allis Players. He hopes you enjoy the show and would like to thank his wife and parents for their continued support in all his theatre endeavors.
Shawn Anderson (Costume Designer): Shawn is happy to be back to costume her third show with the West Allis Players, following Prescription Murder and The Stranger. She hopes you will enjoy the FOOLish costumes! Shawn is grateful to her family for their continual support as she helps to create these incredible shows.
Pat Breed Kaiser (Lighting/Sound Technician): Pat is happy to once again be running the lights and sound for another West Allis Players production. She always enjoys working on a show when she gets the chance to work with her husband Bill (Magistrate) who is the “light” of her life.
Pat Kerhin (Properties): Pat is thrilled to be back working with the WA Players after doing props for West Side Story. She is also props master for Longfellow Middle School and WAWM Youth Theater’s next musical production Something Rotten. She is retired from Florence Eiseman Childrenswear and the WAWM school board. Enjoy the show! The cast is amazing and it is sure to tickle your funny bone.