Not Just a Musical About Sports

Bob Zimmerman as Frank Kosinski in Dad's Season Tickets. Photo credit: Anne Kenny Creative

A review of Dad's Season Tickets

by DevinReigh Endries, age 14

To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot from a musical about the Green Bay Packers, but this show was beyond any and all of my expectations. This show had elements of humour, love, family dynamics, and of course sports. It kept me and all my other audience members on the edge of our seats. And to top it off, this show is enjoyable for all ages. Everyone can find something to love about this show, even non sports fans. 

The show kicks off with a number about living in Green Bay, then goes straight into a heartfelt monologue by main character Frank Kosinski (Bob Zimmerman), that is guaranteed to pull at the heart strings of everyone in the audience. Again we go back to the whole family singing about how much the Packers mean to this family, then we get to know our three daughters that the story is centered around, Rhonda Kosinski (Jenavieve Plutz), the oldest of the Kosinski girls, Gabby Kosinski (Sierra Rottier), the middle child who is portrayed to be the biggest Packer fan of the three girls and is also pregnant throughout the story, and finally Cordy (Cordelia) Kosinski (Mariah Kiefer) who is applying to colleges around the country for journalism. Then following behind them are the two eldest daughters’ husbands, Edgar (John Rottier) and Ralph (Mark Thompson), Edgar being a college professor and Ralph being a football-obsessed husband. 

Throughout the story you get to feel the Kosinski family dynamic and see how even when sibling rivalry and opposing opinions can get the best of people, the Packers can unite even the most different of people. Notable moments throughout the show are Sierra Rottier's performance as Gabby Kosinski, whose vocal performance was outstanding and perfectly portrayed her middle sibling energy, giving the entire audience chills, and her real-life spouse John Rottier’s performance as Edgar, showcasing how devoted this character is to his wife. 

Another notable feature of this show is the live pit atop the set. Being visible to the audience the entire time, decked in cheesehead pride, they helped this spectacular production come to life with their lively performances and acting. And finally I want to shout out the fantastic director for making this amazing show happen, from the tiny details of Edgar always having a book, to the classic Wisconsin cabin interior of the set.  

In conclusion, this show is an amazing fall show to see with all members of the family, with thundersticks provided at the entrance for applause to give it that authentic football field feeling. Every detail of this show makes it better, and it’s a show that I would see over and over again and still laugh.

Dad's Season Tickets runs now through September 29th at the Waukesha Civic Theatre.