The world premiere of a musical you can see at Peninsula State Park beginning next week will carry extra meaning to all involved with the production. Rehearsals for “The Fish Whisperer” have been going on for about three weeks already with the cast and crew taking the show to the outdoor amphitheater for the first time on Monday. “The Fish Whisperer,” written by Scott Guy, Robin Share, Dan Wessels, and Ron Barnett in association with New Musicals, Inc., is about a small Wisconsin town where fishing is king and the fish that help drive tourism stop biting. The story weaves its way through the town and a person who claims they can help for a $10,000 fee. The musical is not just a part of Northern Sky Theater’s summer outdoor season, but also a part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a festival encompassing original works across the state. Artistic Director Jeffrey Herbst says the trust they have developed with their audiences helps make world premieres performed at Northern Sky Theater work for everyone.

The first performance of “The Fish Whisperer” will take place on June 14th and will alternate performances with the familiar but revamped “Cheeseheads: The Musical.” Herbst is optimistic about the upcoming season, citing high ticket sales and low COVID numbers across the state.