Third Avenue PlayWorks announced the return of several special events attached to the plays in the downtown Sturgeon Bay theater company’s 2026 season and added a couple of new events as well, starting with the season-opening run of “Heroes” from April 22 to May 10. Here’s a look at them.
Pay-What-You-Will Previews
As has been a TAP tradition for years, theatergoers can attend a preview performance of the coming TAP show the Wednesday before its opening night and pay any donation amount they want, with half of the proceeds going to the preview’s designated community partner.
The preview shows start at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., seating is general admission and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations may be made with cash or checks made out to Third Avenue PlayWorks.
The previews and partners are:
Wisconsin Cheese Masters Wine Nights
One of TAP’s new events, Wine Nights are held held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each show’s run. Guests get three tastings and a full pour from von Stiehl Winery in Algoma and complimentary cheeses from sponsor Wisconsin Cheese Masters in Egg Harbor. Separate tickets are needed for Wine Night admission; tickets are $15 each and do not include a theater ticket.
Dates are April 23 for the run of “Heroes,” June 4 for “Moonlight and Magnolias,” July 16 for “Red Herring,” Sept. 24 for “The Call List” and Dec. 3 for “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Door County.”
Bite the Farm Opening Night Receptions
Ticket holders for the official opening night of each show, the first Friday of its run, can sample gluten-free desserts from locally sourced food truck and mobile caterer Bite the Farm before the show, then join TAP artistic director Jacob Janssen for a champagne toast in the lobby of the Jackie & Steve Kane theater after the show. The actors also will mingle with patrons in the lobby.
Dates are April 24 for the run of “Heroes,” June 5 for “Moonlight and Magnolias,” July 17 for “Red Herring,” Sept. 25 for “The Call List” and Dec. 4 for “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Door County.”
Young Professionals Networking
The other new event in TAP’s season allows young professionals (ages younger than 40) the chance to come to the theater for a fun networking mixer at 5 p.m. before the second Wednesday performance for each show. It is free to attend (cash for concessions) but space is limited and RSVPs are appreciated. Those who RSVP will receive a discount code to purchase tickets to the show, and a pair of tickets will be given to one participant in a business card drawing.
Dates are April 29 for the run of “Heroes,” June 10 for “Moonlight and Magnolias,” July 22 for “Red Herring,” Sept. 30 for “The Call List” and Dec. 9 for “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Door County.”
Sturgeon Bay Library Play Reading Club
Theater buffs can read the script of a play and join TAP artistic director Jacob Janssen for a discussion held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. Participants can call the Sturgeon Bay Library at 920-746-7121 to get a copy of the script and join the discussion at the library, 107 S. Fourth Ave., or via Zoom.
Dates are May 20 for “Moonlight and Magnolias” by Ron Hutchinson, June 17 for “The Piano Lesson” by August Wilson, July 15 for “Red Herring” by Michael Hollinger, Aug. 19 for “Clyde’s” by Lynne Nottage, Sept. 16 for “The Call List” by Brian James Polak, Oct. 21 for “Before the Mountains of Madness” by David Daniels, Nov. 18 for “M. Butterfly” by David Henry Hwang and Dec. 16 for “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Neil Brookshire.
Check Out TAP
Check Out TAP is a community ticket access program in partnership with the Door County Library system that strives to make theater accessible to everyone in Door County by allowing those who might not be able to afford a ticket to “check out” tickets for a TAP show from a Door County library branch.
Those who want to take part need to be Door County Library members and request tickets within two weeks of the show. They can visit the counter at any of the eight Door County Library branches to receive a pass that can be redeemed for two tickets to a TAP show. Recipients should then call the box office to make a reservation for their preferred date and let the box know they have a library pass, which they should bring to the box office up to one hour prior to the show’s start time to exchange for the tickets. There is a limit of one “Check Out” pass per person per season.
FYI
Third Avenue PlayWorks performances are held in its Kane Theatre, 239 N. Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay. For tickets or more information about shows and events at TAP, call 920-743-1760 or visit thirdavenueplayworks.org. To learn more about the Check Out TAP program, visit thirdavenueplayworks.org/check-out-tap.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County theater company announces special events for 2026 season
Reporting by Christopher Clough, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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