Stone Soup's Guys on Ice Is Pure and Simple Fun

Guys on Ice stars (from left) Chris Kudlick as Lloyd, Ethan Westmoreland as
Ernie the Moocher and Jos Purvis as Marvin (photo by Gabrielle Tessier)

It's Christmastime, dear reader, and in the local theater scene, that means that Christmas shows are back in season. With the exception of a few companies, the Triangle theater scene is filled with a myriad of Scrooges, George Baileys, and holiday cabarets. For this reason, Stone Soup Theatre Company's Guys on Ice: An Ice-Fishing Musical stands out this season -- though the focus on friendships and good cheer is symbolic of the Christmas Spirit, you could just as easily call it "guys being dudes."

The story follows two friends, Marvin (played by Jos Purvis) and Lloyd (portrayed by Chris Kudlick) as they attempt to have a day of ice fishing in anticipation of a TV spot on a local channel. They drink, philosophize, and avoid Eddie the Moocher (played by Ethan Westmoreland). A simple enough premise, but the jokes, the songs, the direction of Melissa S. Craib Dombrowski, and the efforts of the entire cast and crew make the musical lovely to see.

Guys on Ice: An Ice-Fishing Musical stars Chris Kudlick (left) as Lloyd and Jos Purvis as Marvin (photo by Melissa Dombrowski)

For one thing, the show has a definite sense of place. As the play begins, the walls of the men's respective houses rotate to reveal the walls of the men's fishing shanty, covered with Green Bay Packers memorabilia, posters of various beer brands, a fishing net, and even a poster of Elvis, a favorite of Marvin's. There is even a small stove in the back of the shanty. In short, though the walls are a little shaky, the set looks lived in and homey for our protagonists.

The set is a testament to the talents of Melissa Dombrowski (who also designed the set), master carpenter Nathan Dickson, and ASM/props manager Nicky Carrington. Additionally, all actors adopt and maintain a Midwestern accent throughout the show -- seriously, they even keep the accent while singing! Shout out to Nick Malinowski for his work as dialect coach and the Radio Announcer -- the first voice we hear. Finally, the references to popular Wisconsin brands, shops, and staples (for example, Trading prop fish sandwiches, comparing Pabst and Leinenkugel's) really paint a picture of the world that Lloyd and Marvin inhabit.

Guys on Ice: An Ice-Fishing Musical stars Chris Kudlick (left) as Lloyd and Jos Purvis as Marvin (photo by Gabrielle Tessier)

However, it is the acting of Jos Purvis and Chris Kudlick that really sells this show. The banter between them is exceptionally natural -- watching them, you really feel as though you're looking in on a private conversation between long-time friends. Purvis' Marvin is definitely more outgoing than Kudlick's Lloyd, but both men have an excellent sense of comedic timing and are able to carry the show as they flit from conversations about work, love, the TV spot and, of course, fish.

These conversations are only interrupted by Ethan Westmoreland's Eddie, whose freeloading is as infuriating as it is realistic -- you love to hate him. Another point of praise for Westmoreland is his crowd work at the half-time show. His quips were a welcome addition as he quizzes the audience on Wisconsin culture and hands out illustrious prizes, such as a toy fish, a can of sardines, and a bobber.

Guys on Ice: An Ice-Fishing Musical stars Chris Kudlick (left) as Lloyd and Jos Purvis as Marvin (photo by Gabrielle Tessier)

Of course, I couldn't conclude this review without talking about the musical numbers. Dr. Joanna Sisk-Purvis, decked out in a hat and a Packers jersey, is music director and plays the keys for this production, expertly producing jaunty tunes for the actors to follow along with. I am happy to say that all three actors sounded lovely and, for the most part, executed their choreography well. For example, one of Marvin's songs, "The King," features Jos Purvis on main vocals as he dances around the shanty and concludes with him dancing with an ice stake as a stand-in for Marvin's love interest, Bonnie.

One of Lloyd's solos, "Everything Is New," features Kudlick on the harmonica as he waxes poetic about the changing landscape of his town. Finally, Westmoreland breaks out a ukulele and pretends to shred on a kazoo for his solos.

Guys on Ice: An-Ice Fishing Musical stars Chris Kudlick (left) as Lloyd and Jos Purvis as Marvin (photo by Gabrielle Tessier)

The actions in some songs aren't as strong -- for example, it seemed hard for the actors to nail the choreography for the zipper pulls in "Ode to a Snowmobile Suit" -- the power of the vocals, harmonies, and general carousing are a delight to watch.

In short, Guys on Ice: An Ice-Fishing Musical is a solid show overall and will make a lovely addition to your weekend. From the opening number to the last bows, it is a calm, yet entertaining journey. Come on out and bring a friend!

James Kaplan and Fred Alley's GUYS ON ICE: AN ICE FISHING MUSICAL (In Person at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21st and 22nd), directed by Melissa S. Craib Dombrowski, music directed by Dr. Joanna Sisk-Purvis, and starring Jos Purvis as Marvin, Chris Kudlick as Lloyd, Ethan Westmoreland as Ernie the Moocher, and Nick Malinowski as Radio Announcer (Stone Soup Theatre Company at Mettlesome Theater in Durham). PRESENTER: http://stonesouptheatreco.com/, https://www.facebook.com/StoneSoupTheatreCo, https://www.instagram.com/stonesouptheatreco/, and https://www.tiktok.com/@stonesouptheatre. 2024-25 SEASON: https://stonesouptheatreco.com/current-season/. VENUE: https://thisismettlesome.com/, http://www.facebook.com/thisismettlesome, http://instagram.com/hellomettlesome, and https://twitter.com/hellomettlesome. DIRECTIONS: https://thisismettlesome.com/location. GUYS ON ICE: AN ICE-FISHING MUSICAL (2001 musical comedy): https://www.guysonice.com/ and https://northernskytheater.com/show/guys-on-ice-2/. JAMES KAPLAN (composer): https://northernskytheater.com/james-kaplan/ and https://northernskytheater.com/show/guys-on-ice-2/ (scroll down). FRED ALLEY (playwright and lyricist, 1963-2001): https://northernskytheater.com/show/guys-on-ice-2/ (scroll down), https://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsA/alley-fred.php, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Alley. TICKETS: $30 ($25 students), plus taxes and fees, except Pay-What-You-Can Day at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19th. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-408-7228 or stonesouptheatreco@gmail.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: Stone Soup Theatre Company. Kurt Benrud's Triangle Review Review Permalink. Melissa Rooney's Triangle Review Review Permalink.

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