*Goofy* *'Guys on Ice'* *has moments of disarming emotion* By Kerry Clawson Beacon Journal arts writer December 2, 2015 - 05:56 PM It seems I’ve mellowed out over the last six years, considering I found the goofy little musical *Guys on Ice* more entertaining this time around than I did holiday season, has a barely-there story and mostly schlocky tunes that attempt to hold the lightweight 90-minute show together. But this show knows how to laugh at its own lame hinterland humor in a story about friendship between ice fisherman in a shanty on Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin. Director *MaryJo Alexander* made a preshow disclaimer about the “groaner” jokes that would be coming and even offered a choice few herself as she led the audience in practicing their groans. The show stars the *ever-funny Frank Jackman**,* who, even when his character Lloyd is over-emoting as he bursts into song, has a bright spirit that shines through. He created an authentically disarming moment with the emotional ballad *Everything is New**,* a tune about the beauty of ice fishing early in the morning when the rest of world is asleep. *Bob Keefe also is fully invested* in his simpleton character Marvin, whose main goal in life is to win the heart of a cashier at the Pick ‘N’ Save. The two share some inspired moves via synchronized Velcro and zipper sound effects as they perform *Ode to a Snowmobile Suit**.* Most of the ditties are rudimentary fare with vamping chords, with one of the funnier ones from Ernie the Moocher (Shawn Galligan) being *Leine’s Is the Best Beer*, an ode to Leinenkugel’s. *Shawn Galligan is cute* as Ernie the Moocher, working the audience over nicely with a “halftime” audience-interaction game show of Wisconsin trivia. Prizes range from a “one-pack” of Leinenkugel’s to a pickle. He’s such a cheerful mooch and is so ridiculous on the ukulele, we like him even though Lloyd and Marvin don’t. *Guys on Ice* premiered in 1998 at American Folklore Theatre in northern Wisconsin’s Door County, written by the late Fred Alley with music by James Kaplan. Besides its reprise at *Actors’ Summit*, it is also playing at the *Milwaukee** Re*p for the holidays. In Akron, theatergoers seeking a seriously silly holiday production just may find this show their cup of tea. Tickets for Guys On Ice is are available online at www.actorssummit. org. Or call 330-374-7568. *The show runs thru Dec. 20th, 2015. * -- *MaryJo Alexander* *Artistic Director* *Actors' Summit Theater* *Greystone Hall---6th floor* *103 S. High St* *Akron Oh 44308 * *330-374-7568* *www.actorssummit.org <http://www.actorssummit.org/>*