"Now and Then" at GBCT: A Gentle Reminder to Cherish the Stage That Brings Us Together
- Travis J. Vanden Heuvel
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
October 8, 2025 | Green Bay, WI
Now and Then at Green Bay Community Theater
Some places feel like a deep breath. Green Bay Community Theater is one of those places. Step inside the +100-year-old former church turned playhouse and you’ll feel it; the wood that’s heard a century of stories, the quiet hum of volunteers who welcome you like neighbors, the sense that something good is about to happen.
That’s where I found myself for Now and Then, a thoughtful dramatic comedy by Sean Grennan, the same playwright who brought us The Tin Woman. At first, the story unfolds softly, almost unassumingly. It’s 1981, and Jamie (played with understated charm by Paul Schneider) is wiping down the bar and preparing to lock up. An older man (the steady, magnetic Scott Crane) slips in with a simple request: “Can I stay a little while?” Jamie agrees. They talk. Soon Abby (Raechal Wozniak-Sanford, bubbly and full of gentle resolve) joins the conversation. And before long, a truth comes to light … one that bends time, cracks open memory, and asks the question we’ve all whispered in our own hearts: What if I could go back?
I’ll admit, this is a slow-burn. For much of the first act, I found myself settling in, unsure where the night was headed. But that’s part of the play’s quiet power. Director Dave Zochert doesn’t rush; he lets the story simmer until, almost without noticing, you’re drawn in. Sandy Zochert dressed the set beautifully. The stage - warm and lived-in, like a neighborhood bar where the lights dim and secrets spill - holds space for something deeper to emerge. When the reveal finally comes, you feel the weight of time, love, and choices echo long after the lights come up.
The four-person cast is beautifully balanced. Cathryn Evangelista adds grace and tenderness when she enters late in the story, completing the circle of past and present. Together, the actors deliver performances that feel honest and unforced, giving the script its best chance to shine.
But perhaps what struck me most wasn’t just the play itself; it was what it represented. Nights like this remind us why community theaters matter. They give our neighbors a place to tell stories. They give us, the audience, a place to gather, to feel, to think. In a world that moves so fast, theaters like Green Bay Community Theater slow us down, inviting us to listen and imagine. Together.
On opening night, we learned something important: GBCT is in the middle of a capital campaign and they’re already more than halfway toward their goal. Of the $600,000 they need to secure the future of this historic venue, over $320,000 has been pledged. That’s wonderful progress; but the finish line depends on us. A few thousand dollars. A few hundred. A few bucks. Every bit matters. Supporting this campaign isn’t just about keeping the lights on; it’s about keeping a place like this alive for decades to come. It’s about making sure future generations have a stage to discover, a place where they can see stories unfold and maybe even step into one themselves.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get involved with local arts, this is it. Start by coming to see Now and Then. Settle into that charming old theater. Let the story meet you where you are. And when the curtain falls, consider what you can do to help this space continue its beautiful work. Buy a ticket for their upcoming Christmas show. Invite friends. Support the campaign if you can.
Communities that nurture the arts thrive. They’re more connected, more alive, more human. Green Bay deserves that … and you can help make it happen.
About the author: Travis Vanden Heuvel is a business executive, community leader, and the President + Editor-in-Chief of Reviews and Trends Magazine. With over 15 years of experience in marketing and storytelling, he writes across all major RTM categories, specializing in current events, arts and culture, books and print media, and influencers and entrepreneurs. His work blends insightful analysis with compelling narratives, making him a trusted voice in trend reporting and cultural commentary.
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