'Small Town Wisconsin' Film Director Has Roots In Whitefish Bay

WHITEFISH BAY, WI — You'll be able to capture glimpses of Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay on the big screen when the film "Small Town Wisconsin" makes its theatrical premiere in June.

The film, initially released to film festivals in 2020, is emerging from a festival run in May to its theatrical premiere, with cast and crew present, at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee on June 3.

A limited theatrical run and nationwide digital release will follow on June 10, Director Niels Mueller told Patch.

Mueller graduated with the Whitefish Bay High School class of 1979. For "Small Town Wisconsin," he said he put together a cast that had the story of either Wisconsin or small-town American life "in their blood and bones." Kristen Johnston, a member of the cast who Mueller described as "one of our great comedians," is also a Whitefish Bay native.

"I have to say that the film is kind of a postcard, a love letter to Wisconsin and Milwaukee," Mueller said.

The film, Mueller shot across Milwaukee, Whitefish Bay, Palmyra, East Troy and Mukwonago, depicts "perpetual teenager" Wayne Stobierski traveling from a city in northern Wisconsin to Milwaukee after losing a custody battle, according to its Milwaukee Film Festival description.

"It's a story about a father, who's a loving father, but he's kind of a party animal," Mueller said. "He drinks too much, and he finds out he's gonna lose the shared custody of his son, and his son's gonna move with his mom and stepfather to Arizona. He wants to take his son on one last father-son trip to remember him by, they want to get down to the big city, which is Milwaukee."

A scene some in Whitefish Bay may find familiar was shot near Klode Park. The film's main character takes his son to a house where he thought former Brewer's centerfielder Gorman Thomas still lived, Mueller said.

The scene was shot "with the generous cooperation of the homeowner," Mueller said. "They pull up in front of what they think is Gorman Thomas's house, and comedy and hilarity ensues."

There's also a dramatic side to the story.

"I wanted everybody to see how, including my main character, how lovely life can be if you start choosing the right roads, both figuratively and literally in Wisconsin," Mueller said.

The film features David Sullivan, known for "Sharp Objects;" Bill Heck, known for "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs;" Tanya Fischer, known for "Life on Mars;" Kristen Johnston, known for "3rd Rock from the Sun;" and Cooper J. Friedman, known for "9-1-1: Lone Star," according to a report from Deadline.com. The film was produced by Academy Award winner Alexander Payne.

Mueller looked back at his time playing and coaching soccer in the village as part of what built his own character and career in film, as well as his time spent at the Oriental Theatre.

"My father and my mother both just loved film," Mueller said. "And when there were great films playing at the Oriental, we would go. You know, even though James Dean was well before my time, I remember seeing, at the Oriental, James Dean up on the big screen in 'Rebel Without a Cause.'"

Mueller called the Oriental Theatre not just one of the finest movie palaces in Milwaukee, but one of the best in the country.

"I couldn't be more excited than I am to be premiering at the Oriental," Mueller said. "I mean, this is where I fell in love with film. And so it's going to be just a great, great evening on June 3."

More information about "Small Town Wisconsin" and tickets can be found on the Oriental Theatre's website.