Jason Howland, playing Marvin, and Mike Compton, playing Lloyd, rehearse a scene of “Guys on Ice,” at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The play is directed by retired Riverland director Jerry Girton.

‘Tis the season to icefish … and sing about it.

Retired Riverland Community College theater director Jerry Girton is returning to the stage to direct “Guys on Ice” at Albert Lea’s Marion Ross Performing Arts Center from Feb. 12 to 22.

“Guys on Ice” is a musical comedy about two ice-fishing buddies, Marvin and Lloyed, from Wisconsin who talk and sing about life, love and the one that got away.

The show is truly a Midwest experience in the vein of shows like “Don’t Hug Me,” “How to Talk Minnesotan” and “Church Basement Ladies” with Midwest humor that people from other areas of the country may not appreciate.

Director Jerry Girton and actors Mike Compton and Jason Howland shore up a scene from “Guys on Ice.”

“People in Florida might not think it’s funny at all,” Girton said. “But Minnesota and Wisconsin people will relate to it a great deal.”

Plus, the show as a smaller production not managed by bigger companies out of New York, like many are. The writers give out the rights and handle it, according to Girton.

In the musical, Marvin, a bachelor, and Lloyd, who is married, go ice fishing on a Sunday morning when a local television star is planning to visit their ice shanty as part of his TV show. In one song, “The Guy on TV,” Marvin even sees himself as the next cable network star.

“They have big dreams of being on television,” Girton said.

The show also features songs like “De Wishing Hole,” “Ode to a Snowmobile Suit” and “Fish is de Miracle Food.”

Marvin will be played by Jason Howland, of Albert Lea, and Llyod will be played by Mike Compton, of Austin. Ernie the Moocher will be played by Brian Mattson, of Albert Lea. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 22 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 16. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students.

Girton, who directed “The Secret Garden for the Matchbox Children’s Theatre” late last year, will return to Austin’s Paramount Theatre in March with “Judy, Judy, Judy,” a show that tells the life of Judy Garland.

“I’m very excited about it,” Girton said. “It’s going to be different.”

For more on Jerry Girton, check out the upcoming edition of Austin Living.