Wisconsin-made sitcom 'Brewed Awakening' moves one step closer to television

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The next major sitcom based in Wisconsin is one step closer to reality. Last month, film crews were in Milwaukee to record the pilot episode of "Brewed Awakening," a family-themed series set in Sheboygan.

CBS 58 went behind the scenes during one day of filming as crews shot a portion of the episode at In Plane View, across from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

Before the cameras even rolled, Evan Guirsch, the show's co-creator and producer, spoke to the crew about taking pride in putting together a show in their home state.

"This is something that does not happen in Wisconsin," Guirsch told the crew. "This is an LA, New York, Chicago type of thing, and we are doing it here."

Guirsch said it was fitting that In Plane View served as a filming location. His sister, Holly, has worked there for years, and the family knows the owners well.

Tapping into a family connection made sense for the show, whose core theme centers on the value of family.

"Things will change," Guirsch said. "But the one constant will be your family. It's the love of family."

The show is set in Sheboygan, and the plot revolves around Tommy Donahue, played by Racine native Ben C. Adams.

Tommy is a legendary California surfer who decides his family has to move after his wife, a marine biologist, dies in a shark attack.

He settles on Sheboygan because that's where his childhood friend, Andy, moved to open a microbrewery.

CBS 58 attended the casting call for Tommy, when Adams was selected for the role. During filming, Adams said the role presented a new challenge.

"It's the first time playing a father, so I get to be the dad," Adams said. "I get to be the person who is balancing love with the family instead of someone who's cast as an outcast."

Tommy is at the brewery when the villain, Jack Stone, who owns a much larger brewery, arrives to announce his intention to buy Lakeside Brewery.

Both Bob Benson, who plays Stone, and Adams once performed together in Racine community theater productions.

"Ben and I did a production at the Racine Theatre Guild," Benson said. "I think it was about 15 years ago, maybe? We were in 'The Producers' and just had a ball of fun."

Co-creator Brad Behlmer said watching the scenes on film marked a significant milestone. Their concept had finally become something tangible.

"The significance is that it's no longer just in my head," Behlmer said. "It exists in the real world, and it looks like a TV show."

From here, the producers will pitch the pilot episode to television networks and streaming services. Guirsch said he's optimistic.

"There's one with a fairly major network," he said. "Don't wanna say who they might be, but there are some very early discussions with them."

Guirsch and Behlmer both said they have spent years traveling to find work in the entertainment industry wherever they could.

To finally land a hit would be one thing, but to have it happen at home in Wisconsin might be the best part of all.

"There is a lot of untapped potential in Wisconsin," Guirsch said. "There are a lot of creatives in this area. It's a story that, yes, while it's filmed here and it's set here, we feel it has a national, and dare I say, even a worldwide appeal."