Meet the Cast of FALLEN ANGELS

KAY ALLMAND

(Julia Sterroll)

Kay is grateful and thrilled to be back at MCT after appearing in JEEVES TAKES A BOW last season. Recent Wisconsin credits include Truvy in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Laura in THE GLASS MENAGERIE and the female track in THE 39 STEPS at Third Avenue Playhouse in Door County. She also spent three seasons with Door Shakespeare 2009-2011. She has also worked extensively in Houston, most recently in PANTO SNOW QUEEN: UNFROZEN at Stages Repertory Theatre, ALMOST, MAINE with Unity Theatre and as Annette in GOD OF CARNAGE with Stark Naked Theatre. Next up is ISAAC’S EYE at Third Avenue Playhouse and A LOVELY SUNDAY FOR CREVE COUER here at MCT! Kay has a BFA from Midwestern State University and an MFA from the University of South Carolina and was an acting intern at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Love is the answer.

MATT KOESTER
(Maurice Duclos)

Matt returns to MCT after playing Gussie Fink-Nottle in JEEVES IN BLOOM. He has previously worked with Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Youngblood Theatre and The Alchemist Theatre among others. When Matt isn't acting, he is working full time as a second grade teacher at Cross Trainers Academy. He would like to thank God for his abundant grace and many blessings!

BETH MULKERRON
(Jane Banbury)

Beth is thrilled to be back with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre where you may have caught her as Sandra in A THOUSAND CLOWNS. Stage highlights include the Off-Broadway musical, REDHOOK and performing in concert with Davis Gaines. Regional highlights include A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Belle, Katherine) at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, THE WINTER'S TALE (Hermione/Autolycus) at Optimist Theatre, BIG (Susan) at First Stage, THE SIZZLIN' 60's at The Fireside, PACKER FANS FROM OUTER SPACE (Peggy) at The Marcus Center, and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Dot) Windfall Theatre. Television and voiceover credits include Miller, GE, the Wisconsin Lottery and NBC’s Ed. Beth has also appeared in independent films and has enjoyed recording extensively for Hal Leonard. She studied musical theatre at Cincinnati’s CCM and received her BFA from FSU.

RICK PENDZICH
(Fred Sterroll)

A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Rick has performed in six Milwaukee Chamber Theatre mainstage shows: Max in LEND ME A TENOR, Eustace in JEEVES INTERVENES, Floyd in THE FOURTH WALL, Stanley in BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, Sandy Tyrell in HAY FEVER, and (most recently) joined fellow Whitewater Mafiosos  in THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED.] Other favorite roles include Centipede in JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH at First Stage, Goss in BUG at Splinter Group, The Gentleman Caller in THE GLASS MENAGERIE at In Tandem Theatre and Mark Cohen in RENT at Skylight Music Theatre.  “Enjoy the show!”

MOLLY RHODE
(Saunders)
Molly first appeared as Saunders in FALLEN ANGELS in 2001 at Next Act Theatre under Michael Wright's direction. It was her professional debut in Milwaukee, and she is honored to revisit this delightful piece again with good friends. Molly's prior work at MCT includes acting in A THOUSAND WORDS and TRYING and directing MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS. Molly has been an Actors’ Equity member since 2003 and has worked on stages all over Milwaukee, as well as in Madison, Spring Green, and Door County. She serves as the associate artistic director of Northern Sky Theater in Peninsula State Park, and is proud to make her entire artistic living in Wisconsin. Upcoming projects include directing the world premiere of DOCTOR! DOCTOR! at Northern Sky this summer, acting in UNSILENT NIGHT at Next Act in the autumn, and two works here at MCT next season. She'll be playing Helena in A LOVELY SUNDAY FOR CREVE COEUR and directing GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Thank you to Michael Wright for fiercely supporting new talent in Milwaukee. You've been both a rock and a beacon for so many in our community.

CHASE STOEGER
(Willy Banbury)

Chase couldn’t be more excited to be back on the Cabot Stage with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre! Last season he played Binky in JEEVES TAKES A BOW and himself in THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]. He also just finished the world premiere of JUST A LITTLE CRITTER MUSICAL at First Stage. This coming summer he will celebrate his tenth season under the stars in Door County with Northern Sky Theater! In his spare time he takes direction and casting choices from his daughter Silvia, and might have a little time to crochet her another hat to wear. Check out his headwear at realmencrochet.com!

MCT BOARD MEMBER PROFILE: JULIE ANDING

by Max Seigle

MEET THE MCT BOARD! We're excited to introduce you to our Board of Directors! This is a great way to learn more about the people who make up the MCT family.

MCT Board President Julie Anding

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? HOW LONG HAVE BEEN IN MILWAUKEE?

I grew up in Arena, Wisconsin, near Spring Green. Being close to the American Players Theatre, I go back all the time and see shows in the summer. I have lived in the Milwaukee area for 18 years and my home is in the Historic Third Ward. 

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE AT THE MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE?

My partner directed a play for MCT in 2012 called BUS STOP. It was in the big theatre, the Cabot, it’s such a great space. The play was a collaboration with UW-Parkside, and students and staff joined Milwaukee actors to put on the show. I like those kinds of university partnerships and have enjoyed seeing MCT do more of them over the years. Also, we moved into the Third Ward and it became our neighborhood theatre and that encouraged us to get more involved in going to the MCT shows.

FAVORITE PLAY?

Last season’s THE TRAIN DRIVER and THE GOOD FATHER. I thought both were really spectacular. I tend to like plays that deal with more meaty subjects, have more of an intellectual bent and hit on prevalent conversations going on across the country. 

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE MCT BOARD?

I wanted to be a part of an organization that was supporting the arts and helping make Milwaukee more vibrant. If we didn’t have live music, if we didn’t have live theater, life would be pretty dry and boring. And with so much emphasis on technology these days, there is something about seeing a live performance of music or theatre that’s very different from seeing it on your computer or on your TV.

My daughter and five nieces have also been very involved in theater, both in school and at First Stage. It has been a really important part of their development and they’ve grown immensely with those experiences. There is more than just sports to help with building stronger kids, so it’s really important for me to find ways to support the arts. 

YOU RECENTLY BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD. WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO TAKE ON THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP ROLE?

I tend to be naturally drawn to leadership roles and I think we are at a really unique time right now. We have a really strong board with great, talented people. We are well-positioned to take MCT to the next level and I just want to help be a part of that.

WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY?

I have worked at Harley-Davidson for 18 years. I currently serve as the Senior Director of Talent and Learning in the Human Resources Department. I help the company attract and retain strong talent.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

I love motorcycles. I learned to ride one as a kid but didn’t buy one until I started working at Harley-Davidson. I think riding a motorcycle is one of the only things that I’m aware of where you can shut the rest of the world out. You can’t get distracted with technology. It’s kind of a “Zen” experience just being really focused on riding  the bike and watching the beautiful scenery around you. It is very freeing to have the wind in your face and just to be out there on a ride. Locally, I love to ride out by Holy Hill and by the Kettle Moraine area. One of my best rides I did was from Milwaukee to Kingston, Ontario, more than two thousand miles, it was absolutely fantastic. It was part of a special motorcycle rally for Harley-Davidson. We did the trip in two days there and two days back. We touched all five Great Lakes, which  was a personal goal we had on that trip.

If you don’t find me on my motorcycle, I’ll be at my family’s property just outside Spring Green. It’s a quiet, peaceful place along the Wisconsin River. It’s been in my family for four generations. I am also an avid reader and love to travel.

FAVORITE PLACE IN MILWAUKEE TO EAT BEFORE AN MCT SHOW?

In my neighborhood, I would say Bavette is a favorite as is Onesto and Kasana. If you are a carnivore, you will be happy at Bavette. At Onesto, it’s just good comfort food and Kasana has awesome tapas. All are  easy and close to MCT.

FAVORITE MILWAUKEE SPOT THAT NEVER GETS OLD?

THE LAKEFRONT! We don’t even know how lucky we are with that lakefront we have.

FAVORITE SUMMER FESTIVAL IN MILWAUKEE?

IRISH FEST. I have a bit of Irish in my heritage and I love to go and listen to Celtic music.

ANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU ARE A PART OF?

I serve on the board of WRTP/BIG STEP. They focus on workforce development in the manufacturing and construction fields. I like how they develop  people and give them a chance at a family-sustaining job.

BACK TO MCT: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT MCT WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE COMPANY?

I think of MCT as kind of this hidden gem in the Third Ward that is doing unique shows. It’s the combination of leveraging local talent and not choosing the “same-old, same-old” kind of plays every season. Our Producing Artistic Director, C. Michael Wright, really tries to select first-time shows that you won’t see anywhere else. And right now, the company is trying to bring more diversity into the talent and in the productions they are choosing and I think that’s really important. 

Thanks Julie! Stay tuned for more Board Member Profiles!

Getting to Know Peter Reeves

Peter Reeves is playing the role of Sterling in our production of “Slowgirl”. Read on to learn a little bit about him and his character.  

Tell us a bit about your character, Sterling.

Sterling is a damaged soul. Thoughtful, introspective and very much alone in his jungle retreat, Sterling believes he is making a 'radical change' in his life; in reality, he is escaping. When his niece Becky arrives, it is an invasion. It's as if a wild animal has entered his space. It forces Sterling to face particular truths: Did he give up on his former life? Can he find peace? Sterling is a challenge to play (as all characters are) in that he often speaks in non sequiturs and fragments. He has lost some of his ability to communicate.

Peter Reeves in "Slowgirl"

Is this a relatable play for you as far as Sterling & Becky’s relationship goes? (Are you an uncle yourself?)

I am indeed an uncle several times over. As far as the Becky/Sterling relationship goes, it is a very different than anything I've ever experienced with my family. They haven't seen each other in nine years. That's a long separation. What happens during the week they spend together is incredibly intense and probably shapes each of their lives for a long time. So yes, I can relate in terms of the type of things that families share, both the beautiful and the ugly. But what these two wonderful characters go through is unique and a little foreign to me.

What is your favorite scene / moment in the show?

There are so many! I love meeting Becky again-right at the top of the play. She is such a tidal wave of energy and naughtiness. It's fun to watch, to be around, to play off of. Sara is a delight!

This is your last show before moving to Pennsylvania, does that put more pressure or less pressure on your performance? Any other thoughts to share about moving? Do you hope to continue acting in Pennsylvania?

No. Acting is always pressure filled! I am always nervous no matter what show it is. I am looking forward to our move east. Kathy (my wife) and I love Lancaster. We've bought this 1880's row house with three floors. It's outrageous, impractical and so much fun. I cannot wait. I will miss Milwaukee and most of all Pius XI High School, where I have found a home and a family. I hope to act some but I really want to work less and be with family more. Does that make me lazy?

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? (If not, would you consider it? If yes, would you recommend it?)

I have walked a labyrinth at Pius XI in the chapel and also one in China! The Chinese labyrinth was carved from these bushes and located in Beijing. I would suggest everyone try it at least once. As Sterling says, "See how it hits you."

Be sure to see Peter’s final Milwaukee performance in “Slowgirl” playing now through March 20^th.