A Message from Michael - November 2011

Thursday, November 03, 2011-MCT's Producing Artistic Director, C. Michael Wirght, comments on HEROES:
***He is the play's director too!***

Often while I'm playing host in the lobby before a show, patrons will come up to me with thoughts about plays for future production. I always try to listen politely and take in their ideas, even when some suggestions are quite beyond our means. But every so often, someone comes forward with a recommendation that is a little piece of gold. Such is the case with HEROES.

A few years ago (I can't recall exactly how many), long-time MCT theatergoer Pam Seccombe approached me before a performance to tell me about a new Tom Stoppard play she had just seen in London. I remember her saying, "It was very funny and very moving and just perfect for Chamber. It only requires three actors." Needless to say, my ears perked up! Pam generously offered to lend me a copy of the script she had purchased. A week later I received it in the mail, read it in one sitting and became immediately hooked. Stoppard's adaptation of Gerald Sibleyras' LE VENT DES PEUPLIERS ("The Wind in the Poplars") was everything Pam had told me - and then some.

L-R: Richard Halverson, Robert Spencer, Daniel Mooney

The icing on the cake is that this play is a vehicle for three older actors. As many Milwaukeeans know, we are extremely fortunate to have an incredible pool of strong, seasoned theatre artists residing here. I was tickled pink to bring together the estimable trio of Richard Halverson, Daniel Mooney and Robert Spencer for this project. And apparently, the enthusiasm is contagious! These three were so gung-ho to get started that they even insisted we meet over the summer to read through the script at Dan Mooney's home - four months before rehearsals were even scheduled to begin! In addition, Richard became so taken with Dan's terrace and backyard that we decided to return in October for a special photo shoot.

And we have Pam Seccombe to thank for all of this!

I have a funny feeling that very soon all of Milwaukee will be thanking Pam, for helping to bring this wonderful play to our stage!

(HEROES will be playing through November 23 to December 18, 2011)

MCT's HEROES set design inspired by Claude Monet's 1890-91 Poplar Series: Who is Monet?

Claude Monet was born on November 14, 1840 in Paris.
On April 1, 1851, Monet refused to go into the family grocery store business, so instead he entered the Le Havre secondary school of the arts. Monet also undertook his first drawing lessons from talented artist-Jacques-François Ochard.

On the Bank of the Seine, Bennecourt (1868)

In 1871, he returned to France. Monet lived from December 1871 to 1878 at Argenteuil, a village on the right bank of the Seine river near Paris, and a popular Sunday-outing destination for Parisians, where he painted some of his best known works.

Impression, Sunrise  (1872)

In 1872, he painted Impression, Sunrise (Impression, soleil levant) depicting a Le Havre port landscape. It hung in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874 and is now displayed in the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris.

Beginning in the 1880s and 1890s through the end of his life in 1926, Monet worked on "series" of paintings, in which a subject was depicted in varying light and weather conditions.

Poplars Session: Key inspirations for MCT'S HEROES:
 

Four Trees (1891)

Poplars on the Epte (1891)

 His first series exhibited as such was of Haystacks, painted from different points of view and at different times of the day. He later produced several series of paintings including: Rouen Cathedral, Poplars, the Parliament, Mornings on the Seine, and the Water Lilies that were painted on his property at Giverny.




 December 5, 1926 at the age of 86 and is buried in the Giverny church cemetery.

Producing Artistic Director, C. Michael Wright, talks about MCT'S production of HEROES by Tom Stoppard

MCT'S HEROES

MCT 2011-2012 season continues with the Milwaukee premiere of Tom Stoppard's English adaptation of HEROES. This play was originally titled, "Le Vent des Peupliers" (direct translation: The Wind in the Poplars) and written by French playwright Gerald Sibleyras.

HEROES Plot Summary:
It's 1959, Henri, Gustave and Philippe are a trio of cantankerous World War I veterans, who spend their last summer days on the terrace of a remote French hospital exchanging barbs. Although their bodies might not be cooperating fully, they become rejuvenated by dreaming up an escape plan to the poplars beckoning in the distance. As Stoppard is the master of scintillating language and magnificent wit, his adaptation of Sibleyras’s play is at once funny and poignant, clever and whimsical.

Directed by C. Michael Wright
Featuring Richard Halverson(Gustave), Dan Mooney(Philippe) & Robert Spencer (Henri)
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Estimated Length: 1 hour, 45 min. Includes a 15min. intermission

When: November 23, 2011 to December 18, 2011
Where: Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway
How: 414.291.7800 www.milwaukeechambertheatre.com

***Important Notes***
Winner of the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy
Sponsored by John E. Holland & Konrad Kuchenbach

An Interview with Jonathan West

Jonathan West returns to Milwaukee Chamaber Theatre (MCT) after appearing in TALLEY'S FOLLY in 2008.  He is currently the managing director of Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. An actor, director and theatre administrator, he has worked at companies including Bialystock & Bloom, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Skylight Opera Theatre and Next Act Theatre. Next summer, Jonathan will return to MCT to direct the 2012-2013 season opener.

To gain further insights about Jonathan, we asked him a few questions about himself and his upcoming performance as Boolie.

Please tell us how or why you first got involved in theatre?

I had my first experience as an actor at the tender age of 13 in a rousing musical comedy called TAKE ME BACK TO MANHATTAN.  I carried a 2 x 4 across the stage and my one line was, "Places, everyone, places!"  Clearly, I had tasted the glamour that is a life on the stage and continued by becoming my high school drama club President, studying theatre administration and directing at New York University, and returning to Milwaukee where I ran my own theatre company (Bialystock & Bloom) for twelve years while working with other great companies in town.

Tell us about your first time reading or seeing DRIVING MISS DAISY.

I recall seeing a production of DRIVING MISS DAISY at Milwaukee Rep many, many years ago.  I took a date.  It was a good date.  A gentleman never kisses and tells, I'm afraid.

From your perspective, how would you describe your character, Boolie?

Boolie is just doing what any good son would do—taking care of his mama.  He's in a tough spot because he's really Daisy's primary caregiver, but she is fiercely independent. He tries as best he can to let her be independent while making sure she is safe and is socially connected to others.  I

have a 91-year-old mother-in-law who is testing my loving, patient wife in many of the ways Daisy tests Boolie. 

Was it difficult for you to learn a southern accent? 

Learning it wasn't difficult..maintaining it is.  Our dialect coach Michelle was on to me quickly and has tried hard to make sure I sound like I'm from Atlanta, not Texas.  I had just finished watching all five seasons of "Friday Night Lights" when we started rehearsals, so I had to shake the Texas drawl out of my head.

Lastly, what message do you hope the audience takes from this play?

I hope audiences relax, enjoy, and are charmed by Ruth Schudson and Michael Torrey.  They're worthy of a lovely evening in the theatre.  

Thank you Jonathan! We're looking forward to the show!

An interview with Michael A. Torrey

Michael Torrey makes his MCT debut in DRIVING MISS DAISY as Hoke Coleburn. Past Milwaukee appearances include “MASTER HAROLD” …and the boys at Next Act Theatre and A MIDNIGHT CRY, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE and THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE at First Stage Children’s Theater. A Chicago resident, Michael has performed with numerous Chicago companies and other regional theatres.

To gain further insights about Michael, we asked him a few questions about himself and his upcoming performance as Hoke.

Please tell us how or why you first got involved in theatre?

I had done a play in high school and a friend's mother was the leading acting coach in town and she offered to work with me after seeing the play. A few years later I took her up on her offer and the rest they say is history.

Tell us about your first time reading or seeing DRIVING MISS DAISY.

I don't really remember the first time I read or saw "Driving Miss Daisy" but I have had the experience of playing the role of Hoke before. I remember reading the story in preparation and being moved by a truly well written and poignant story.

From your perspective, how would you describe your character, Hoke?

A man of quiet grace, dignity and gentleness.

Was it difficult for you to learn a southern accent?

Not really. The play is written to help you with Hoke's speech pattern and it didn't hurt that I grew up in the south.

Do you have a favorite Hoke quote?

Many times during the play people inquire into Hoke's personal business (i.e. finances) and he always, politely refutes it with “Dat for me and him to know."

Lastly, what message do you hope the audience takes from this play?

Through it all we are all really the same and you never know when certain people enter into your life the profound effect that they will have on you. Stay open to the possibilities.

Thank you Michael! We're looking forward to the show!

RUTH SCHUDSON: Milwaukee's Leading Lady

When MCT co-founder Ruth Schudson takes the stage in DRIVING MISS DAISY this fall it will mark her 65th production with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre! This occasion is a great opportunity to tell you more about our remarkable co-founder.

Ruth Schudson, the daughter of Russian immigrants, was born and raised in Wisconsin. Her father was an actor and director in Russia, which helped inspire her own theatrical aspirations. After graduating from Chicago’s Goodman School of Drama in 1947, she worked at regional theatres and helped found companies in Illinois and Oregon before realizing all she desired artistically was right here in Milwaukee.

In the 1950s, Ruth performed with groups including the Milwaukee Players and Alverno College, where she also taught. During this time she married Armand Schudson and had two children, Nia and David.

As her theatre career continued, she performed regularly at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, which is where she met fellow actor and director Montgomery Davis in the early 1970s. After seeing Ruth as Mrs. Gibbs in The Rep’s OUR TOWN, Monty asked Ruth to be in a production of Shaw's DON JUAN IN HELL, which they performed at Vogel Hall in June 1975. Monty and Ruth followed the success of that show with DEAR LIAR and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre was born!

At MCT, Ruth Schudson has played not only a wife and mother, but also a teenager, Ethel Rosenberg, a princess, Gertrude Stein, a serpent and even a rabbi!

Some of Ruth's favorite roles include:
Title Role - MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION
Mrs. Higgins - PYGMALION
Helene Hanff - 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD
Grace -THE FAITH HEALER
Mrs. Dowey -THE OLD LADY SHOWS HER MEDALS
Mrs. Alving -GHOSTS
Carrie Watts -THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL

Some of her other 65 appearances include WELL, ANGELS IN AMERICA: PERESTROIKA, THE ROAD TO MECCA, LOST IN YONKERS, TALKING HEADS, MISALLIANCE, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, HAY FEVER, JOE EGG, ANDROCLES AND THE LION and THE IMMIGRANT.

Ruth has also performed with Next Act Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre, Madison Repertory Theatre and Princeton’s McCarter Theatre among others. Her film credits include The Hindenburg and a featured role in Baraboo.

Few actors have had as great an impact on the Milwaukee theatre community as Ruth Schudson. Throughout her career, she has served as a mentor, role model, and friend to countless aspiring and established actors. Milwaukee Chamber Theatre has chosen to honor this occasion by creating “The Ruth Schudson Leading Lady Fund.”

This donor designated fund will celebrate Ruth’s career and legacy by supporting the work of one MCT actress each season. The Ruth Schudson Leading Lady Fund not only pays tribute to this icon of Milwaukee theatre, but allows MCT to establish a more self-sustaining focus for the future. MCT will host a celebratory “Tribute to Ruth Schudson” on Monday, October 24 at the Broadway Theatre Center as a fundraiser for the Leading Lady Fund.

*** The Tribute will feature performances by Gladys Chmiel, Flora Coker, Laura Gordon, Carrie Hitchcock, Marti Gobel, Laura Gray, Mary MacDonald Kerr, Michelle Lopez-Rios, Raeleen McMillion, Dan Mooney, Norman Moses, Sheri Williams Pannell, April Paul, Molly Rhode, Betsy Skowbo, Chase Stoeger, Susan Sweeney, James Tasse, Jacque Troy, Jenny Wanasek and Sara Zientek.***

To make a contribution to the Fund or make a reservation for the Tribute, call MCT at 414.276.8842.