A little bit about Tom Klubertanz

Here's a great look inside Tom's life as a theatre professional and teacher.  Tom's character, Murray Burns, knows how to live his life to the fullest, and we believe Tom does too!  Don't forget to check out Tom and the rest of the cast on stage during A THOUSAND CLOWNS starting today and running through August 26.

Meet Matt Daniels

A THOUSAND CLOWNS starts tomorrow! Today we hear from Matt Daniels who returns to MCT after playing British icons Jeeves in JEEVES INTERVENES and Phileas Fogg in AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS.  Later this season he will reprise his role as Jeeves in JEEVES IN BLOOM (April 11-28, 2013). Matt is also a budding 'ukulele master' and a member of the Milwaukee Ukulele Club.

What are some of your favorite moments in theatre that made you who you are today?

Matt Daniels

Whew! So many. As an actor, I truly think that every experience goes toward making me who I am, but I'll try to break it down... The first play I remember seeing was a National Tour of THE KING AND I, with Yul Brynner, which come on! Yul Brynner!

I have fond memories of being in all my school plays, especially my fourth grade production of OLIVER!(I played Fagin). Other formative experiences include my first full Shakespeare play, ROMEO AND JULIET, in which I, as the youngest member of the cast, (I was in eighth grade and most of my cast mates were seniors in high school), played the oldest character, Friar Laurence. I played Bottom two years later, in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and I was hooked on Shakespeare.

I trained at The Juilliard School, in New York, where I studied with some masters who were truly fundamental in my growth as an artist: John Stix, Eve Shapiro, and Vanessa Redgrave were acting teachers; Ralph Zito, Elizabeth Smith and Robert Neff Williams for voice & speech, Barry Edelstein for Shakespeare, and amazing directors like Tom Hulce, Michael Kahn and Brian Mertes. Recently I've been teaching Viewpoints for First Stage Academy's Young Company, which never would have happened without my movement training at school: Moni Yakim for physical acting, Carolyn Serota for Alexander Technique, Ellen Lauren for Viewpoints, and Pierre LeFevre for mask.

After graduation I discovered the incredible world of downtown theater in New York City -- tiny, tiny storefront spaces, and great experimental and avant garde work everywhere! I was part of some great work in that downtown theater scene -- environmentally staged productions of the classics in public spaces with Gorilla Rep, and brand new verse plays by dizzying wordsmith Kirk Wood Bromley, among others.

Plus, of course, all the many, many moments that have made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end as an audience member: The Broadway premiere of Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA, Janet McTeer as Nora in A DOLL'S HOUSE, the bone chilling Broadway production of MEDEA starring Fiona Shaw. The Globe productions of CYMBELINE and CORIOLANUS, and David Cromer's revelatory OUR TOWN, and a 24 hour BALD SOPRANO at the first NY Fringe Festival. And many, many more.

Tell us about your first reaction upon reading A THOUSAND CLOWNS.

I loved that it didn't tie up in a pat little bow at the end; that it was layered, funny, poignant. Also, I was particularly pleased to find out I only appear in the first half! I'll get to spend the second act prepping for my next project (Plug alert!): 44 PLAYS FOR 44 PRESIDENTS at Forward Theater in Madison.

What’s it like being an up and coming ukulele master on stage?

Ukulele Master is overdoing it a bit, especially in light of the fact that we have a couple of true uke masters in our midst here in Milwaukee, in the persons of Lil Rev and Jon Prown. I've only been playing for a couple of years, but it has become a real passion of mine, and I have, of late, been trying to find ways to insert the uke into as many productions as possible! And now, here's one where it's actually called for, even if my character would never in a million years play. That said, it has been a blast taking my playing to the next level by arranging some tunes, and ultimately, forming a band with our own Beth Mulkerron!

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

Albert Amundson does everything by the book. He describes himself as "not one of the warm people," but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. He's a social worker, and cares very much for the children he's tasked with, and so he plays by the rules to ensure their safety. Sometimes this means that the other people around him get the short end of the stick, I guess, but he tries as hard as he can.

If your character could spend a day in Milwaukee, where would they go and what would they do?

He'd definitely check out the Art Museum, maybe the War Memorial. City Hall, too. Maybe a night at the Rep (or the BTC). I think he'd try to find out as much about the city as possible - one of those river tours, perhaps, or Old World Milwaukee at the Public Museum.

Meet Thomas Kindler

We're getting closer to opening night! Today we're taking a closer look at Thomas Kindler who is debuting in the role of Nick Burns at MCT. Thomas is finishing up his summer here at MCT and will be a freshman at Brookfield Central High School this fall. This kid does it all - sings, acts, and of course, plays the ukulele! Don't forget to catch him onstage for this show, August 9-26! 

Short and Sweet with Beth Mulkeron

Happy Friday to all!  Hope you enjoyed our first interview with Patrick yesterday.  Today we bring you Beth Mulkerron who makes her MCT debut as Sandra Markowitz in A THOUSAND CLOWNS.  Enjoy!

Beth Mulkerron

What are some of your favorite moments in theatre that made you who you are today?

I made my theatrical debut as Mrs. Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL in fourth grade. After that I was hooked. The fact that I have been lucky enough to experience everything from Shakespeare to PACKER FANS FROM OUTER SPACE, has shaped my love for the theatre.
 

Tell us about your first reaction upon reading A THOUSAND CLOWNS.

I loved this piece from the first read. There is no bad guy in the play. You root for everybody. It also doesn't hurt that it's hysterical. 

What’s it like playing an instrument you’ve never played before in front of an audience?

I play the kazoo in this show and must confess it is not my first performance with a kazoo. At First Stage Children's Theater I played a character by the name of Ms. Toot who LOVED her kazoo.

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

Sandra is one giant heart. She wants to take the whole world in her arms and give it the hug it needs. She is vulnerable and silly, passionate and strong. 

If your character could spend a day in Milwaukee, where would they go and what would they do?

Sandra would probably spend the morning taking in the latest exhibit at the art museum, the afternoon at the children's hospital playing board games with the kids and the evening reading a very good book with a bowl of custard. 

Meet Patrick Lawlor from A THOUSAND CLOWNS

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is only a week away from opening A THOUSAND CLOWNS in the Cabot Theatre on August 9. We have fabulous people working on the show so we thought we would interview the cast.  Today we will be featuring Patrick Lawlor (Arnold Burns) who was just seen as Virgil Blessing in last season's BUS STOP.  Hope you enjoy his insights into the theatre world and our season opener!

What are some of your favorite moments in theatre that made you who you are today?

Patrick Lawlor

To work in the Theatre is to have countless moments that make you who you are. Just getting to do this for a living opens you up to endless little miracles, wonders, triumphs, tragedies. Taking on a role that you feel is beyond your ability and performing it well, doing free Shakespeare in the Park and getting acting notes from the local homeless guy who collects cans from the park's trash, getting "rained out" at an indoor theatre in Los Angeles when floods short out your electrics,  bringing classical theatre to inner-city kids or folks in depressed Appalachia, even waiting out a thunderstorm with the audience at an outdoor venue, all of these energize us in special and unexpected ways.  It's the odd little things that happen all the time in theatre that make me who I am today.

Other examples that come to mind include: explaining to a fellow member of a four-person touring show how it might be difficult to find fresh sushi in rural West Virginia, watching from the wings at American Players Theatre as a huge bat flew out of the trap door on stage during a performance of HAMLET, performing for children who are seeing their first show ever, and watching Stacy Keach's RICHARD III. All of these things and innumerable others are the stuff that keep me going.  Add to that, getting to learn by watching and performing with the remarkable actors that were around the San Francisco Bay Area as I was getting started in the late 70's through the 80's instilled in me that every person I work with contributes to who I am as an actor. I am grateful to continue my development and education with my talented and extremely generous co-workers in A THOUSAND CLOWNS .

Tell us about your first reaction upon reading A THOUSAND CLOWNS.

I first read it in college years ago and saw it as a silly piece, a warning about conforming and giving up. I was not impressed, though I did learn a monologue to use as an audition piece. Picking it up again for this production, with a little more life behind me and a VERY DIFFERENT experience. 

This time, I read a beautiful examination of life, relationships and responsibility. It had an examination of growing up, and what that does and does not necessarily mean. I no longer see "giving up," but rather "trading up" - letting go of certain aspects of childhood, or childishness in order to experience the benefits and rewards of maturity, responsibility and relationships with others. Murray is confronted with that moment (that we all SHOULD be confronted with at some point), when he realizes that there are some things that are more important to him than himself. How he handles that confrontation... Well, that's the play. It's a beautiful piece of theatre!

What’s it like playing an instrument (ukulele) you’ve never played before in front of an audience?

Patrick Lawlor as Virgil Blessing in BUS STOP

I love it! Playing music rocks and having to do it in front of an audience gives me that extra incentive to learn it! That said, it really doesn't apply to me in this play, but it has in several others.

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

Murray and I spend some time describing my character in the play, so you'll just have to see it to find out.

But briefly, Arnold Burns is a good guy with a good job (Murray's agent), a good family, a good life and a crazy, immature, wonderful brother who he loves dearly and worries about constantly

If your character could spend a day in Milwaukee, where would they go and what would they do?

Arnie would stay at the Pfister.  He'd get up early to find a farmer's market somewhere to grab some fresh fruit. He’d take a bunch of meetings at the local TV affiliates in the morning while Shirley and the kids check out the zoo. He'd try to time it so the Mets were playing the Brewers (or the Braves, if we stay true to the period, though in that case,  he'd probably still follow his beloved Giants, even though they broke his heart by moving to San Francisco) and he'd definitely catch the game that afternoon. He'd hook up with Shirley and the kids for a nice family dinner, maybe at Kopp's. Then a few calls to clients, etc., before ending the day with a relaxing cocktail with Shirley in the Pfister's BLU (or whatever it was called in 1962). 

Thank you so much Patrick for your kind words about your experiences in the theatre and also about A THOUSAND CLOWNS.  We all look forward to seeing your performance next week!

Send in the Clowns

by Linda Loving, MCT Board member

(IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: There are no clowns appearing on stage in A THOUSAND CLOWNS; no red noses, no big shoes, no cotton candy, nothing.)

Fifty years later, it's never too late and not a minute too soon to experience the delightful dialogue and depth of Herb Gardner's 1962 award-winning comedy A THOUSAND CLOWNS. Six quirky yet winsome characters dance in and out of each other's New York City lives for two days, resulting in choices and insights which will last a lifetime.  At the heart (in every way, the heart!) of the play is a precocious 12-year-old  "O.W." (out of wedlock) boy Nick and his eccentric uncle Murray, who take turns being the child and the adult.  Their redefinition of "family" bordered on radical in the 1960s Father-Knows-Best-era; for our time it is a refreshing reminder of the truest possible "family values."

Murray is determined not to live "as if life is one long dental appointment," and he challenges everyone around him to find their truth, claim their freedom, embrace spontaneity.  Murray's character curiously foreshadows the anti-establishment voice which was gaining in volume by the time the play was made into a film in 1965 (Gardner as screenwriter and associate producer). The warmth, wisdom and wit of CLOWNS created a counterpoint to the1950s' anti-communism and to the 1960s' escalating conflict in Vietnam.  Murray is outrageously funny which somehow tempers his in-your-face persona; in 2012 we seem to have excelled at "in-your-face," but perhaps need a recovery of heartfelt humor.

Murray's unemployment/underemployment stress resonates in our time.  As a TV writer Murray's only choice may be to return to writing for the insipid Chuckles the Chipmunk in order to preserve his "family" with Nick and to extend it to include Sandra, the judgmental  Child Welfare social worker whom Murray wins over at "hello."  Or if not at "hello," surely by the time he tells her

  

"It's just there's all these Sandras, running around who you never met before and it's confusing at first, fantastic, like a Chinese fire drill….but isn't it great to find out how many Sandras there are? Like those little cars in the circus, this tiny red car comes out…suddenly its doors open and out come a thousand clowns, whooping and hollering and raising hell."

(I must admit that when I played the role of Sandra myself - over 30 years ago - I thought Murray's speech conveyed an image for my own feminist self-discovery!)

What is the balance between self-discovery and selfishness? Between creativity and chaos? Between reality and illusion?  Between conformity and confinement?  As many questions as clowns bounce off the walls of Murray's cluttered one-bedroom Manhattan apartment as the characters disarm, delight, dismay each other, themselves and the viewers.

A THOUSAND CLOWNS received a Tony nomination for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics "Best New Playwright" honor. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for writing and won the 1965 Writer's Guild of America award for best written American comedy.  Actors from both the original play and the film received several nominations and awards.  After A THOUSAND CLOWNS, Herb Gardner wrote THIEVES, THE GOODBYE PEOPLE, I'M NOT RAPPAPORT (Tony Award-winner for Best Play) and CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER (nominated for a Pulitzer Prize). Herb Gardner has been one of the most produced playwrights worldwide.

When A THOUSAND CLOWNS began its 428-performance run on Broadway, Gardner was only 27 years old. Howard Taubman of the New York Times found the play "sunny and wistful, sensible and demented, and above all, unfailingly amusing." Fifty years later, expect similar reviews - throw in "intelligent," "moving" and "thought-provoking."

Send in the clowns.

MCTL1KES

MCT L1KES is about energizing our facebook community! MCT loves to interact with our theatre community, fans and patrons on facebook and we want even more people be MCT insiders! Now through August 31, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is campaigning for 1,000 new likes on facebook.  Our goal of a thousand (1000) 'likes' is inspired by our 2012-13 season opener A THOUSAND CLOWNS (Aug 9-26).

MCT L1KES will incude prize giveaways for MCT tickets, gear and other goodies! For every 100 new likes on facebook both new and current fans will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to A THOUSAND CLOWNS. We will be picking from ALL of our fans, new and old, so everyone has an opportunity to win! AND upon our 1,000th like, we will be giving away a special surprise gift!

Our goal is ambitious, but with YOUR help we can do it! There are a lot of ways you to help... First of all, go to facebook.com/milwaukeechambertheatre and LIKE our page. Next, invite friends to like our page! Another easy way to get the word out about MCT on facebook is to SHARE our posts. Everything we post on our facebook page is available to share on to yours so help us spread the word!

So please join us in promoting MCT during our MCT L1KES campaign on facebook! We appreciate all of our fans at MCT and love seeing new faces join our family!