An interview with MU student Hannah Klapperich-Mueller

Hannah Klapperich-Mueller

A junior at Marquette University, Milwaukee native Hannah Klapperich-Mueller is making her Milwaukee Chamber Theatre debut. MCT and MU are collaborating on this production of LEND ME A TENOR and Hannah is one of two Marquette students in the cast.


Tell us a bit about your character, Maggie:

Maggie is a young woman with a very vivid imagination and has spent her life in the upper crust of Cleveland's social circle. She's been more sheltered than she would have liked and wants to experience something rather more exciting. Cue global celebrity Tito Merelli, and her search for romance goes a little haywire.

LEND ME A TENOR is a collaboration with Marquette University and you are one of several current students and alumni involved with the show. Any thoughts you’d like to share about your experience as a MU student here at MCT?

Primarily, I just spend every day feeling really excited and lucky to be here. One of the first things I learned in any of my acting classes at Marquette was that watching your fellow actors in rehearsal is the best way to learn, and every moment of this rehearsal process has been a great opportunity to observe and learn from the other people who I'm onstage with. I feel really grateful to have this opportunity to work with so many actors I really admire, and to spend 6 days a week laughing with them.

What are some of the benefits and challenges of performing in a farce/comedy?

The greatest thing about this particular farce is that it has a very specific rhythm that sets up the humor for you. And the show is so funny that it makes every rehearsal zoom by. The biggest challenge is actually keeping a straight face whenever someone adds some brilliant new, humorous wrinkle.

Anything fun you’d like to share with readers about LEND ME A TENOR, rehearsals, etc.
One of my favorite parts of the rehearsals is something that will be lost when we're actually on the set-- to compensate for not having the doors, which are staples for the comedy, we've all been saying "Open" or "Close" or "Slam!" when necessary. Everyone has come up with a way to say these in character, and they've become some of the funniest lines.

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

One of the clearest moments I had watching a show and actively thinking "This is going to change my life" was during my senior year of high school when I was on a class trip to the Broadway Theatre Center to see Jim DeVita's one man show IN ACTING SHAKESPEARE (at Renaissance Theaterworks). This was a time when I was really nervous about the prospect of college and studying theatre and the fear that I would fail. But I remember sitting in the Studio Theatre and starting to feel that those worries weren't as important as doing work that I really loved. I still have my program, and sometimes it serves as a good reminder of those same lessons.

We'll see Hannah and her fellow LEND ME A TENOR cast members, April 10-27 in the Cabot Theatre.

An Interview with Marquette alum Alexandra Bonesho

Alexandra Bonesho

Alexandra Bonesho returns to MCT in LEND ME A TENOR. She made her debut here in THE LION IN WINTER in 2011 - while she was still a theatre student at Marquette University. Both "TENOR" and "LION" are MCT/MU collaborations - and she brings her past experience to this new collaborative production.

Tell us a bit about your character, Diana:


Diana is a fierce, driven, diva soprano who knows how to “work her assets” and use her sexuality in order to get what she wants. She has a distinct way of maneuvering her way through space while keeping her eyes on the target of making it to New York City.

What are some of the benefits and challenges of performing in a farce/comedy?

Performing a farce allows an actor to stretch his/her comedic instincts…one has to take risks in order to find a happy medium and moments that will play humorously to the audience. The challenge of farce lies in keeping characters rooted in reality. As performers, it is our goal to create real moments of vulnerability within our interactions on stage. Despite the fast-paced dialogue and movement, we have to discipline ourselves to move and interact realistically.

LEND ME A TENOR is a collaboration with Marquette University and you are one of several alumni involved with the show. When you were a Marquette student, you participated in a similar MCT / MU collaboration in 2011 with THE LION IN WINTER. Any thoughts you’d like to share about that experience? What is it like to be back at MCT?

Alexandra Bonesho & Brian Mani
in THE LION IN WINTER (2011)
Photo by Mark Frohna

Returning to MCT in another collaboration with Marquette University means a lot…THE LION IN WINTER was a wonderful experience that made it possible for me to interact and perform with actors I had admired for a long time. The experience furthered my aspirations and determination to pursue acting professionally. MCT creates such a welcoming, professional, and fun environment that it is really great to be back and introduce more Marquette performers to the MCT family!

Anything fun you’d like to share with readers about LEND ME A TENOR, rehearsals, etc?



I don’t want to give too much away…so I will just say this…get ready to laugh like crazy!

Thanks Allie! Looking forward to your return to MCT, April 10-27-

The Lion in Winter - TECH

Hello! My name is Allie Bonesho and I am extremely fortunate to be playing Alais in THE LION IN WINTER, which opens on Friday, April 14 in the Cabot Theatre! I am a junior, Theatre Arts major at Marquette University and have loved every second of my experience with MCT! From working with seasoned professionals and actors I have admired to re-telling James Goldman’s classic story, the experience as a whole has only increased my desire to pursue a career as a professional actress!

It is Sunday, April 10, and we just finished our final run-through of our 10 out of 12 TECH and the weekend has sparked even greater excitement and anticipation to hear the response from a live audience! The costumes are beautiful and the set’s vastness and depth creates a phenomenal stage picture in the Cabot Theatre. Today started with hair and make-up and we continued to run light and sound cues. Judy’s organization as stage manager and Michael’s remarkable vision made the collaboration with the costume, lighting and scenic designers run smoothly!

After we finished a cue-to-cue, we took a dinner break and Tim Braun (who is understudying Geoffrey and Philip along with serving as MCT’s marketing intern) and Kelsey Lauren (who is understudying Alais and previously served as MCT's marketing intern) went to Milwaukee Public Market and reviewed notes for a Nutrition exam and Theology class.

Following the dinner break, we got in costume again and did a run-through of the show. The run went well and we stopped for any safety concerns regarding entrances and exits that needed glow tape, costume adjustments, and any light/sound cue issues. Following the run, Michael gave us notes and Judy confirmed our schedule for Tuesday.

Throughout the rehearsal process and our TECH this weekend, I have been amazed by the level of professionalism the MCT staff and technicians of the Broadway Theatre Center bring to all that they do! I would not trade any moment of this process and no words can express my gratitude to all involved! I am excited for opening and to hear the laughter of a live audience to the story of a witty, dysfunctional, but loving family!

That’s all for now, I will try to write again soon! Good night! :)
-Allie