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!

An Interview with Matt Koester

A graduate of UW-Milwaukee, Matt Koester makes his MCT debut as Gussie Fink-Nottle in JEEVES IN BLOOM.
 
Tell us a bit about your character, Gussie Fink-Nottle:
Gussie Fink-Nottle is a schoolmate of Bertie and lives in a small town of Linconshire because he just can't handle the city life of London. He also has a pond in his yard where he can study newts. That's right. Newts. Gussie's character is described in great detail even before he sets foot on stage. He is described by Bertie as a freak of nature with horned rimmed specs and face like a fish. He is a noted newt lover who has devoted his entire life to studying the amphibians. On top of that, he can't utter a single word to the girl he loves because of his extreme shyness. When it comes right down to it though, Gussie is such a sweetheart and a character you just want to root for.

What are some of the benefits and challenges of performing in such a comedic play?

Nothing beats the joy of making people laugh. The ultimate goal of this play is to have people come to the theater and for two hours forget all about their problems and issues, get sucked into the reality of the play and just laugh. It's the best feeling ever. It's been a difficult process for me, but comedies usually are. I have to learn to just be honest and truthful and let the comedy come organically from the true and honest moments that happen on stage. I also have to learn just to have fun, cause if I'm having fun, than the audience will too.

Anything fun you’d like to share with readers about JEEVES IN BLOOM, rehearsals, etc?
4 words. Best Snack Table Ever.

What are some of your favorite moments in theatre that made you who you are today?
Attending UW-Milwaukee was such an amazing experience because I was able to work my way in to the professional theater world with the close ties that UWM has with the community. One of those ties was Milwaukee Shakespeare. In my second semester, I was able to get an audition for the company and landed a small role in AS YOU LIKE IT. I had such an awesome time working with all these wonderful actors and learned more about the ins and outs of acting in that rehearsal process than I did in my first two semesters at UWM. I wouldn't have given that experience up for the world.

What do you like about being a theatre artist in Milwaukee?
I read an article in Backstage.com on the top ten theater towns in the US. Milwaukee was on the list. I think it was number 7. Being back after a 5 year hiatus from the Milwaukee community makes me understand exactly why this great city made the list. During the entire time away from the Milwaukee theater scene, I realized just how special and unique it really is. I missed it. The talent that Milwaukee has is unprecedented and support that it gets from its patrons is amazing. It's so great to be back in an environment that is so very helpful and appreciative of good theater.