MCT Presents THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED], Now thru 12/14

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) celebrates the holiday season with THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]. Ray Jivoff directs this literary romp featuring Chris Klopatek, Rick Pendzich, Chase Stoeger and Marcus Truschinski. The cast of MCT favorites are also all alumni of the UW-Whitewater theatre program. Performances are tonight, November 19 - December 14, 2014 at the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

In "COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE," a rowdy band of overachievers attempt to perform all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in 99 minutes! This 2013 "revised" script is an updated version of the hilarious, madcap ride through all of Shakespeare's comedies, histories and tragedies. With the added bonus of live music in this production, audiences will be rockin' and rollin' with the Bard!

Actors Chris Klopatek, Rick Pendzich, Chase Stoeger and Marcus Truschinski reunite in the same production for the first time since they all performed in GUYS AND DOLLS together at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The actors first met when they were students in the UW-Whitewater theatre program at the same time. In addition, Scenic Designer Steve Barnes is also a UW-Whitewater theatre alumnus.

Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright shared these insights about the casting, "I was an interim acting teacher at UW-Whitewater back in 2000-2001 and I had these four as students in my classes. Early on I recognized that not only did these four guys have a tight bond, but they were also incredibly playful and inventive. Since coming to MCT, I've had opportunities to hire them as actors over the years. But I'm particularly thrilled to bring all four of them together in one production."

Ray Jivoff, the associate artistic director of Skylight Music Theatre, returns to MCT to direct COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE after directing THE SUM OF US (2009). Jivoff directs the cast of Whitewater grads, who have all appeared on the MCT stage multiple times and also work with professional theatre companies across the state.

This is the second time Milwaukee Chamber Theatre has produced THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED). MCT's 2001 production was a great success and bringing back this past hit is an ideal way to continue the 40th anniversary celebration of "Something Old, Borrowed and New."

COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE creators Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield are the original members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. The company's origins date back to 1981 as a pass-the-hat act performing at Renaissance faires in California. They eventually developed the act into the full-length THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1987. (The writing team released the "revised" version that MCT is producing in 2013.) Today, the Reduced Shakespeare Company is known for turning long, serious subjects into short, witty farces. The company has a total of eight stage shows that have been performed all over the world. In addition to COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE they are best known for THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED) and THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED).

CAST:

Chris Klopatek
Rick Pendzich
Chase Stoeger
Marcus Truschinski

PRODUCTION STAFF:

Director: Ray Jivoff

Scenic Designer: Steve Barnes

Costume Designer: Jason Orlenko

Lighting Designer: Holly Blomquist

Properties Master: Melissa Centgraf

Sound Designer: Jeff Russell

SPECIAL EVENTS:

--Pre-performance ViewPoints: a free, pre-show presentation on Wednesday, November 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.

--Pre-performance Talk Theatre: MCT Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright will lead a lively and informative chat with COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE Director Ray Jivoff beginning at 12:00 noon before the matinee on Wednesday, December 3 in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.

--Post-performance Talkbacks: Post-show discussion with the director and cast following performances on Thursday, December 4 and Thursday, December 11.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] performances are November 19 - December 14, 2014 (Opening Night: Friday, November 21) in the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. Tickets are available Monday through Saturday from noon-6:00 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office, 158 N. Broadway, or by phone at (414) 291-7800. Tickets can be purchased online - 24 hours a day at milwaukeechambertheatre.com. Group, student and senior discounts are also available. For more information, visit milwaukeechambertheatre.com. The production is co-sponsored by Donald A. Cress and The Dental Offices of Dr. David Paris.

BIOGRAPHIES:

CHRIS KLOPATEK

Chris Klopatek graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2004 and recently received his MFA in acting from the University of California - Irvine. Past MCT roles include Bertie Wooster in JEEVES INTERVENES, Passepartout in AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, Josh in THE MOONLIGHT ROOM, Jeff in KIMBERLY AKIMBO and THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (ABRIDGED) tour. He will reprise his role as Bertie Wooster in JEEVES TAKES A BOW later in the season. Other credits include American Players Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Skylight Music Theatre, Next Act Theatre and American Folklore Theatre.

RICK PENDZICH

Since graduating from UW-Whitewater in 2003, Rick Pendzich has performed roles in five Milwaukee Chamber Theatre mainstage shows including Max in LEND ME A TENOR, Eustace in JEEVES INTERVENES, Floyd in THE FOURTH WALL, Stanley in BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and Sandy Tyrell in HAY FEVER. He also performed in THE COMPLETE WORKS/SHAKESPEARE with MCT on tour at the Kohler Arts Center. Other roles include Steve in GRACE at Next Act Theatre, The Gentleman Caller in THE GLASS MENAGERIE at In Tandem Theatre and Mark Cohen in RENT at Skylight Music Theatre.

CHASE STOEGER

Chase Stoeger graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2002 earning a BFA in theatre with an acting emphasis. He returns to the MCT stage after appearing as Bertie Wooster in JEEVES IN BLOOM, Will in MAIN TRAVELED-ROADS and Simon Bliss in HAY FEVER. Later this season, he will play Binky in JEEVES TAKE A BOW. He has also performed with Skylight Music Theatre, Next Act Theatre, American Folklore Theatre, First Stage, Milwaukee Shakespeare and Bialystock & Bloom. He is married to theatre artist Molly Rhode.

MARCUS TRUSCHINSKI

A 2004 graduate of UW-Whitewater, Marcus Truschinski returns MCT after appearing in THE LION IN WINTER and THE OLD LADY SHOWS HER MEDALS. He is a Core Company member at American Players Theatre in Spring Green along with his wife, actress Tracy Michelle Arnold. Other roles include Henry Carr in TRAVESTIES, Algernon in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Tony Cavendish in THE ROYAL FAMILY, Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and Chris Keller in ALL MY SONS.

RAY JIVOFF - Director

Ray Jivoff is a Milwaukee-based actor, teacher and director and serves as associate artistic director of Skylight Music Theatre. Directing credits at Skylight include HAIR, JACQUES BREL... and SING ME A STORY. Other directing projects include THE SUM OF US at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre; LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and INTO THE WOODS at Marquette University; SWEET CHARITY, ANNIE and HAIR at Sunset Playhouse; and WEST SIDE STORY at UW Milwaukee. Onstage roles at Skylight include Mr. Zero in ADDING MACHINE, Harpo in ANIMAL CRACKERS, Roger Debris in THE PRODUCERS, Amos in CHICAGO, Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS, Koko in THE MIKADO, Major General in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and Sir Joseph Porter in HMS PINAFORE. He has also appeared onstage at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage and Next Act Theatre.

MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE - Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2014-2015. MCT produces intimate and accessible theatrical works that engage and challenge the audience, while employing and nurturing principally local theatre artists. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright and Managing Director Kirsten Mulvey, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Pictured, top to bottom: Rick Pendzich, Chase Stoeger, Chris Klopatek. Photos by John Nienhuis.

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