Milwaukee Chamber Theatre Stages JEEVES TAKES A BOW, Now thru 5/3
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 16, 2015
This quick-witted British comedy is the third play in the "Jeeves" trilogy written by Illinois playwright Margaret Raether who brought us our successful productions of JEEVES INTERVENES in 2010 and JEEVES IN BLOOM in 2013. Reprising their roles from both previous shows are Matt Daniels as Jeeves and director Tami Workentin. JEEVES TAKES A BOW performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.
Bertie and Jeeves are back for a final encore with JEEVES TAKES A BOW! In Margaret Raether's third adaptation of the P.G. Wodehouse stories, the dynamic duo is now residing in Manhattan and dabbling in show biz. When they become involved with a kooky young chorus girl, they quickly learn that trouble (and her gangster "friend") follows close behind!
Matt Daniels returns to the role of Jeeves for the third and final play in Raether's "Jeeves" trilogy. In addition to JEEVES INTERVENES and JEEVES IN BLOOM, Daniels also appeared in MCT's A THOUSAND CLOWNS and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. The Milwaukee-based Julliard trained actor has also worked with First Stage, In Tandem Theatre and Milwaukee Shakespeare, among many others.
Tami Workentin also returns for the final installment of "Jeeves" after directing JEEVES INTERVENES and JEEVES IN BLOOM. Workentin is familiar to MCT audiences for her many appearances on the stage including THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES, PICNIC, THE SUM OF US and BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS.
In addition to Daniels, The cast includes Milwaukee favorites Chris Klopatek (COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE, JEEVES INTERVENES), Steven M. Koehler (LEND ME A TENOR, RABBIT HOLE), Chase Stoeger (COMPLETE/SHAKESPEARE, JEEVES IN BLOOM) and making their MCT debuts, Kay Allmand and Anna Cline.
A longtime fan of the Jeeves and Wooster stories, Playwright Margaret Raether has written three plays based on P.G. Wodehouse's popular characters. The first is JEEVES INTERVENES which premiered in 2006 (produced by MCT in 2010), the second, JEEVES IN BLOOM, premiered in 2009 (produced by MCT in 2013) and the final play in the trilogy, JEEVES TAKES A BOW, premiered in 2012. Raether is a founding member of Artists' Ensemble Theatre in Rockford, Illinois, and most of her plays have debuted there or at New American Theater, where she spent two seasons as the playwright in residence. In addition to the "Jeeves" series, Raether has written several other plays and her works have been performed around the country including productions in Chicago, Minneapolis and New York.
The characters of Jeeves and Wooster were originally created by P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975), an English writer whose body of work includes novels, collections of short stories and musical theatre. He is best known today for the Jeeves and Wooster, Blandings Castle, and Psmith novels and short stories. Wodehouse was also a playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of 15 plays and 250 lyrics for some 30 musical comedies, many of them produced in collaboration with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical ANYTHING GOES (1934) and wrote the lyrics for the hit song "Bill" in SHOW BOAT (1927). He enjoyed enormous success during a career that spanned more than 70 years. Wodehouse was knighted in 1975 just six weeks before his death at the age of 93.
CAST:
Vivienne Duckworth: Kay Allmand
Ruby LeRoy: Anna Cline
Jeeves: Matt Daniels
Bertram "Bertie" Wilberforce Wooster: Chris Klopatek
"Knuckles" McCann: Steven M. Koehler
Nigel Bingham-Binkersteth (Binky): Chase Stoeger
PRODUCTION STAFF:
Director: Tami Workentin
Scenic Designer: Rick Rasmussen
Costume Designer: Kimberly Instenes
Lighting Designer: Doug Vance
Properties Master: Melissa Centgraf
Sound Designer: Terrance Barrett
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Thursday, April 16 - 7:30 pm, Preview
Friday, April 17 - 8:00 pm, Opening
Saturday, April 18 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 19 - 2:00 pm
Wednesday, April 22 - 1:00 pm, Talk Theatre
Wednesday, April 22 - 7:30 pm, ViewPoints
Thursday, April 23 - 7:30 pm, Talkback
Friday, April 24 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 25 - 4:00 pm
Saturday, April 25 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 26 - 2:00 pm
Wednesday, April 29 - 1:00 pm
Thursday, April 30 - 7:30 pm, Talkback
Friday, May 1 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 2 - 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 2 - 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 3 - 2:00 pm
SPECIAL EVENTS:
--Pre-performance ViewPoints: Join us for an insightful pre-show presentation by professional etiquette expert Margery Sinclair, Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. This free, pre-show presentation is on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.
--Pre-performance Talk Theatre: MCT Producing Artistic Director C. Michael Wright will lead a lively and informative chat with Director Tami Workentin and Costume Designer Kim Instenes beginning at 12:00 noon before the matinee on Wednesday, April 22 the Skylight Bar & Bistro.
--Post-performance Talkbacks: Post-show discussion with the artists following performances on Thursday, April 23 and Thursday, April 30
JEEVES TAKES A BOW performances will take place April 16 - May 3, 2015 (Opening Night: Friday, April 17) in the Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot 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.
BIOGRAPHIES:
KAY ALLMAND - Vivienne Duckworth
Last season Kay Allmand was heard but not seen in MCT's THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE. Recent Wisconsin credits include Laura in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Corinna Stroller in THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES and the female track in THE 39 STEPS at Third Avenue Playhouse in Door County. She spent three seasons with Door Shakespeare as Jessica in MERCHANT OF VENICE, Hero in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT, Lucy in THE RIVALS and Caroline Bingley in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. She has also worked extensively in Houston, most recently in ALMOST, MAINE with Unity Theatre and as Annette in GOD OF CARNAGE with Stark Naked Theatre. She has a BFA in theatre from Midwestern State University, an MFA in acting from the University of South Carolina and was an acting intern at Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
ANNA CLINE - Ruby LeRoy
Anna Cline makes her MCT debut in JEEVES TAKES A BOW. Originally from Cedarburg, Wisconsin she received her BFA in musical theatre from Western Illinois University and was a Milwaukee Repertory Theater acting intern for the 2013-2014 season. Past credits include Ilona in SHE LOVES ME, Logainne in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and Natalie in ALL SHOOK UP.
MATT DANIELS - Jeeves
Matt Daniels returns to once again reprise his role as Jeeves after JEEVES INTERVENES and JEEVES IN BLOOM as well as turns in A THOUSAND CLOWNS and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Recent credits include the Illinois Shakespeare Festival's 2014 season, CHESAPEAKE at In Tandem, and SHREK THE MUSICAL at First Stage. He has also appeared at Forward Theater, Milwaukee Shakespeare, the Notre Dame and North Carolina Shakespeare Festivals, Lake Geneva Theatre Co., Kentucky Rep., Seven Angels, and on many independent stages in New York. His directing work has been seen locally at First Stage, MCT's Montgomery Davis Play Development Series (PLAZA HOTEL BALLROOM), and Sunset Playhouse. He is associate director of the First Stage Young Company. An avid ukulelist, he is a member of the Milwaukee Ukulele Club. He received his training at Juilliard.
CHRIS KLOPATEK - Bertram "Bertie" Wilberforce Wooster
Chris Klopatek reprises the role of Bertie in this final installment of the trilogy. Other Milwaukee Chamber Theatre shows include THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED], 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. Other credits include American Players Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Skylight Music Theatre, Next Act Theatre and American Folklore Theatre. He recently received his MFA in acting from the University of California - Irvine.
STEVEN M. KOEHLER - "Knuckles" McCann
Steve Koehler's MCT credits include LEND ME A TENOR (Tito Merelli), RABBIT HOLE (Howie) and THREE DAYS OF RAIN (Pip/Theo). Other credits include THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Georg Von Trapp), THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Caleb), and JACQUES BREL... with Skylight Music Theatre; VICTORY FARM (Wolfgang) and GUYS ON ICE (Lloyd) with American Folklore Theatre; VERONICA'S POSITION (Harvey) with In Tandem Theatre; and HAUPTMAN (Lindberg) with Next Act Theatre. He teaches physics and acting at Milwaukee High School of the Arts.
CHASE STOEGER - Nigel Bingham-Binkersteth ("Binky")
Chase Stoeger returns to MCT for the last installment of the "Jeeves" trilogy. After playing Bertie Wooster in JEEVES IN BLOOM, he takes on the role Binky in JEEVES TAKES A BOW. Other MCT appearances include THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED], Will in MAIN TRAVELLED-ROADS and Simon Bliss in HAY FEVER. Milwaukee audiences have also seen him at Skylight Music Theatre, First Stage, Milwaukee Shakespeare, In Tandem and Bialystock and Bloom. For over five years he has spent his summers in Door County with Northern Sky Theatre (formerly American Folklore Theatre). He is a graduate of UW-Whitewater.
TAMI WORKENTIN - Director
After directing JEEVES INTERVENES in 2010 and JEEVES IN BLOOM in 2013, Tami Workentin returns to the director's chair for JEEVES TAKES A BOW. Other directing credits include NAUGHTY CHILDREN in MCT's Young Playwrights Festival, BARNEY AND BEE and a reading of MR. PIM PASSES BY with Renaissance Theaterworks. Past MCT stage appearances include Nettie in THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES, Rosemary Sydney in PICNIC, Joyce in THE SUM OF US, Joy/Dottie/Ensemble in WELL, Blanche in BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and Patsy in KIMBERLY AKIMBO. Other recent performances include Jean in GOOD PEOPLE with the Milwaukee Rep and Lou in WELCOME HOME, JENNY SUTTER with Next Act Theatre. She has also performed with Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee Shakespeare, First Stage, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Organic Theatre, Bailiwick Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park and Taproot 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.
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