1. What was the FIRST play you ever saw?: I have a recollection of seeing several musicals while in elementary school. As for plays, I have a vivid memory of seeing THE CRUCIBLE while I was in middle school. I remember that the production was performed on raked stage. I want to say that I saw it at the Attic Theatre in Appleton but I don’t think that their theatre group actually put on the performance. I was so impressed by the actors working on the raked stage as if they were on flat ground. The drama of the play was incredible and set, lighting, and sound really enhanced the mood of the action on stage.

2. What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater?: While pratfalls and physical comedy are funny, I laugh more at a show that contains sharp wit and subtle sarcasm. I remember seeing THE FOREIGNER a couple of years ago and laughing so much that my face hurt when the show was over. As for crying, I can cry at a comedy as well as a drama; especially when the actors draw you in and get you to really feel their emotions, be it pain or joy. There are a couple of scenes in LOST IN YONKERS and OVER THE TAVERN that have taken me there.

3. Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR?: I have not yet been lucky enough to take in a theatre production in a place like New York or Chicago. That being said, I believe that the quality of actors in the Milwaukee metropolitan area is phenomenal. Being involved in community theatre, I am truly amazed at the number of excellent actors around here that rarely get paid and when they do, it isn’t nearly enough for what they do. The actor that I have been most impressed with recently is James Pickering from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. His performance in A CHRISTMAS CAROL every year is outstanding.

4. Has theater ever CHANGED your perspective? Your life?: Many people may answer this question from the side of seeing theatre. I would like to answer it from the perspective of being involved in theatre. Theatre has totally changed my view on the arts as a whole. I have really learned to appreciate the effort and commitment that goes into all artistic endeavors, especially theatrical ones.

What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Where did you see it? Why is it your favorite?: There are so many great plays that it is really hard to choose just one. For sentimental reasons, I would have to choose LOST IN YONKERS by Neil Simon. A few years ago, my son played Arty for the production at Waukesha Civic Theatre and I helped out as a dresser backstage. During the final weekend, my wife took over my backstage responsibilities for one performance so I could see the show. Although I knew all the lines from hearing them every night, seeing it for first time was an awesome experience. The emotion of that show has you laughing one minute and crying the next.

6. Why THEATER?: Because you never know what is going to happen. Every performance of a show is different. There are so many variables that come into play during a live theatre performance. You may have seen a particular play many times but the timing of the actors, the set design, the use of costumes, and overall direction will make each particular performance unique and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This post was submitted by Kurt Magoon.

Dawn Molly Dewane filled out the Your Live Theater Story Form.  You can too by clicking here.

1. What was the FIRST play you ever saw?: “Everybody Loves Opal” — an absolutely dreadful play that, of course, I found absolutely enchanting as a kid. The high school was producing it so our class got the privilege of walking a block to the high school to see the play. I also remember “being a good audience” lessons, something I wish was taught today.

2. What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater?: Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” with Stephen Hemming was laugh-out-loud, pee-in-your-pants funny. It was a perfect marriage of casting, timing and material. I love farce and a good production of “Noises Off” or “Lend Me A Tenor” or “Flea in Her Ear” will keep me laughing. I also remember a Milwaukee Repertory Theater production of “Noises Off.” There’s a bit in the last act when a character makes his entrance, not realizing his shoes have been tied together. The pratfall was so well done that I laugh thinking about it. The show had the biggest platter of sardines I’ve ever seen, too.

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater co-produced Shusaku Endo’s “Silence.” Lee Ernst had agonizing moments as the priest asked to renounce his faith. I could feel his emotions as if I was experiencing the feelings. Acacia Theatre produced “The Belle of Amherst” in a tiny space. I was excited to see the show, one of my favorites, and the show did not disappoint. In the second act, Emily Dickinson talks about her father’s death. In the hands of a lesser actor, the scene would be sad but Janet Peterson gave the scene so many levels that the scene became incredibly moving. Later in the act, Emily Dickinson talks about her nephew’s death. Like I did with Lee Ernst’s performance, I felt the emotions as I was doing the scene. I also saw “Master Class” at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. There’s a scene in the play when Maria Callas talks about not being able to perform. The script never has the actress playing Callas sing; rather the actor has monologues with recordings of Callas playing in the background. Angela Iannone is an amazing actress and she played the scene with so many levels that you felt Callas’ anger, sadness, grief and determination all at once. I found myself lost in her performance. I was watching Callas, not Angela Iannone playing Callas.

I guess that’s the best way to describe what makes me cry and/or laugh in a theater — the actor’s abililty to make me believe the reality he/she is creating. As an actor, I see many, many plays and there are not that many where I can say that is true.

3. Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR?: Jonathan West (and I’m not just saying that because it’s your site, Jonathan :))-his performance of Toby Belch in “Twelfth Night” was side splittingly funny. Jonathan has impeccable comic timing. I know I will laugh if I see him in a comic role.

Angela Iannone-she is amazing! Her Gwendolyn in “The Importance of Being Earnest” was hilarious. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the line “The suspense is killing me” delivered so well. Her Maria Callas was so real and incredibly moving. Her role in “Napoli Milionaria” had so many levels. There’s a scene at the end where her character needs medicine for a child and she has to ask a character whom she turned away when that character needed assistance.

Lee Ernst-I think he was so much range. I remember thinking Renfield was odd casting for him. When I saw Steven Dietz’ “Dracula” in the Stiemke, I was amazed at the physicality he used to become Renfield. I loved his Fool in “Servant of Two Masters.” His priest in “Silence” was wonderful. Even in a light role like Willum in “The Nerd”, Ernst brings great presence and skill, both comic and dramatic, to the stage.

Rose Pickering-I love Rose’s work. She is a great character actress. Her dowager character in “The Importance of Being Earnest” was hilarious. Her character in “The Nerd” is still memorable. I can still picture her taking out a handkerchief, small hammer and demitasse plate; setting each item down; wrapping the plate in the handkerchief and then smashing the plate to bits. I’ve seen Pickering in so many roles over the years and she never disappoints.

4. Has theater ever CHANGED your perspective? Your life?: Of course! Before theater, I was shy. Acting classes gave me self-confidence and helped me be more verbally articulate. I read plays growing up, learning about the world’s great playwrights. I became interested in opera through theater. I learned about theater as a vehicle for social awareness and change. I grew up in the 1980s. AIDS was the taboo few dared to mention. When Tony Kushner wrote “Angels in America”, it brought a difficult topic to the forefront. Plays like Shanley’s “Doubt” make it easier for the public to talk about the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal. Playwrights like Sarah Kane use graphic situations and language to be “in your face” about difficult topics. I doubt I will ever read as brilliant dissection of an unraveling mind than “4:48 Psychosis.” Who ever would have thought Stephen Sondheim could write a musical about presidential assassinations that would be enjoyed by audiences? Before theater, I was a “nice girl” destined to be a nurse or teacher as such girls become. I read the Bible and popular fiction. After theater, I still read the Bible (for faith and also as a historical basis for literature) and I read literature, pop fiction and, of course, plays.

What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Where did you see it? Why is it your favorite?: “You Can’t Take It With You”-This was the second play I ever saw. It was a high school production — another field trip in grade school. It’s also a play I’ve performed three times. To me, it’s a perfectly crafted comedy that is difficult to ruin. The comedy literally jumps from the page. I think I’ve seen “You Can’t Take It With You” at least 25 times. Yet each time I laugh when Kolenkhov wrestles Tony’s father and at Essie’s terrible ballet.

“Our Town”-I saw the film before I saw the play. I saw a community theater production of “Our Town” first. I vividly remember the third act because it was so well delivered. I remember crying as Emily realizes life goes by too quickly. I also remember this was the first play I’d seen without an actual set. It was new to me and I looked up everything I could find about Thornton Wilder and the play at the library. This was before the Internet so I had to use the card catalog. I was fascinated the play was considered somewhat avant-garde for its time and that Thornton Wilder played the Stage Manager for a short time during the run. I’ve acted in “Our Town” four times and seen “Our Town” at least a dozen times.

“The Music Man”-I love, love this show! It’s the one musical I can see over and over without tiring of it. I’m very much like Marian Paroo and Marian is my absolute favorite stage role.

“Midsummer Night’s Dream”-I’ve seen this show at least 20 times. The first time I saw this was at a college. Some productions were good; some mediocre and some downright dreadful. I still love the characters and comedy, though. Shakespeare’s text never disappoints and always enthralls. “As You Like It” and “Taming of the Shrew” are close seconds.

“Richard III”-my favorite Shakespeare history play-Richard III is one of those larger than life characters the audience loves to hate. The first time I saw this was a professional production in New York. His scene with Lady Anne is brilliant. The audience sees the subtle manipulation and sociopathic nature of Richard III. I took two friends who had never seen a Shakespearean play to see “Richard III” and they loved it. To me, it’s not as long or boring as some of Shakespeare’s other history plays.

6. Why THEATER?: I love the energy of live entertainment. I love seeing people create characters in front of me. I love creating characters for an audience and having (hopefully) the audience believe I am that character. Shakespeare inspires many theaters to update his plays. That may mean switching character gender (Taming of the Shrew). It may mean modernizing the setting (Julius Caesar). It may be a concept production — “Macbeth” done Kabuki style, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” set in a bedroom and “The Tempest” set in a mental hospital. Seeing creativity come alive is exciting. It makes me want to be a part of it. I will always choose a play over a movie.

This post was submitted by Dawn Molly Dewane.

Taken from a recording with Ray Jivoff at Skylight Opera Theatre offices on March 19, 2009.

1.     What was the FIRST play you ever saw? (Sharp in take of breath to kick things off) I think the first play I ever saw was when my elementary school put on a reduced version of CARMEN.  So it was a fifth grade girl singing “La Habenera”.  And then the next year they did HMS Pinafore.  (When told CARMEN is an opera and not a play, Ray reconsidered his answer.) Play?  That was so long ago.  I’m sure it was something like OEDIPUS at the amphitheater.  I was so distracted by the Parthenon, I don’t remember.  The Rep theater in the town that I grew up (Syracuse), offered high school tickets, and the school had a bus, and we would ride down and come back. And the only one I really remember is SHE LOVES ME.  But it’s not a play.  It’s a musical play.  I loved it.  And then years later I performed in it.  I’m sure that when I saw it I thought, “Oh, I’d be so good as Amalia!” but then I ended up playing one of the guys.

2.    What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater? I always like it when people fall down.  If they can’t get back up again I cry.  If it’s obviously a pratfall, I laugh.  Crying, I think it’s usual guess like someone being real nice to their mom.  That always makes me cry.  I’m one of those ones where people turn around and look at me when I laugh.  Not the most recent production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at American Players Theatre, but the one before that, I howled a lot during that.

3.    Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR? Cherry Jones, who we saw in New York in DOUBT. The other one about the penal colony…(Ray searches for the name of the play in a lot of different ways, including a quick Google search on his office computer)…OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD.  (Ray also realized from his Google search that Cherry Jones had done MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN and goes on about how great Laurie Birmingham was in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater production he saw several years ago.)

4.    Has theatre ever CHANGED your perspective?  Your life? I think it’s made me compelled to say something to someone, or to try and be truthful about something, or treat someone differently, or think about something different.  You know someone whose situation I might not have a connection to, so you learn something, like a minority or a kid or someone like that.

5.    What is your FAVORITE PLAY?  Where did you see it?  Why is it your favorite? There’s so many.  I do love MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.  Seen it a million times, directed it at the high school.  Love it.  Might be too easy though, because it’s so charming.  I’ve always wanted to see A LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT.  (Ray decided his love of MIDSUMMER needs further explanation.) I just think it’s really well constructed, really funny.  Love the language, love the characters, love the three worlds kind of rotating around.  I probably have seen that one more than any play.

6.    Why THEATER? Cause it’s live.  It’s happening right there in front of you. (I ask the question again, for  new answer.) Why not? (I ask Ray the A-B-C version of the question for three new answers) A. Because you’re in a room with a whole bunch of other people and they’re all experiencing it together.  B. It has everything about life all wrapped up inside it.  C. Someone took the time to make it up so you might as well help them achieve what they were hoping to achieve.