1. What was the FIRST play you ever saw?: “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.” It was a junior high school production. I was in the seventh grade and was hooked for life.  The first professional production was “The Sound of Music” in Milwaukee. Again I was in junior high.

2. What makes you LAUGH and CRY in a theater?: LAUGH?-Physical comedy with well executed split-second timing is hard to beat. CRY?- Stories of non-understandable harships. Like Job,”Why Lord?”

3. Who is your favorite THEATER ACTOR?: James and Rose Pickering are favorites at the Milwaukee Rep.  And Deborah Staples.  Ray Jivoff at the Skylight.  And any teen that tackles a role in a high school production.

4. Has theater ever CHANGED your perspective? Your life?: Theater can unexpectedly lift my spirits when I’m in a poor mood. It can also make me stop and reconsider my point of view. It may not change my view, but it will make me stop and consider other aspects that I’ve not previously considered.

What is your FAVORITE PLAY? Where did you see it? Why is it your favorite?: The Milwaukee Rep mounted the English Mystery Plays back in the early 1970’s. It was magical. I certainly knew all of the Bible stories, but the “life” they put into them and the wonderful stage craft was fantastic. I was a regular usher there at the time. And I was in the habit of taking dates (girls and their parents were very impressed when I invited the girls to “The Theater”. I wouldn’t tell the girl we would be ushering until we arrived at the Todd Wehr Theater.) I enjoyed the English Mystery Plays so much I went twice- two different dates.

A very close second would be “Our Town” put on as a collaboration between the Rep and the National Theater for the Deaf. Each character had two actors, a regular speaking player and one that signed. Instead of being confusing, it gave a whole new perspective to language.

6. Why THEATER?: It’s live, immmediate, intimate. You can’t get that in a movie, even if it’s in a lush, big screen movie house. The most powerful stories are oftent the “little” ones. The ones that deal with relationships, with ethical struggle, with indecision. Live theater captures that best. It is best suited to teach how to deal with conflict and its resolution. Or its great cost when it can’t be resolved.

This post was submitted by Tom Dunigan.

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.