Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents STRANGE SNOW by Stephen Metcalfe February 22 – March 17, 2019

Strange Snow

Milwaukee, WI. … Twenty-four hours. That’s how long it takes for three lives to change forever in STRANGE SNOW, Stephen Metcalfe’s powerful Off-Broadway success about two Vietnam war veterans struggling to clear the emotional fallout lingering long after war’s end. The production, directed by MCT artistic director C. Michael Wright, runs February 22-March 19, 2019 at the Broadway Theatre Center’s Studio Theatre in the Historic Third Ward.

Megs and Davey survived the Vietnam War, but they’re having trouble surviving back home. One April morning, bright and early, Megs is banging on his old buddy’s door, announcing the start of fishing season. He never suspects his friend’s sister Martha will open the door instead – to a myriad of wondrous possibilities.

STRANGE SNOW’s onetime war buddies will be portrayed by two veterans of the MCT stage: Marques Causey (Davey) and Ken T. Williams (Megs). Causey returns for his second season in a row, having appeared in THE BROTHERS SIZE last year, while Williams is making his first appearance since 2014’s OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN. They’ll be joined by Krystal Davis, making her MCT debut in the role of Davey’s sister Martha.

Stephen Metcalfe is a playwright, screenwriter and novelist, who was originally commissioned to write STRANGE SNOW by the Manhattan Theater Club in 1982. Subsequently, the play was adapted into the film Jacknife, starring Robert de Niro, Ed Harris and Kathy Baker.

In both that original production and the film, as in multiple productions throughout the country, all three characters have been portrayed by white actors. For this production, however, Wright is excited to center the story around an African-American family in the late ‘70s, a change which will add complexity to the dynamic between all three characters.

“There is great honesty and humanity in Metcalfe’s writing,” says Wright. “My favorite plays are gritty relationship plays, like this one, that offer a nice balance of humor and pathos.”

During STRANGE SNOW, MCT’s Community Partner will be Dryhootch, a nonprofit organization founded to help veterans returning home readjust to civilian life. Dryhootch’s most visible component is a retail coffee shop run by and for veterans, an alcohol-free environment where veterans can gather informally. In addition, Dryhootch offers peer mentorship programs, legal aid, addiction support groups, art therapy programs, and resources for family members. As part of our partnership, MCT actors will be visiting with veterans at Dryhootch and encouraging veterans and their families to join us for performances with talkbacks. Information about Dryhootch will also be made available in our lobby throughout the run of STRANGE SNOW.

STRANGE SNOW performances will take place February 22 – March 17, 2019 (Opening Night: Saturday, February 23), 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. STRANGE SNOW is co-sponsored by Deborah & Jamshed Patel and John Shannon & Jan Serr.

[ CAST ]

David ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Marques Causey

Martha ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Krystal Drake

Megs ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Ken T. Williams

[ PRODUCTION STAFF ]

Director………………………………………………………………………………………………….. C. Michael Wright

Stage Manager……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Veronica Zahn

Scenic Designer……………………………………………………………………………………………………. Keith Pitts

Costume Designer……………………………………………………………………………….. Jazmin Aurora Medina

Lighting Designer…………………………………………………………………………………………. Sarah Hamilton

Sound Designer……………………………………………………………………………………………. Kristian Wiborg

Propmaster……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Meghan Savagian

[ PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ]

P = Preview; O = Opening; T = Talkback;

V = ViewPoints; *= Talk Theatre; PWYC = “Pay What You Choose” Night

[ SPECIAL EVENTS ]

–Pre-performance ViewPoints: Join us for an insightful pre-show presentation on topics relating to STRANGE SNOW. This free presentation and Q&A is on Wednesday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.

–Pre-performance Talk Theatre: MCT producing artistic director C. Michael Wright will lead two lively, informative chats during the run of STRANGE SNOW. On Wednesday, February 27, our guest will be costume designer Jazmin Aurora Medina. Then, on Wednesday, March 13, our guest will be scenic designer Keith Pitts. Talk Theatre always begins at 12:00 noon in the Skylight Bar & Bistro.

–Post-performance Talkbacks: Post-show discussions with the artists will take place following performances on Thursday, February 28; Thursday, March 7; and Thursday, March 14.

—Pay What You Choose Night: STRANGE SNOW’s PWYC Night will be Wednesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for that night’s performance will go on sale beginning an hour before the show, at 6:30 p.m. Patrons must visit the box office in person to purchase their tickets, and can purchase a maximum of 2 tickets per order.

[ BIOGRAPHIES ]

MARQUES CAUSEY– David

Marques Causey is honored to return to the MCT stage. He was previously featured in productions of THE BROTHERS SIZE (Elegba) and PICNIC (Bomber). A native of Milwaukee, Marques received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has since worked with many theater companies in the area including Renaissance Theaterworks, Forward Theater, First Stage, In Tandem Theatre, Children’s Theater of Madison and Door Shakespeare.

KRYSTAL DRAKE – Martha

Krystal Drake is excited to be joining Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for STRANGE SNOW! Krystal cultivated her craft at UW-Milwaukee where she earned a degree in Theatre. Krystal has also studied acting in Los Angeles at the renowned Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Past theatre credits include: PIPPIN (Leading Player) at Skylight Music Theatre, NUBIAN STORIES (Nuba) at Renaissance Theaterworks, THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE (Ensemble) at Children’s Theatre of Madison, THE BED (Ensemble) at Theatre Lila, and BLACK NATIVITY (Mary, Ensemble) at Black Arts MKE & Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

KEN T. WILLIAMS – Megs

Ken returns to Milwaukee Chamber Theatre after previously appearing in both the staged reading and mainstage production of OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN, as well as the company’s Young Playwrights Festival. Ken has been blessed to have worked with some wonderful local companies including Renaissance Theaterworks, First Stage, Optimist Theatre, In Tandem, Windfall Theatre, Summer Stage, Alchemist Theatre, Cornerstone and Bunny Gumbo Productions. Ken is a proud member of Actor’s Equity.

MICHAEL WRIGHT – Director

Since joining the staff in 2005, Michael has directed quite a number of MCT productions including DOUBT, MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, THE FEW, LOBBY HERO, FALLEN ANGELS, SLOWGIRL, DRIVING MISS DAISY and THE TRAIN DRIVER, as well as four original works: CHRISTMAS IN BABYLON, OCTOBER, BEFORE I WAS BORN, THE DALY NEWS and DICKENS IN AMERICA (which he also directed at American Players Theatre). Before MCT, he served as Associate Artistic Director of Next Act Theatre for eight years. Since moving to Wisconsin in 1988, Michael has directed well over 100 productions. Some favorites have been THE STORY OF MY LIFE for Milwaukee Opera Theatre, THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW for Next Act, THE SYRINGA TREE for American Players Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks and Delaware Theatre Company and A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER for Next Act, Madison Rep and Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida. Michael has been acting professionally for over forty years, having appeared in regional theatres all across the country, as well as in Athol Fugard’s “MASTER HAROLD”…and the boys on Broadway, in Israel and in the national tour. His most recent performances have been as Paul in a concert version of A CHORUS LINE for Milwaukee Opera Theatre and Theater RED, and as Vanya in VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE here at MCT. In 2009, Michael was honored with an “Artist of the Year” award by the City of Milwaukee Arts Board.

MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE

Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (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 Finn, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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