Media Release - MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS

Monday, October 04, 2010

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre presents
Main-Travelled Roads
Music by Paul Libman; Book & Lyrics by Dave Hudson
From the stories of Hamlin Garland
October 14 - 31, 2010
Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot Theatre 

Milwaukee, WI. … Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) presents the Milwaukee premiere of the musical MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS by Paul Libman and Dave Hudson, October 14-31, 2010. Based on the short stories of Wisconsin-born, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Hamlin Garland, MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS debuted at American Folklore Theatre in Door County in 2007. It went on to win the Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater in 2007.  Milwaukee actor and theatre artist Molly Rhode makes her professional directing debut with this production. MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS performs in the Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

 

In this award-winning new musical, Aggie and Will are naïve, but deeply smitten with each other until circumstances send them down separate paths. Meanwhile Ed, the creamery man, turns to Nina, the Dutch girl, for advice about women, and Delia and Otis learn that it's never too late for an old maid and an old goat to fall in love. This chamber piece weaves interlocking tales of reverie and romance in 1880s Wisconsin.

 

The creators of MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS based their musical on three of Hamlin Garland's short stories found in the collection entitled Main-Travelled Roads, published in 1891. Hamlin Garland

(1860-1940) was born near La Crosse in West Salem, Wisconsin. In 1884, he went to Boston to begin his writing career and his stories about rural life gained him quick popularity. Garland became a prolific author, writing over 45 books and nearly 500 pieces for periodicals. Though best known for his  reflections on Midwestern life, he visited many regions of the United States in search of adventure and writing material. During his lifetime he was intimately involved with the major literary, social and artistic movements in America and his interests extended to nearly all aspects of American society. In   1917, he published A Son of the Middle Border, an autobiography of his early life and his experiences with westward expansion. It was so popular that he soon followed with A Daughter of the Middle Border, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1922.

 

Paul Libman (music) and Dave Hudson (book and lyrics) have written six musicals together since they began collaborating in 2003. They are the only two-time winners of the Richard Rodgers Award, which was created for the development of new musical theatre. Their productions of MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS (2007) and DUST AND DREAMS (2005) received the prestigious award. Several of their musicals have been produced at American Folklore Theatre in Door County including MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS, MUSKIE LOVE, A CABIN WITH A VIEW and CHEESEHEADS, THE MUSICAL.

 

A favorite on local stages, Molly Rhode will be behind the scenes making her professional directing debut. Alissa Rhode, Molly's sister, will provide musical direction. Continuing the family connection, Molly's husband Chase Stoeger (HAY FEVER) will play multiple roles in the production. Both Molly Rhode and Chase Stoeger were in the cast of the 2007 world premiere production at American Folklore Theatre.  Making their MCT stage debuts in multiple roles are the husband and wife team of Clare Arena Haden and Scott Haden, and recent Marquette University graduate Jennifer L. Shine.

 

CAST 

Nina, Delia & Mrs. Dingman - Clare Arena Haden
Dave & Ed -  Scott Haden
Aggie & Lucinda - Jennifer L. Shine
Will, Otis & Mr. Kennedy - Chase Stoeger

 

MUSICANS

Pianist - Alissa Rhode
Bass Player - Rich Higdon

 

Production Staff

Director - Molly Rhode
Music Director - Alissa Rhode
Scenic Designer - Lisa Schlenker
Costume Designer - Ellen Kozak
Lighting Designer - Jason Fassl

 

 

 

 

Special Events:

--Pre-performance ViewPoints: a free, pre-show presentation by Composer Paul Libman and Playwright/Lyricist Dave Hudson, about their collaboration in creating the award-winning musical, MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS on Wednesday, Oct. 20 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 MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS Director Molly Rhode beginning at 12:00 noon before the matinee on Wednesday, Oct. 27.  Lunch served in The Skylight Bar & Bistro from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

--Post-performance Talkbacks:  Post-show discussion with the cast following performances on Thursday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 28.

 

 

MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS performances will take place October 14-31, 2010 in the Broadway Theatre Center's Cabot Theatre, 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.  Single tickets, $15-$38, 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 are available online - 24 hours a day at milwaukeechambertheatre.com. Group, student and senior discounts are also available.  Season ticket packages are still available and can be purchased by calling (414) 276-8842. For more information, visit milwaukeechambertheatre.com. MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corporation Foundation, Inc. and George & Julie Mosher.

 

BIOGRAPHIES

 

CLARE ARENA HADEN - Nina, Delia & Mrs. Dingman
Clare Arena Haden makes her Milwaukee theatre debut with MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS.  She recently moved to Milwaukee with her husband, actor Scott Haden, after receiving an MFA in acting from UW-Madison in May of 2009.  Roles there included Ms. Pennywise in URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, Abby in THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS and Stella in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.  She was also seen at Children's Theatre of Madison as The Ghost of Christmas Past in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. She has worked as a vocal and dialect coach for American Players Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, The Alley Stage and Children's Theatre of Madison.  This summer, she and her husband directed the youth theatre programs for the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, Colorado. 

  SCOTT HADEN - Dave & Ed
Scott Haden makes his Milwaukee Chamber Theatre debut in MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS with his wife Clare Arena Haden. He comes to Milwaukee via Madison and Chicago, where he has performed with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Writers' Theatre and Madison Repertory Theatre. Roles at American Players Theatre include Cornelius in THE MATCHMAKER, Cloten in CYMBELINE and Nicola in ARMS AND THE MAN. He also serves as the managing director for the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake, Colorado.

 

JENNIFER L. SHINE - Aggie & Lucinda
Jennifer Shine is making her MCT performance debut in MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS. A graduate of Marquette University, Jennifer lives in Chicago where she performed with Village Players Theatre and Handbag Productions. Credits include Val in A CHORUS LINE and Clarice in RUDOLF THE RED-HOSED REINDEER. Academic credits include Hannah Ferguson in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, Amalia Balash in SHE LOVES ME and the title role in MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE. She first worked with MCT as a directing intern for the 2008 production of WELL.

 

CHASE STOEGER - Will, Otis & Mr. Kennedy
Chase Stoeger returns to MCT after appearing in HAY FEVER.  He performed in the 2007 world premiere of MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS at American Folklore Theatre.  In addition to performing regularly with AFT, he has also been seen at Skylight Opera Theatre in A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE, THE PRODUCERS, THE MIKADO and CABARET.  A graduate of UW-Whitewater, he has also performed with Milwaukee Shakespeare and Bialystock & Bloom.

 

MOLLY RHODE - Director
MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS marks Molly Rhode's directing debut at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.  She was previously seen onstage at MCT in TRYING.  As an actress, she has performed with many Milwaukee companies including Skylight Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theaterworks, First Stage Children's Theater, Next Act Theatre and Milwaukee Shakespeare. She makes Milwaukee her home, but she has spent many summers at American Players Theatre, the Utah Shakespearean Festival and American Folklore Theatre. She appeared in the 2007 world premiere of MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS at American Folklore Theatre. She holds a BFA in theatre studies from Southern Methodist University.

 

ALISSA RHODE - Musical Direction
Alissa Rhode makes her MCT debut with MAIN-TRAVELLED ROADS.  She has worked as music director, arranger, composer and pianist/conductor for a number of companies. She has a bachelor's degree in music composition from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in liberal studies from UW-Milwaukee. She serves as lead music director for the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, Eurythmy pianist for Tamarack Waldorf School and teaches private lessons.

 

#####

  MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE
Founded in 1975, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) produces intimate, high-quality, professional theatrical works of literary merit 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, MCT performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward. For more information, visit www.milwaukeechambertheatre.com

Download Here < Back To News & Media