Albert, Arkoff, and Paul Reyburn
Tell me about Albert and Arkoff. How are you approaching the characters? What about playing two characters in one play?
Albert Breyer is a bit of a nebbish and Arkoff is a showoff. Peter [Moore, director], Sophie [Peyton, assistant director], and I talked about their backgrounds. We decided that Albert is pretty low on the ladder so he tries to put on a good show, but it doesn't always work. Arkoff is "new money" and likes that he is rich and doesn't care much for anyone that isn't. They're very different so I worked to make sure they weren't terribly similar. Playing two (or more) characters in a show is a lot of fun, at least for me. There's no time to get "complacent" during a show. I have five costume changes in the show so I'm always thinking ahead.
Are they typical of roles you've played recently? Is the play's genre, the mix of mystery and comedy, something you've had experience with?
This is the first non-musical I've done in five years, I think. That was I Hate Hamlet, also with Peter Moore and Brandon Ewald. The role of Arkoff is sort of similar to the character I played in I Hate Hamlet, a TV producer, only not as over the top. I have "better" hair in this show. I've done mostly comedy and a few mysteries. I was a fan of the Ellery Queen short stories growing up, so I feel at home in this show.
I see you went to Moorhead State in the 80s. Have you been doing theatre in the Twin Cities ever since? If not, what drew you here and to do theatre here?
Moorhead State – in northwestern Minnesota, not the one in Kentucky! I guess now it's Minnesota State University at Moorhead or something. I graduated in 1986 (on the '6-year plan,' a.k.a. "You're out of money and need a job for a year and a half plan"). I worked on a couple of shows in that gap year – as an extra at the Guthrie in Cyrano de Bergerac and tech for the old Chimera Theater. Since graduation in '86 I've been working pretty steadily in the Cities in a variety of capacities – actor, director, technician, fight choreographer, stage manager, and now Communications Associate at Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake. It's interesting every once in a while to take a moment and (try to) remember all the shows and people.
I wonder if you've considered your evolution as an actor over the years?
I listen a heck of a lot better than I used to! I've always been a character actor, which I love, and years ago I would be looking for bits to get laughs. I still do that, but now I do it while listening more to what's going on around me. But really, I've learned that "less is more." Not that I won't go for a cheap laugh if it presents itself. The best note I ever received during a rehearsal was "F.U. Reyburn, you magnificent bastard!" He gave me free reign in that moment and I ran with it. I still have that note somewhere.
You've just finished a two-show day. Where do you go and what do you do after you leave the theatre?
Home to a Tanqueray & Tonic (spring & summer) or a Manhattan (fall & winter). It always takes me a little while to wind down from a show.
By Matthew Dicintio on July 16, 2017 / News