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Role reversal: Actor takes nontraditional turn in role for 'Into the Woods'
Penny Case photos
Hunter Bruegger, Miranda Faist and Emily Babcock rehearse a scene from Rock River Repertory Theatres upcoming production of Into the Woods. The show runs Aug. 13-15 at Parker High School in Janesville.
Penny Case photo
From left: Sullivan Saliby, Michael Rick, Diana Gutierrez, Faith Green and Addison Schuh rehearse a scene from Rock River Repertory Theatres upcoming production of Into the Woods. The show runs Aug. 13-15 at Parker High School in Janesville.
Penny Case photo
Deshawn Christiansen rehearses a scene from Rock River Repertory Theatres upcoming production of Into the Woods. The show runs Aug. 13-15 at Parker High School in Janesville.
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Hunter Bruegger, a 2021 graduate from Parker High School, applies eye makeup prior to rehearsals for Rock River Repertory Theaters production of Into the Woods.
Penny Case photo
Hunter Bruegger, a 2021 graduate of Parker High School, appears in full makeup for his role as Cinderellas stepmother in Rock River Repertory Theaters production of Into the Woods.
JANESVILLESince landing his first role as Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man at age 8, Hunter Bruegger has loved doing theater.
He enjoys the camaraderie that comes with being part of a tight-knit cast.
He appreciates directors willing to share their knowledge and experience.
He relishes harnessing the raw emotion needed for drawing an audience deep into whatever story is being told.
Perhaps most of all, he thrives on the escapism that comes with transforming from one character to another with each and every show.
What really appeals to me is stepping into someone elses shoes in a script someone has written, Bruegger said. You get to be who you want to be because you get to make up your own characterization. You get to be a completely different person for an hour or two while youre performing.
The 2021 Parker High School graduate will enthusiastically take on a new artistic challenge Aug. 13-15 when he steps into the role of Cinderellas stepmother for the Rock River Repertory Theatre production of Into the Woods at Parker High.
The twist on this is that Im a guy portraying a woman, so I am doing the show in full drag, Bruegger explained.
Janesville, Wisconsin doesnt have a huge drag community, so we dont have a lot of performers that do these sorts of things. People usually just go see a show, and its stereotypical for a guy to play a guy and a girl to play a girl. But were kind of switching it up.
Written by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods tells the story of a baker and his wife who remain childless due to a witchs curse. To break the spell, the pair must venture off into the forest and recover four items: a milk-white cow, hair as yellow as corn, a slipper of gold and a blood-red cape.
The couples search for these items brings them in contact with famous fairy tale characters Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Jack (of beanstalk fame), each of whom also has a wish he or she wants granted. Though all parties desires eventually come to fruition, each is accompanied by unexpected and disastrous consequences.
Though Brueggers turn as Cinderellas stepmother also was unexpected (he was originally tabbed to play Cinderellas steward), his willingness to tackle the role likely helped the production avoid some disastrous consequences of its own.
I was having an issue finding an actress to do the role, said director Jim Tropp. I was at rehearsal one night, and Im watching, and I knew Hunter did drag because he was a student at Parker and I had seen photos. So I checked with our music director (Jacob Schmidt) and asked him if he thought maybe Hunter could do (the role), because there is some singing involved. Jacob was like, Yeah, he could do it.
When (Hunter) came over by me that night and we were talking, I just asked him out of the blue if he would consider playing the stepmother in drag, Tropp said. There was no hesitation. He was like, Oh yeah, Id do it, and that was it.
For some time now, Brueggerwho plans to attend UW-Stevens Point this fall in pursuit of a drama degreehas been cultivating his own drag alter-ego persona, Layla Lovegoode. A longtime fan of RuPauls Drag Race, Bruegger even dedicated a large part of his free time during COVID-19 lockdown to perfecting his makeup skills in preparation.
(Layla is) super fun, and I enjoy putting her on sometimes in my own house, he said. Someday, I would like to be able to perform on an actual stage or in a club and actually have my own show. I love doing theater, and I see that more as a career option, but having drag is like a different side.
If you think about it, the aspects are the same, he added. Theyre all about performance, doing your own thing and being open-minded.
Despite being a self-proclaimed introvert, Bruegger said he enjoys the attention he gets on stage. And as he continues to gain comfort with his role as a drag artist, he said he is not concerned by any criticism drawn from his new role.
Having a strong cast flush with familiar faces by his side also should help quell any worries.
I dont have any fear, because its like, yeah, this is gonna get attention, but then its also going to get attention for all of my amazing castmates, Bruegger said. There are so many talented people here with so many memorable faces from the Parker stage in years past. Its like giant family reunion, so I dont really feel like its just about me. Its about everyone.
I really dont feel any pressure, he said. Im just gonna do my thing, and Im gonna do it great.
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Beloit Civic Theatre plans 2021-2022 season
BELOIT—Curtain up! Light the lights! You got nothing to hit but the heights!
The excitement of a new Beloit Civic Theatre season came through as clear as the lyrics from the Broadway musical “Gypsy” when two board members spoke about the theater group’s planned performances for 2021-22.
“Two months ago, we had our first in-person board meeting,” said BCT Board Vice-President Loren Sass. “It was fabulous. All of the board said they wanted to do a new season.”
The news is especially exciting because there hasn’t been a performance in about two years due to the COVID-19 virus, said Sass and board President Pat Hoye.
While there is still some uncertainty about the virus, the board is moving forward in hopes theater doors will open to the public and that curtains will rise.
However, there will be a few changes in the program.
Usually, three plays are offered, and they are offered in the Betty Reinholtz Theatre at Beloit Memorial High School.
“We thought we would do three plays, but we don’t know for sure when the high school is letting us in,” Sass said. “Therefore, it would be difficult to plan a fall show.”
Looking ahead to 2022, the board decided on two offerings.
The first is an intriguing mystery, a whodunit with the title “The Game’s Afoot,” by Ken Ludwig and is directed by Doris Tropp. The amusing thriller promises plenty of laughs and intrigue.
The second production suggests a fun-loving musical that reminds folks of the days when attendants really did pump gas, and they could sing, as well. Add to that the talent of two singing sisters/waitresses and you have “Pump Boys and Dinettes.”
The musical, a tribute to life by the roadside, was written by Mark Hardwick, Jim Wann, John Schimmel, Debra Monk, John Foley and Cass Morgan, and it is directed by Janet Palmer.
What hasn’t changed this year are opportunities for both matinees and evening performances.
“The Game’s Afoot” will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 3-5. Matinees would be at 3 p.m. Saturdays Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, and Sunday, Jan. 30.
“Pump Boys and Dinettes” is scheduled to take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, April 28-30 and May 5-7. Matinees would be at 3 p.m. Saturdays April 30 and May 7, and Sunday, May 1.
Though plans are in place, board members address uncertainty caused by COVID-19 in the BCT’s new brochure.
“As we prepare this season’s brochure, we are still in a period of uncertainty, and things may still change if the novel coronavirus does not come under control. We are hoping that by the time we get to January we can all come together without masks and without social distancing,” the brochure reads
Regardless, Beloit Civic Theatre expenses will go on, the board explained. There is rent to be paid for the group’s downtown office and warehouse space for props and costumes, plus insurance and utility bills. Additionally, all royalties and licensing for the upcoming plays have been paid, Sass said.
Sass and Hoye said they are grateful for past support shown by theater patrons.
“Fortunately, the great majority of our season subscribers did not ask for a refund for last season’s canceled performances,” board members said.
Due to circumstances, however, attendees should expect to pay the same price for two plays this year as they previously had for three, Sass and Hoye said.
Those interested in purchasing season tickets must have their orders postmarked no later than Oct. 1. Cost for season memberships, which grant access to both plays, are $25 per person or $20 per person for students or those ages 60 and older.
Seat preferences should be included when order forms and checks are sent to the BCT office, 1225 Fourth St. Beloit.
Those interested in attending only one play can pay $10 per person at the door, but advance seat reservations are required. Reservation confirmations are mailed to ticket buyers.
For more information or to obtain a brochure, call the BCT box office at 608-362-1595 or email beloitcivictheatre@gmail .com. Auditions for “The Game’s Afoot” are planned Nov. 1-2.
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