Trumpet grad cast as onstage musician in Marin Theatre 'Glass Menagerie'

• December 5, 2011 11:00am

Andrew Wilke, ’11 music, is making his Marin Theatre Company debut in “The Glass Menagerie,” running through Dec. 18.

Director Jasson Minadakis cast the trumpeter, with jazz emphasis, as an onstage musician who accompanies the action.

A review by Charles Kruger says, “This musician is understood to be the missing father of the family who, in the original stage directions, is represented by a portrait that dominates the apartment. Mindakis’ innovation is consistent with Williams' conception of the play (for which music was always an integral element) and I think we can safely assume he would have been delighted. 

“Andre Wilke's musicianship is a pleasure throughout, as is his silent body language that suggests a good deal of the father's character,” writes Kruger in “Theatrestorm.”

“This role has been interesting, seeing as I am the only musician for the show, and am standing at the top of the stage the entire show,” said Wilke. 

“It is a much more exposed playing situation than you normally have to deal with, so I have really had to make sure when I'm playing my horn I am on top of it as possible. The director really gave me a lot of freedom with how I am playing the music, which was written by local composer Chris Houston.

“A lot of the music I am playing is supporting a monologue or some type of action happening on stage. This requires me to play with lots of sensitivity and try to use my musical voice to support what the actors are trying to express with their voices and actions,” said Wilke, who has no acting experience, but has learned to support the actors through body language.

Wilke’s Bay Area theater credits include children’s theater productions at Berkeley Playhouse, “The Music Man” at Starstruck Theatre; “A Chorus Line,” “West Side Story,” “Something’s Afoot” and “Oliver” at Pinole Community Theater; and “Sophisticated Ladies” at CSUEB. 

He is featured on recordings by “A Class Act,” “Bobby Joe Ebola & the Children MacNuggets,” “James Nagal, Pomplamoose” and “Jack Conte.” 

Currently studying with Erik Jekabson, Wilke previously had two years of classical study with Jeff Biancalana (San Francisco Symphony). 

DD