Actor Matthew Stocke has a Broadway resume that spans 20 years and six musicals, along with a slew of miscellaneous theater and television work.
The 44-year-old actor was born in Penn Hills and raised in Green Tree. But other than a visit to town as a cast member with the touring company of “Titanic, The Musical” and a 2005 reading/workshop at City Theatre, he has never performed in a full Pittsburgh theatrical production.
That will end Saturday, when he takes on the role of Turner in a world premiere City Theatre production of “Some Brighter Distance.”
Considered Mr. Stocke’s Pittsburgh debut, the play by Keith Reddin is based on true stories surrounding Operation Paperclip, a covert initiative established after World War II by the Truman administration to relocate more than 1,500 German scientists to the United States to develop weapons and space technology.
As Turner, an Army major, Mr. Stocke plays an integral role in bringing the scientists to the United States to develop the country’s rocket program and beat the Russians to the moon.
“Turner’s job is to make sure everything runs smoothly and see to it that the paperwork doesn’t reveal the identity of any of the scientists who may have been Nazis,” he said.
Mr. Stocke said the playwright has been involved in rehearsals for the past several weeks, and he finds Mr. Reddin to be very intelligent, funny and a fantastic writer. Considered a work in progress, the play and its script have been getting ongoing tweaking, which could continue up through opening night.
“It’s something that happens naturally in a new show,” Mr. Stocke said. “For an actor, it’s something that’s both challenging and thrilling. Fortunately, I’ve been lucky to have been involved in a lot of new works, so I’m sort of used to it.”
A 1995 musical theater graduate from Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Stocke made his Broadway debut in 1998 in “Titanic, The Musical.” His other Broadway credits include “The Boy from Oz,” starring Hugh Jackman; “Rock of Ages”; and a musical adaptation of “The Wedding Singer.” His most recent work was a world premiere production of “The Last Ship,” written by pop singer/songwriter Sting.
He said his most satisfying work to date came in “The Full Monty” as an understudy to best friend and former college roommate, Patrick Wilson, who has gone on to have a successful film and television career. Mr. Wilson earned a Golden Globe nomination for his role in “Fargo,” the new FX series, and will be in town at the same time as Mr. Stocke, directing “The Full Monty” at Carnegie Mellon.
“Matt has a terrific skill set and wonderful training from CMU and is a real pleasure to have in the company,” said Mt. Lebanon resident Tracy Brigden, who will direct the show. “Next time, we’ll have to find a use for his amazing singing voice, but for this play his great acting chops will have to do.”
Since arriving in town on Christmas Eve, Mr. Stocke has been living on the South Side, just a few blocks from the theater where he’ll be performing.
“It feels fantastic to be back in the city I love,” he said. “Since I left, the town has changed quite a bit. It’s younger, hipper and has developed some interesting urban neighborhoods. And I love the city’s vibrant cultural and food scene.”
A former pitching ace for the Bishop Canevin High School baseball team and an avid sports fan, he said he has black and gold flowing in his veins. One of the things he wants to do while in town is attend a Penguins game.
“If Mario Lemieux will let me sit in his box at Consol, I’ll get him two tickets to see my show,” he said jokingly.
When not on stage, he will spend time with his family, especially his mother, Linda, of Fox Chapel, and brother Greg, who jointly owns Nancy’s East End Diner in Wilkinsburg with his girlfriend, Markie Maraugha.
“I’ve had an incredible career so far and consider myself a lucky man to have been able to pursue my dream and career choice,” he said.
At the moment, Mr. Stocke also considers himself fortunate to be part of what he describes as “a brilliant play that features four incredibly talented actors and a wonderful director at City Theatre, nationally known for doing incredible work.” With nothing on the horizon after “Some Brighter Distance” closes Feb. 14, he plans to return to his Midtown apartment in New York.
“I’ll see what my agent comes up with next,” he said. “Every time my phone rings, my life seems to change.”
Dave Zuchowski, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: January 22, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
