Meet the Cast of Walk Two Moons - Michael Peters

It’s time to meet another cast member of Walk Two Moons! Over the next few weeks, up until opening on November 5^th, we will be posting interviews with these amazing people. We thank them all for their hard work, and hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about them. Up now – smart and talented, Michael Peters, who plays Mr. Winterbottom and a couple smaller roles!

ASC: Are there any proverbs or sayings that hold special meaning for you?

Michael: To pull from theatre, a lot of Polonius’ advice in Hamlet: “Neither a borrower or a lender be,” “Give thy thoughts no tongue,” and of course “To thine own self be true.”  But…not necessarily all the clothing stuff he talks about…

ASC: Which character in the story do you most associate with?

Michael: I definitely have an association with Sal.  She’s always listening and really in tune with the people in her life.  I’m not sure if I’m always that way, but that’s the kind of person that I’d like to be.

ASC: Did you have a wild imagination as a child like Phoebe?

 Michael: Absolutely.  I was always trying to come up with new games with my friends and building various fantastical Lego vehicles and writing short (sometimes nonsensical) stories about insects…all sorts of general weirdness.  I haven’t changed much.

ASC: What moment in the show has had the deepest impact on you?

Spoiler Alert, many of their responses reveal details about the end of the show!!!!

Michael: Generally, I think the illness of Sal’s grandmother.  I lost the only Grandma I’ve ever known a few years ago, and while she was older, it all happened pretty quickly.  And she was always pretty spirited and lively, just like Sal’s grandma.  It really made me empathize with her.

ASC: Have you ever been on a road trip? If so, tell us about it. If not, what is a road trip you’d like to take?

Michael: Oh boy, I’ve been on a few.  I just took a big road trip to New York City last year with a bunch of guys from college.  We drove straight through, it’s lots of fun but can get pretty cramped after a while.  Got to see a bunch of friends I hadn’t seen in a while, it’s a bonding experience (with all the pains that go with it, too!).

ASC: Did you read the novel? If so, how did the novel help you develop your character?

Michael: Yes, and it really helped me.  I play a few different characters that don’t get as much face time as they do in the book, so that extra detail context really helps me figure out where they’re coming from when they are on stage.

ASC: What connection do you have to your character?

 Michael: I especially connect with Mr. Winterbottom, I feel I’m a pretty stoic person like he is.  It’s hard for me to open up emotionally sometimes because I’m so focused on working or the day-to-day stuff.  I can really empathize with what he’s going through.

ASC: What do you think the message of this story is?

 Michael: There’s a lot going on in the story, but I think what hit me the most is how much understanding and communication are important to our relationships and how we lead our lives.  Sal is a really compelling character because she’s so young, yet she comes to a place where she understands that the only way we can truly handle the ups and downs of this life is to share it with others, and in turn they will get you through the hard parts.  They also help you to savor the good stuff!

ASC: What challenges have you faced or do you anticipate facing with this production?

Michael: It’s always a challenge to play multiple roles, but it’s also exciting because I get an opportunity to create three completely different personalities.  I’m really looking forward to it!

ASC: What are you hoping someone will ask you after the show?

Michael: I just hope that I’ll be able to share what a great experience this has been.  Also, I just love questions in general.  Sometimes they make me try to explain things I think I already know, and if I don’t, I get to go find out the answers.

Thanks Michael! We can’t wait to see you bring your characters to life on stage. Also, special thanks to Merissa Shunk for doing the interviewing. We’ll post another actor’s interview on Tuesday, so be sure to check back for more!