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Meet Matt Baxter Luceno, currently in ELTC's "Within the Law"

originally published: 09/22/2014
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Playing the role of Richard Gilder in the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's production of "Within the Law" is Matt Baxter Luceno. His first appearance with ELTC was in "It Pays to Advertise" in 2012, and last year, he was Ichabod Crane in the world premiere of James Rana's adaptation of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Now, Matt plays the son of Edward Gilder, a Manhattan millionaire who sees to it that one of his salesgirls is sent to prison for three years for stealing goods from his department store. Although the clerk, Mary Turner, declares her innocence, Edward believes that if Mary goes to prison, this will be a warning to his employees, and the thieving will stop. Richard, knowing nothing of Mary's past when he meets her three years later, falls in love with her.

Is it true love? Or is it part of Mary's plan for revenge to get back at Edward Gilder? This is just one piece of the crime drama puzzle that involves a cast of thirteen playing a total of seventeen roles in "Within the Law" - the most popular play to hit Broadway in ten years when it opened in 1912 - and the largest cast ever for ELTC.

Unlike Richard Gilder, Matt hails from Montana, not Manhattan, and members of both sides of his family have been and are, involved in theater.

His love for the stage began in his Rocky Mountain hometown where he saw his father perform in "The Odd Couple," "Little Shop of Horrors," "The 1940's Radio Hour" and many other shows with the Missoula Community Theater.

"I spent a lot of time at a very young age backstage or at rehearsals with the actors and directors, and saw how productions came together," Matt explained. "They were a good group of friends and I liked the sense of community they shared."



 
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Both of Matt's grandparents on his mother's side were actors, and his grandfather Clement was also a director and a producer.

"As an actor, Clement worked mostly regionally, and a lot in Indiana, where he received his MA at Indiana University, and later taught speech there," said Matt. "My grandmother, Patricia, attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the same class with Charlton Heston, Jason Robards, and Helen Hayes's daughter, Mary. She actually ended up living with Helen and Mary in Helen's Manhattan apartment for a little while before Mary tragically died of polio at the age of 19."

"My great-grandparents, also on my mom's side, lived in Rye, NY in the oldest house in Westchester County. Marion Baxter Taylor wrote stories and poems that were published in magazines. Matt Taylor also had his stories published, but mostly, he was a Hollywood screenwriter. He and his brother, Sam, co-wrote a play that made it to Broadway in 1938, "Stop-over." Sam also directed films in the early 1920s-1930s, including "Coquette" starring Mary Pickford, in which she received the second Oscar ever given for Best Actress."

Matt had the opportunity of seeing not only his father perform, but was also able to see shows at Montana Rep, an Actors' Equity Association theater associated with the University of Montana. Since his parents were originally from the Westchester area of New York, not far from Manhattan, he saw a few Broadway and off-Broadway shows when visiting relatives.

"I wasn't heavily into theater until I was a sophomore in high school," continued Matt, "and then it took over my life. The drama teacher at Hellgate High School and my friend, the late Bolton Rothwell, was a huge influence, who offered great opportunities to do a variety of theater styles."

During his senior year, Matt auditioned for the Acting Conservatory program at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase. He didn't apply to any other such theater programs, even though he knew the application rate is high (usually around 1,000) and the acceptance rate is low.

Matt was accepted - one of only 23 - which made him "ecstatic." During the first two years,



 
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students are cut, which really prepares one for how difficult this profession is. Matt was kept for the full four years, and received the President's Award in Acting.

"I was able to work with a number of people - incredible teachers from different backgrounds, as well as my very talented fellow students," explained Matt. "I learned different techniques and took from this what works best for me. The late Joan Potter was a staple of the acting program, and I was fortunate to be able to learn from her and so many other inspiring teachers and directors who are tried and true professionals in the field. Joan was sort of a mentor for me while I was at Purchase."

After graduating from SUNY, Matt furthered his education with an Acting Fellowship at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., the recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award. One of the highlights for Matt was playing seven different ensemble roles under the direction of Robert Falls in "King Lear" starring Stacy Keach. He also went on as King of France a number of times during that award-winning production.

Back in New York, Matt has been in productions that include "Scapin" directed by Shawn Rozsa, a world premiere of "The Island of Doctor Moreau" directed by John McEneny for Piper Theatre, "The Merry Wives of Windsor Terrace" with Brave New World Rep, and most recently the world premiere of "Chemistry of Love" directed by George Ferencz at La Mama E.T.C. Regional work includes "Julius Caesar" at Shakespeare on the Sound, "Ion" at Shakespeare Theatre Company, and "Romeo and Juliet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Allentown Shakespeare in the Park.

His commercial work includes "Shark Week" on Discovery Channel and television includes an episode of "Guiding Light." Matt has extensive voice-over and industrial credits as well.

He's also been in several short indie films, and a feature, "Asabiyyah: A New Social Cohesion," in which he played the lead. It was recently shown at film festivals in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and New York City.

When asked about returning to East Lynne Theater Company, Matt responded, "It's great to be back in Cape May doing a show. I really love it here. I've gotten to know some wonderful people and there are so many unique small businesses, shops and restaurants. I love the atmosphere and spending time at the beach is always a bonus. I try to get there as much as I can. I never thought I'd ever have so many dolphin sightings. Working on "Within the Law" is a treat. It's a good, strong cast - a mix of a few actors I've worked with before and others I haven't, and I think we have something special here. Things are really happening on stage and no performance is ever the same. It's a playful group. The audiences have really been listening and responding to the play."

Matt Baxter Luceno, along with Jennifer Bissell, Tom Byrn, Ken Glickfeld, Patrick Hyland, Seth James, Meredith Lark, Lee O'Connor, Hillary Pusak, Thomas Raniszewski, Eric Stephenson, Gayle Stahlhuth (who also directed), and John Cameron Weber, can be seen every Wednesday through Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. in "Within the Law" through October 12, except there is no show on Wednesday, October 8, and an added show on Sunday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, Cape May, where ELTC is in residence. Tickets are $30 for general admission; $25 for seniors; and $15 for full-time students, and anyone age 12 and under is free. To make a reservation, call ELTC at 609-884-5898, or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

PHOTO: Thomas Raniszewski, Matt Baxter Luceno, Meredith Lark, John Cameron Weber, and Seth James in East Lynne Theater Company's production of "Within the Law." Photo credit: Gayle Stahlhuth



 
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