The love of the theater runs in the family for the brothers Mark-Alan C. Clemente and Jean-Paoul C. Clemente (J.P.). Both have directed plays at Desert Stages Theater this summer, earning each brother an ariZoni Award nomination.
Desert Stages Theater has been overtaken by the Clemente brothers this summer. Mark’s production, Agatha Christie’s long running show The Mousetrap, is being performed in the DST Actor’s Café while his brother J.P hosts his staging of The Rocky Horror Show across the lobby in Mainstage Cullity Hall. The Rocky Horror Show will be performing its last show on August 10 whereas The Mousetrap ends its run on August 18.
Originally from Milwaukee, the Clementes began their education in theater together by working at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and attending Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Though they are directing separately this time around, the brothers have been known to frequently combine their efforts to produce great theater in the past. “We work in partnership and true collaboration. Even when directing separate shows, we bounce ideas of each other,” says Mark.
This is not the first time the brothers have directed at Desert Stages Theater. Mark has directed and helped choreograph eight different DST shows while J.P. has directed and choreographed four shows prior to The Rocky Horror Show. Both directors have uncalculatedly selected Brophy College Preparatory students (one being a recent graduate) to take the lead in their shows. Mark saw the natural acting skills of Tristin Wood, 17, and promptly cast him in a starring role for The Mousetrap. During the auditions held for The Rocky Horror Show J.P. found his perfect actor for the role of Brad Majors in Michael Meyers, 18. “I truly believe that when it comes to casting a show, the cast will present itself during the audition process and that the essence of each character is dictated by the script,” J.P. says.
The Rocky Horror Show opened July 12 and will finish its last show on August 12. The Mousetrap premiered June 7 and will end on August 18. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students.
