Matthew has been performing in theatre since he could stand. He has recently been most active with Blue Heron Theatre in Holly, MI and The Fenton Village Players in Fenton, MI. Below are snippets of notable reviews, followed by a list of his most notable performances.
Notable Reviews
Driving Miss Daisy
… Matthew Semrau played Boolie Werthan, Daisy’s son. … Semrau did a good job of portraying this character. … Semrau also did a good job of navigating between the comedic and the serious. … I gave this show five stars. They received a well-deserved standing ovation. … Unfortunately, Driving Miss Daisy was only performed over one weekend and was sold out. They could have easily done two weeks.
– Joseph M. Mishler, Flint Area Theatres (Full Review)
The Foreigner
… This production soon “took off” thanks to two performers with impeccable timing and characterization. Smith and Semrau started the show’s engine churning as they sat at the table having breakfast. This scene alone was worth the price of admission and it only got better. With their terrific timing, they were able to set the pace and brought the rest of the cast along on this laugh-filled ride. Smith’s vacant stare and subtle reactions are priceless as are his “attempts” at English, but his invented “foreign” language takes the cake! Semrau equals him with his terrific physical characterization of the obtuse Ellard’s confusion and eventual enthusiastic heroism.
– Kathleen Kirby, Flint Area Theatres (Full Review)
Don’t Drink The Water
As the zany magician priest, Semrau’s interpretation was consistent and believable. He made a good shot at sustaining a dialect and even pulled off a straitjacket scene which could have easily gone astray.
– Kathleen Kirby, Flint Area Theatres (Full Review)
Theatre & Performance Resume
WFVP “Radio” Show
Sunny Jim in “The Saint: High Fence”
Junior in “Life of Riley: Mother-in-Law”
Driving Miss Daisy
Boolie
The Fenton Village Players
Directed by Mary Powers
WFVP “Radio” Show
DeFranco in “Johnny Dollar”
St. George in “St. George and the Dragonnette”
The Fenton Village Players
Directed by Gary Smith
A Christmas Carol Abridged
Ghost of Jacob Marley
Holly Dickens’ Festival in Association with Blue Heron Theatre
Directed by Joseph M. Mishler
The Kitchen Witches
Stage Manager
The Fenton Village Players
Directed by Laura Legant
The Pony Expresso
Spice
The Fenton Village Players
Directed Stevie Visser
Civil War Cemetery Walk
James Watson Mothersill
Holly Historical Society
Directed by Linda Smith
Don’t Drink The Water
Father Drobney
Blue Heron Theatre
Directed by Joseph M. Mishler
Meeting of the Minds 2012 Performance Communication Recital
Chairman; Performer
Oakland University
Instructed by Dr. Aileen Sundstrom
Communication & Journalism Department Showcase 2012 Performance Communication Recital
Chairman; Performer
Oakland University
Instructed by Dr. Aileen Sundstrom
The Seven Year Itch
Doctor Brubaker
Blue Heron Theatre
Directed by Joseph M. Mishler
Meeting of the Minds 2011 Performance Communication Recital
Performer
Oakland University
Instructed by Dr. Aileen Sundstrom
Communication & Journalism Department Showcase 2011 Performance Communication Recital
Performer
Oakland University
Instructed by Dr. Aileen Sundstrom
Love Is Murder
Leon Ketchum
Blue Heron Theatre
Directed by Joseph M. Mishler
Midsummer’s Night Dream
Lysander
Michigan Youth Theatre
Directed by Dr. Lisa Kander
Servant of Two Masters
Silvio Lombardi
Michigan Youth Theatre
Directed by Dr. Lisa Kander
Oliver Twist at the Holly Dickens Festival
Orphan
Class Act 4-H Drama Club
Directed by Dr. Lisa Kander
Midsummer’s Night Dream
Lysander
Class Act 4-H Drama Club
Directed by Dr. Lisa Kander