Acacia Ushers in Christmas with Wauwatosa Actor in Humorous “Fish Eyes”

Wauwatosa actor, Matt Koester, returns for an encore performance of Acacia Theatre’s “Fish Eyes.” Koester again plays the apostle Andrew. “Fish Eyes,” a hit in Acacia Theatre’s 2014-2015 season, is the story of Jesus as seen through the eyes of two fishers-of-men, Peter and Andrew, an odd pair who hilariously misunderstand their Lord as they earnestly attempt to follow His call. This encore performance of “Fish Eyes,” written by Ted Swartz and Lee Eshleman, is again directed by Janet Bouman Peterson. The comedy has toured worldwide for 20 years, transcending culture, age and denomination.


The Acacia Theatre performance features what the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel referred to as the “dynamic duo” of Matt Koester and David Sapiro, with “jaunty and plaintive” fiddling by Therese Goode. “Fish Eyes” originated through improvisation by two men who met at a Mennonite University over 20 years ago. They took on the roles of Peter and Andrew, and tried to imagine what it might have been like to follow Jesus.

Acacia Theatre Company will perform the play in one special pay-what-you-like performance on December 5 at 4:00 pm in Concordia University Wisconsin’s Todd Wehr Auditorium, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive in Mequon, Wis.

Janet Bouman Peterson said, “It is extremely funny, and I feel we struck gold with the casting. David Sapiro and Matt Koester are deep three-dimensional actors, who also know humor and improvisation. We are blessed to have Therese Goode, an accomplished celtic fiddler, play for the production.”

Matt Koester, who plays Andrew, loves the fact that this is a play about characters that most people know. He said, “So, everyone should have an idea of who we are even before they step foot in the theater. What people don’t know are the thoughts and ideas and feelings that these real people had. It makes you realize these disciples are real people and are just like us.”

“I think the two characters, Peter and Andrew, are ideal stand-ins for all of us; we are all searching for some kind of Truth, and when we find someone who claims to have that Truth, we go through periods of firm, confident conviction, but also periods of crippling doubt. I certainly can identify with that struggle, and I hope anyone who comes to this show will see themselves in these characters,” said David Sapiro, who plays Peter.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
One performance will be given on December 5 at 4:00 p.m. with general admission. Tickets are pay-what-you-like at the door. For those who prefer optimal seating, doors will open at 3:15 p.m. Information will be available by calling (414) 744-5995 or at www.acaciatheatre.com.

About Acacia Theatre Company
Founded in 1980, Acacia Theatre Company is an independent, non-profit, interdenominational group of dramatic artists who share a common desire to integrate art and faith by presenting theatre from a Judeo-Christian worldview.


Photographer is Melinda Rhodebeck
Matt Koester (left) is Brown Jacket and David Sapiro is the other.