Get To Know 'Dr. Berensteiner': Martin J. Hughes

Full name? Martin James Hughes

Where you were born/where you were raised? Chicago, IL (I was born at Edgewater Hospital, which is no longer open, on Ashland Ave, less than a mile away from Rivendell!)

Your position/role within the A NEW BRAIN family? I play Dr. Jafar Berensteiner, whose name is never spoken in the show!

How would you describe your character? He's an extremely competent, yet insecure, neurosurgeon. A family man, for sure :-D

In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? A whole boatload of fun.

How would you describe Bill's writing? Authentic. The man really knows how to tune into the human spirit; struggle, anger, empathy, hope. That said, he also expects a hell of a lot of vocal aerobics with melodies and harmonies.

Fill in the blanks: ___Life___ + ___Inspiration___ = a song. 

What was your must-see TV show as a kid? This is a tough one. I'm going to go with Boy Meets World; I have a very lofty career aspiration to follow William Daniels' longevity. I mean, the guy played Mr. Feeny, John Adams and K.I.T.T., for goodness' sake!!

If you could be best friends with any cartoon character in the real world, who would it be? Dagwood. That dude knows his sandwiches.

Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life? Easy. William Daniels. Duh.

Special hidden talent? I'm one of those people who can make a clover with their tongue (that's my law of genetics).

Something you're REALLY bad at? Ice skating.

Favorite Chicago neighborhood? I've always been a big fan of Irving Park!

Current local show you have been recommending to friends? Anything friends of mine are in: hamlet is dead. no gravity. at Red Tape, Gypsy at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Playboy of the Western World at the Raven Theatre.

Most played song on your iPod? Probably "Candy" by Gavin DeGraw

Pop culture guilty pleasure? Once Upon a Time and Community.

Three things you can't live without? Tea, family, service.

"I'll never understand why… TMZ is still a thing when there's still world hunger."

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Come see Martin in William Finn and James Lapine's A NEW BRAIN February 21 - March 9, 2014 at Rivendell Theatre. Ticketing and performance information can be found at The Brown Paper Box Co.'s site.