Next month, Chris Murray makes his Public House Theatre Company debut with "Stones in His Pockets." This season opener is directed by Michael Mendelson and also features Public House Theatre Company Artistic Director Dustin Milberg. Chris most recently appeared onstage at CoHo's in "Hamlet" and will be seen in the upcoming "Futura" at Portland Center Stage. Other Portland credits include "Sometimes a Great Notion" (PCS), "Mr. Marmalade" and "Take Me Out" at Artists Rep; "The Receptionist" at CoHo Productions; and several shows at Profile Theatre including "Six Degrees of Separation" and "The Sisters Rosensweig." Additionally, Chris has appeared in "A Skull in Connemara" at Third Rail Rep, where he is a company member.

The following interview was conducted by Public House Theatre Company Artistic Advisory Board member, Dean Backus.

PP: Irish plays have really come into their own over the past decade. Do you see any sort of connective tissue between "A Skull in Connemara" and "Stones in His Pockets?"

CM: Well, Connemara (the setting for Skull) and Kerry (the setting for Stones) are pretty similar counties. They're both populated by people who work the land for a living, and (are) very simple people. (Skull's characters) are the kind of people who you'd see as extras on set in Stones. But the accents are totally different; that was an unpleasant surprise. (Laughs) Connemara's is much more pronounced, more musical. It's a lot more flattened tone in Stones.

PP: Several of your most notable works have been in larger ensembles. What's it like doing a two-man show?

CM: Totally different! I've only done one other "two-hander" in my life. (Here) all of your scene partners are the same person, so you need really good connectivity... Dustin is everything in this show to me - friend, lover, co-worker, boss.

PP: What about Public House Theatre Company attracted you to want to work with them? With Michael Mendelson?

CM: Michael and I have worked together ("Mr. Marmalade"), and we've been friends for years. I used to be involved with Stark Raving, which was a previous lease holder at CoHo, so I have a sense of belonging in a CoHo space, especially since Stark went under in 2006. It's like coming back home to do a show. I'm incredibly excited about how taken care of I feel with Public House Theatre Company and Dustin and Jolin and Michael - I'm getting everything I want out of the rehearsal process, it's been really, really fantastic.

PP: What do you think Stones is saying about stardom or fame? How do you see that tying in with today, when "everyone" is a star via Twitter, etc?

CM: I think the idea of stardom kills the idea of collaborative art - you get a "name," it becomes all about the star. Then it's, "You can't say anything, you're just an actor." It's too bad; anyone can be a collaborator. (Look at) George Lucas on "The Phantom Menace." He shows things to his people - Jar Jar Binks! - and says, "Does this work?" and everyone says, "Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah." No one would be honest and give their real opinion. (We geek out and talk about "Star Wars" for a few...)

PP: The theme for this Season is "More Than Meets the Eye." What about you is "more than meets the eye?"

CM: I have an intense, worrying, self-criticism that cripples me... (laughs)... and I'm a huge nerd! How much I worry about the roles I'm in, and the roles I'm going to get, that I can cripple myself with self-doubt. As my wife will tell you, (once cast), it's one long year of self-doubt and self-laceration. (laughs)

PP: You teach Shakespeare and just completed a run in "Hamlet". What Shakespeare roles/plays are on your future wish list?

CM: It's hard because I'd love to play Richard. (Also) I'd love to tackle Moliere's "Tartuffe." As far as Shakespeare goes, I'm going to take a seat for a while. I don't want to just play... well; I've always wanted to play Laertes (in "Hamlet"). But I don't want to play it at just any theater. I want to do it in a great production with a collaborative director and vision. I don't know what the point is in making art with a bunch of people in the room if you don't like them; otherwise, go be a stand-up comic. That's what I love about Third Rail: it's all about collaboration—it's part of our mission statement--everyone is working together to tell the story, and there's no ego involved.

PP: You and your wife's pugs are named Pancake and Strudel. If you got a third, would you name it Strata, Blintz, or Pufflecha (a.k.a. Dutch Baby)?

CM: (Laughs) It would probably be named something different, to keep the rule of three in action, something like Whiskey Bomb... or Jaegermeister. The perfect breakfast!