In brief: J.C., 32, is in the midst of an amazing two-fer. He left Horizon Theatre’s reprise of Avenue Q (Rod, Trekkie, others) to play Clyde Barrow in the brand-new musical Clyde ‘n Bonnie: A Folktale at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. Clyde ‘n Bonnie, a tough ticket, has just been extended through April 15. Tickets: $25–$35. www.auroratheatre.com or 678.226.6222.
The “J” and the “C”: They stand for James and Charles, his grandfathers.
Hometown: Born in Loveland, Colo. Grew up in Sand Springs (near Tulsa) in Oklahoma. Moved to Memphis when he was about 10, and graduated from Sprayberry High School in Marietta.
Lives now: In the Decatur/Lake Claire neighborhood.
Where else you’ve seen him (in alphabetical order): Actor’s Express, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, Dad’s Garage, Georgia Shakespeare, Synchronicity Theatre, Théâtre du Rêve and True Colors Theatre Company.
Education: Traded rocket science for Shakespeare. Was studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech when he chose “happiness” over “financial stability.”
Day job: Not so far, but that may change since he’s decided to forgo a roommate.
First paid acting job: As the Clockwork Mouse in Theatre Tulsa’s production of The Velveteen Rabbit in 1984 or ’85.
Strangest paid acting job (tie): His first Hamlet, in which he went from full Elizabethan drag to Fortinbras in full armor with only a scene between. Or a closeted gay Republican investment banker that was a puppet. Or all three baby ducklings in Honk! at the Alliance Theatre.
Special skills — musical: Calls himself a “guitarist with a lot of toys.” He’s had no formal training but plays (from best to worst) guitar, violin, mandolin, cello, banjo, harmonica, dulcimer, piano, accordion, Cherokee flute, drums and saxophone.
Special skills —non-musical: Teaching and choreographing stage combat (rapier and dagger, hand-to-hand, broadsword and shield, quarterstaff and smallsword).
Fave playwrights: Shakespeare, hands down. For musicals, Stephen Sondheim. Also a fan of Lauren Gunderson, a San Francisco-based playwright who grew up in Decatur (Synchronicity’s Exit, Pursued by a Bear and Van Gogh Cafe; Class at Dad’s Garage;
Leap at Emory University).
Plugs: In June and July he’ll play Feste in Twelfth Night at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern.
Free time: Ha!
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Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, covering or working in the performing arts for most of her life. Please email: kathy@encoreatlanta.com.
