Stage Profile: Jonathan Adam Ross at TheatreWorks

Jonathan Adam Ross

Jonathan Adam Ross performs his two solo "Walking in Memphis: The Life of a Southern Jew" and "God of Our Fathers," as part of Playhouse on the Square's solo works series this month. Ross grew up in Memphis and graduated from White Station High School. He moved to New York 10 years ago and lives in Manhattan. His first solo play, "Walking in Memphis," has been performed across the country and throughout England.

Q: Both of your plays focus on being Jewish. How do they differ?

Jonathan Adam Ross

A: "Walking in Memphis" is about my own upbringing. I play all the characters in my life. I think what gets me so many bookings -- especially in exotic places like Des Moines -- is that people think it's so unique that I'm Jewish and living in the South. But every unique story is universal at heart.

Q: And "God of our Fathers?"

A: It's a fictional story that I co-wrote with J. Michael Feldman, who's written for Comedy Central. It's about a Jewish family living through a generation of assimilation.

My mother died a few years ago, and a friend of mine who is a rabbi asked me what I was working on. I said I wanted to do a show about death. He said, "Don't you think that's a little too soon? What you need to do is a show about a bar mitzvah!" Instead, I came up with a lifecycle piece. The play takes place over 13 years at weddings, bar mitzvahs, funerals, and the audience sees how the family grows and changes.

Q: Are you devout in your faith, that is, what we might call "practicing"?

A: (Laughs) Uh, is this where I give the generic answer about being a "spiritual" person? Judaism plays a large part of my identity. I can't ignore that Jewish culture has a great tradition of storytelling, and I'm a storyteller. The world is globalizing at a fast rate and traditions end up influencing how we live our lives in the now.

I was performing "God of Our Fathers" at the University of Wisconsin, and when I was doing the talkback with the audience, an elderly Jew raised his hand and said, "I imagine this show would only be relevant to a Jew." Right then, a Muslim woman in full hijab said "No, no, no, this is my family too!" And then an African-American woman raised her hand. I thought she'd confirm that we're all in the same boat. But she asked, "What's a kugel?"

Q: How did you get your start in solo performance?

A: I saw Elaine Stritch on Broadway and thought, "I want to do that!" Then I had to come up with a story. She dated Marlon Brando, had a great life. I was a 20-year-old with zits.

But I just didn't want to sit around waiting tables. I had to take the initiative rather than wait for someone to call me off the bench and be in a show.

-- Christopher Blank: 529-2305

Jonathan Adam Ross

Jonathan Adam Ross performs in "Walking in Memphis: The Life of a Southern Jew" and "God of our Fathers" 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at TheatreWorks, 2085 Monroe. Tickets are $20. Call 726-4656.

Playhouse on the Square's Solo Works Series at TheatreWorks

Jan. 22-25: "Moliere Than Thou" and "Criteria," by Timothy Mooney

Jan. 29-Feb. 1: "From the Heart of a King," by Darius Wallace

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