Jamie is theater’s MVP

Jamie Wilson has built an amazing career in theater  becoming one of the country’s most versatile theater actors.

Jamie has been performing on stage professionally for 33 years. He has played lead roles and has been in the ensemble and continues to value each experience as uniquely as the last. Over the last year he played multiple roles in Atlantis Production’s critically-acclaimed staging of Piaf, and then he dared to bare all as Dave Bukatinsky in The Full Monty, he then reprised his role of Dennis Dupree in the repeat run of the smash hit Rock of Ages, and was last seen as Mr. Stephens and Reverend Bliss in the critically-acclaimed Carrie The Musical. He now takes on the iconic role of Uncle Fester in the highly anticipated family musical comedy The Addams Family, which runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 1 at the Meralco Theater.

The Addams Family is a smash-hit Broadway musical comedy for the whole family that brings the darkly delirious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and of course, Lurch to spooky and spectacular life. The magnificently macabre new musical comedy is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa.

Director Bobby Garcia, who directs The Addams Family, and has worked with Jamie numerous times says, “Jamie is theater’s most valuable player. Not only do you get an extremely well-crafted performance, but you also get a collaborator and team leader who always loves what he is doing no matter what role he plays and puts the show above anything else. That’s what you hope all actors in your show can be like.”

Although rehearsals for The Addams Family are in full swing, we caught up with Jamie for a brief chat:

How did you get started in theater? What has the journey been like?

I started out by taking the Repertory Philippines Summer Acting workshop in 1980, which led me to my first role: Playing Theo in Pippin at the Meralco Theater. My father being an actor, I thought it would be really cool if I could grow up to be like him. My mom was also a part of Rep, as were my sisters. I loved the whole experience, and despite some ups and downs, some dry spells and a forced sojourn I find that my journey in theater reflects my life perfectly. I have learned more from the theater, working with a lot of amazing people, than I would have learned by staying in school. And it has definitely been a lot more fun!

You found yourself trying other things such as being an MTV VJ and working in an office desk job. What was that like?

I’ve held many jobs in my life; from working on the production side for theater, concerts and corporate events, being a sound engineer for advertising and albums, a bicycle messenger, a bartender, an MTV VJ to a corporate trainer, the one silver thread that runs through them all was my theater training. Theater teaches you cooperation, urgency, quality of work, personal standards, social skills and thinking on your feet.

After trying out different things, what brought you back to theater?

Theater has always been, and always will be my home. There’s nothing like it. I realized that doing one play a year wasn’t enough, and so I decided to go back full time. I am just very blessed to have gone through the experience of trying so many other things that made me miss being on stage and that directors like Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Chari Arrespacochaga and Bobby Garcia welcomed me back with open arms. I consider myself very lucky to be doing what I love to do!

What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?

The most important lesson that I have learned in my 33 years in Philippine Theater is that, no matter how talented you are, you’ve got to be easy to work with. I learned later on how to become a better company member, after a forced leave from theater, when nobody would touch me with 10-foot pole, because I was difficult to work with. And when I had to work my way back, it just proved to me that if you love what you do, you’ll respect what you do and cherish it and nourish it and take care of it the best you can. You’re only as good as your last show, so every play I do, I make sure to do better, both onstage and off. And if my director, producer and co-actors are happy with me and my work, then hopefully they’ll keep on getting me to be in their plays!

What attracted you to play Uncle Fester in The Addams Family? Did you grow up watching The Addams Family?

I simply love Uncle Fester! I grew up watching the Addams Family black and white television series, as well as the cartoons and eventually the movies. To play a role that’s dark and funny, macabre and endearing, sinister and sentimental is such a challenge! You have to find the right mixture of characteristics, and tailor your emotions to the demands of not only the character but what his journey in the play consists of; that he is also such a popular character makes it even more difficult, since I cannot stray too much on my portrayal, but still make him real. Playing Uncle Fester is proving to be challenging, but is also so much fun! Where else will I be able to play a homicidal maniac that sings love songs to the moon?!

What is it like working with Arnell Ignacio and Eula Valdes?

I love working with Arnell Ignacio; I have very fond memories of working with him years ago in Repertory Philippines, and most recently in Atlantis Production’s The Full Monty. He is just so funny! It’s never a dull moment with him; in rehearsals and on stage. He brings the comedic qualities of the characters he plays to life in such a real and uncomplicated way, that it almost seems effortless. I love the fact that we’re playing brothers in The Addams Family. He brings me such joy! And how can I not sing the praises of Eula Valdes? She just oozes cool. I loved her in Atlantis’ Nine, and was so thrilled to find out I’d be working with her! She’s like a big kid at play; just the other day during a break, we were singing all the Sesame Street songs together-now, how cool is that! I was also a bit worried about working with her, because I’ve had this huge crush on her for the longest time (but let’s not tell her that — she has no idea) and I’m constantly worried about degenerating into a blubbering idiot whenever I’m around her. I mean, how can you not love this woman?

What is the musical version of The Addams Family  like compared to the movies and the TV series?

The Addams Family musical, in my opinion, not only combines all the best versions of the characters from the TV series, cartoons and movies, but also updates and evolves them in a way that just makes sense. They’ve been growing into what we know and love them to be, and the musical just takes that logical next step in each of their characters, without losing what made us fall in love with this family in the first place.

What are your dream roles?

My dream roles? I never know how to really answer that question. I’d love to play The Pirate King in Pirates Of Penzance, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Javert in Les Miserables, Shrek in Shrek The Musical... but my dream role is really the one I’m playing now, as I am sure it will be the next one I play as well. Sometimes the dreams you come in with are not the same dreams that come true; what matters is that you never stop believing in them!