Some stand-out factors of the show: great hook, interesting storytelling devices, and fine character work. These are, in this critic’s opinion, the hardest and most important pieces of the puzzle that set solo sketch apart. In 7 Stages of Jonald, Reyes tells a difficult story worth telling, and he does so in a way worth hearing. Tonight's your last chance to catch the show, so don't let this one pass you by.
The 7 Stages of Jonald has a limited engagement of Wednesdays 9/3 and 9/10 at 8pm. Tickets are $10. For more info, check out the Public House Theatre Box Office.
Keep up with Jonald Jude Reyes at his website, the Jonald Reyes information center.
Check out more reviews at http://www.thesketchreview.com and find us on facebook at http://facebook.com/TheSketchReview
Preview for "The 7 Stages of Jonald" and Interview with Jonald Jude Reyes
Preview by Fin Coe
Jonald Jude Reyes is a man about town in a city full of comedians looking to make their mark. Putting a lot of hard work into the difficult marriage of theatre and comedy, he has earned recognition for writing and performing sketch and improv, while also making a name for himself as a director of straight theatre, most notoriously winning the Chicago Reader’s Best Director three years in a row. Of course, it helps that he’s in touch with good producers; like, say, himself. Reyes’ friendly smile is a common sight at comedy festivals, many of which he plays a considerable role in making a reality.
Fin Coe Tell us a little about yourself.
Jonald Jude Reyes I was actually born in Chicago but grew up in Jersey. My Jersey accent comes out when I Direct people - it's pretty much just me cursing a lot (out of excitement). I went to Rutgers University and was part of a fraternity, Alpha Kappa Lambda, which surprises people. But it was actually there when I started becoming really good at organizing groups, which has transcended into my involvement with comedy Festivals in Chicago. Beyond the theater work I do (which is a lot AND which I'm completely grateful for!), I love watching movies, cooking, and trying to catch up on Netflix stuff. I'm a documentary nerd. And lastly, I have gout.
Coe What's the last documentary watched?
Reyes I've been watching these Morgan Spurlock (from Super Size Me) episodes on Netflix called "Inside Man." They're fantastic! My favorite episode right now is when he compares the US educational system against other countries and trying to figure out why US test scores are low.
Coe What's your performing experience been, broadly speaking?
Reyes My performance training has only come from the big 3: Second City, iO, & Annoyance (along with various workshops along the way). From that, I've been able to perform sketch/improv around town for a little less than 10 years. I've participated in the Chicago Sketchfest, Chicago Improv Festival & TBS Just For Laughs. I've also had my fair share of runs with comedy troupes: Urban Indigenous, Old Smuggler, Mind Spinach, and the premiere Asian-American group, Stir Friday Night.
Coe Tell us about the show, and where the idea came from.
Reyes Probably a few months after I broke-up with my girlfriend of 5-6 years, my brain went through various stages of numbness. I didn't really understand where my head was and the only things I knew what to do were: go to the gym, drink, Direct shows, and drink more. Obviously a mental issue and I don't see a therapist, so like everyone else, I use the internet as my doctor. I think I looked up something like "break-up recovery." I found this website that noted stages you go through and that's when the seed was planted.
Regarding the show itself, I had actually been tinkering with stand-up and went to a couple of storytelling events (via the beautiful Erin Diamond), to which slowly created the structure. I've also been fortunate to Direct two one-person shows (Stacey Smith's "Confession of a Chubby Tomboy" & Lupe Sanchez's "Porque No Comes"), so finding inspiration from their great work, it's always been in the back of my mind.
The show uses storytelling to transition within each Stage of Recovery (after a long term relationship break-up). Really, the goal of this process is to try and figure yourself out - like who you are as an individual vs. who you were within a couple. So you reflect in your life to before you were involved within a relationship. When I get to each stage, I portray either myself or a variety of characters from different moments in my life of when I've felt the same emotion as the Stage. For instance - Stage 3 is Anger. I'll be playing 12 year old me & my Mom from a time during my pre-teen years when I was overly angry about some kid punching me to steal my Yankees Starter hat.
Oh, I'll be tap dancing and singing. So I advise audiences to drink. Drink a lot!
Coe So are you still a Yankees fan or has the class and sportsmanship of the Cubs converted you?
Reyes When I first moved to Chicago, I did transition into a Cubs fan (back then!). I was more of a Yankees fan during their pre-Derek Jeter years and when the captain was Don Mattingly. It was when they were still struggling to become a repeat playoff team. I think that's what made me gravitate toward the Cubs, as I love underdogs. Then they just weren't winning ....like forever...which sort of made me lose interest. Now, I don't really get into baseball unless someone creates an improv scene about it.
Coe How much of the show would you say is comedy, and how much of it serious or dramatic?
Reyes I would actually say that my show is truly melo-dramatic. The first half of the show is pretty heavy since the stages are: Shock, Denial, Anger, and Worthlessness. If people have seen me improvise lately, I definitely exorcise demons when I'm on stage. I love dark comedy and sometimes it can become a fine line between what people think is funny vs. serious. If I had to, I would say - 55% dramatic / serious 45% funny.
Coe Has working on the show proven cathartic for you?
Reyes Most definitely! Not even just about the break-up but about past issues that I've hidden within myself for awhile. I get into my parents' divorce which actually occurred in my early 20's. I also talk about things that have bothered me a lot during the relationship, but in trying to make things work-out, just kept it to myself while it was happening. I'm hoping that a lot of my own heartaches are similar experiences that audiences have gone through.
Coe Great. Final Questions: Who would you recommend this show to especially?
Reyes People who have gone through long term relationship break-ups. Also people who get lost in love. OH - and my family. I recommend this show to my family, cause they laugh at everything I do.
Coe Anything else we can catch you in right now or coming up?
Reyes Stir Friday Night's new sketch revue, "Turn Down Pho Wok" runs every Saturday, 10:30pm, at Theater Wit - 1229 W. Belmont Ave., September 13th thru October 11th, 2014. Directed by Anna Lucero.
"Cash for the Titans" - A Writing 6 Show at Second City's De Maat Theater runs every Friday, 7:30pm from August 29th thru September 26th. Directed by Angie McMahon
ALSO - please keep an eye on for projects I'm currently Directing, which include Circa Pintig's Quartet Play at Mooh Dulce ; The Blatant Plagiarists' "Silence of the Mimes" at Donny's Skybox ; & the Scribble Bibble program at Stage773. AND I must always plug my faves- Chicago Sketchfest & Chicago Improv Festival!!! SUBMIT!!!!
The 7 Stages of Jonald has a limited engagement of Wednesdays 9/3 and 9/10 at 8pm. Tickets are $10. For more info, check out the Public House Theatre Box Office.
Keep up with Jonald Jude Reyes at his website, the Jonald Reyes information center.
Check out more reviews at http://www.thesketchreview.com and find us on facebook at http://facebook.com/TheSketchReview
