Cesar first started developing this play while in residence at the renowned Old Vic in London, where the term “mate” is used between males the same way “bro” is used here in the U.S. Mate opens when the relationship between two best friends, Leo and Marty, begins to unravel as Marty prepares to move to France. They meet two dynamic women at a bar, Kathleen and Lisa, who challenge what their relationship is really about. Is it just friendship, or more than that? Mate wrestles head-on with the curious nature of male friendships and bonds, transcending the labels of “gay,” “bi” or “straight,” and investigating the experiences that nonetheless define us. I am very honored to be directing and acting in this piece and can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

Next I’ll be playing Mr. Weston in Jane Austen’s Emma here at the University of Washington. I love this role—I’m a cheerful, compassionate man who has recently remarried and helps to bring several families together at the Highbury estate in England. Once again it is set in the Victorian era so I’ve been practicing period styles and my British RP accent

Book-It Repertory Theatre’s 3rd Annual Novel Workshop Series

Wuthering Heights directed by Co-Artistic Director Jane Jones

Agatha Christie’s Mysterious Affair at Styles directed by Education Associate Josh Aaseng

January 12-15 | Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre at the University of Washington, Seattle

Emma

By Jane Austen

Adapted by Michael Bloom

Directed by Victor Pappas

February 8-26 | Floyd and Dolores Jones Playhouse at the University of Washington, Seattle

Next week I am finally moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. I will be earning my Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting. I’ll post soon about my new experiences there, including performances and music endeavors!

Here is the official video trailer…

Comedy of Errors Trailer

And here are the latest reviews, including a jumping-out-of-his-seat guy from the SF Chronicle!

San Jose Mercury News – “Cheeky musical accompaniment by Jonathan Shue adds to the wackiness.”

Santa Cruz Sentinel – “And Jonathan Shue literally wears many hats as the one-man-band bar none.”

San Francisco Chronicle – “Jonathan Shue is outstanding is the one-man-band who accents the action with music and sound effects.”

The show runs thru August 28 at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, then we perform at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga from September 9-18. Get your tickets at www.shakespearesantacruz.org!

Pictured: Me on banjo/one-man-band; Mike Ryan playing Antipholus of Syracuse (he also plays Antipholus of Ephesus!).

http://www.sfbaytimes.com/index.php?sec=article&article_id=15129

http://www.starkinsider.com/2011/05/san-francisco-silk-stockings-successful-return-forgotten-musical-review.html

I play a handful of characters in this 1950′s romp from Cole Porter. Here’s a show description:

The Cold War turns hot in Cole Porter’s final Broadway musical, a sly and sophisticated version of the Lubitsch-Wilder classic, “Ninotchka”! Porter’s legendary wit is in top form as a stern but lovely Russian commissar is seduced by the joys of Paris and the charms of an American film agent. The dazzling collection of songs includes the classics “All of You” and “Paris Loves Lovers,” and the Porter comic masterpieces “Stereophonic Sound,” “Satin and Silk,” and “Siberia.” Starring Ian Simpson, Lee Ann Payne, Dyan McBride, Jackson Davis, Daniel Epstein, Michael Rhone, Jeremy Vik, Nancy Dobbs Owen, Annie Donahey, Hannah Knapp, Bill Olson, Corinne Proctor, Ray Renati, Jonathan Shue

It plays through May 22 at the Eureka Theatre in downtown SF. Tickets and info at www.42ndstmoon.org

I hope to start making more videos and become better at video editing. In the meantime, see a video of my new song, “You Tell Me,” which was used in a recent production of Neil Simon’s Rose & Walsh in Berlin, Germany!