Jon Watson
On the scene since: 1991
MVP for: Rude Mechanicals, Zachary Scott Theatre Center
Recent Roles: Giuliano, Big Love, Rudes, 2001; Ivan, Art, Zach, 2001; Bottom, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Project InterAct, 2000; Prof. Crome, Abundance, Zach/Athena Dramatics, 2000; Schultz, In the House of the Moles, Rudes, 2000; various, Shakespeare’s R&J, Zach, 1999.
Honors: Payne award & Critics Table nomination, Art; Payne & Critics Table nominations, Abundance, Shakespeare’s R & J.
Disarmingly boyish but able to satirize highbrow poseurs with wicked skill. Keenly intelligent and playful, Watson’s still youthful face and appealing tenor keep him well-suited for playing earnest young men — of course, we believe him when his Guiliano in Big Love rhapsodizes over his Barbie collection — but his keen sense of intellectual puffery lets him skewer pretentious eggheads, as he did handily in Art and Abundance. One of many Shakespeare at Winedale alums whose love of the Bard shines through whenever he speaks Will’s words.
This article appears in September 28 • 2001.