Comedic storyteller: ‘I can’t make these things up’ By ANGELA TAYLOR-WILSON, The Galveston County Daily News, published Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 Editor’s note: Comedic storyteller Jaston Williams will debut “Maid Marian in a Stolen Car” at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. He talked with Community News Editor Angela Taylor about the show. Q: What made you come up with the name “Maid Marian in a Stolen Car?” A: People have been asking me to write about my life in theater up to this point in my career. I actually came up with this name regarding an incident that happened in the 1970s. I was in a production of “Robin Hood,” and the lady who played Maid Marian was even crazier than I was. She and I had to do press together, but when we would go out to do it, we would dress up as clowns. She would always show up in this beat up Volkswagen Bug. And so one day she jumps the curb as we’re driving down the street — dressed as clowns — because she saw a cop. So, of course, it freaked me out too, and I was like, what’s going on? She then proceeds to say: Cops make me nervous because, by the way, this car is stolen! And I was like, what? Who stole it? I can’t remember, she said, because it was so long ago. So it’s about those experiences and, of course, “Tuna” and all the other stuff I’ve done over the years. I promise you, I can’t make these things up. Q: Was it hard to come up with new material that you haven’t shared already? A: Honestly, no. I have so much material. The hard part is that I had to throw a lot of it away because you only have two hours to do a show. I’ve been doing this for a long time. There’s been a lot of funny and amazing things that have happened along the way. Remember, I started in the 1970s, which was such a vibrant time. Q: How many characters will be portrayed in this new production? A: Well, I haven’t counted them all, but I’ll start off playing my mother, different relatives, people I know, and of course Maid Marian, who was just to funny to not work with the exact image that was portrayed all those years ago in “Robin Hood.” Many different personalities also will be portrayed. Q: How long have you been in show business? A: I’ve been in show business for 43 years. I majored in theater at the age of 17 in college and had my first professional job at the age of 20. Q: What do you think led to your success in show business? A: Well I don’t know the exact formula to success, but I’ve had some really good breaks with the help of some really good people. I think our (he and Joe Sears) “Greater Tuna” series was such a good product that it afforded us to have a lot of the success that I’ve had in my career. A lot of times people think our lives are romantic because we’re always traveling and staying in hotels. But you have to give up a lot to live this lifestyle. My biggest fear was when my oldest son started college and wanted to major in theater — that scared me because I didn’t want him to choose this life. I’ve spent many Christmases in hotels, and sometimes it’s not what it’s cracked up to be because you can’t spend it with family most of the time. Q: What new projects are on the horizon? A: I’m working on taking “Maid Marian” across the country, working on another new monologue show that’s not titled as of yet, and of course I’m writing every day for future shows. I’m also a guest professor at Texas Tech University, where I went to school. I work there nine weeks out of the year and I absolutely love it! Q: Why do you like performing at The Grand? And what are your fondest memories? A: I just love The Grand! It really is just that simple. I’ll never forget one time I had a producer doing press and I named The Grand as my favorite place to perform and the Paramount in Austin second. By the time the release came out, he had switched it to say the opposite and needless to say, I was upset. It’s just something about The Grand that fits me like a glove. For those of us in this in business, theaters become our home. When I walk in The Grand, I know every nook and cranny, the stage team, crew, and I always have the same dressing room. It’s home there. I remember one time while performing there I broke my toe and I performed the entire production with only one shoe on! The audience didn’t mind, either. They’re more like family than any other theater I’ve ever performed in. So, make sure y’all come on out and enjoy the show. I consider Galveston my “home” theater, and I need for y’all to come to see if y’all like the show before I take it all over the country. It’s going to be a thrill to come back the day after Thanksgiving. After all that turkey and family, y’all are going to need some laughter! Community news editor Angela Taylor-Wilson can be reached at angela.taylor@galvnews or 409-683-5239.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 13:45:15 +0000
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