Carmel Valley performer ready to tackle next role in ‘Mame’

Carmel Valley resident Jonas McMullen, 11, will play the role of “Patrick” in the upcoming Lyric Opera San Diego musical production of “Mame” at Birch North Park Theatre. The show, which will run Sept. 23-25 and Sept. 30-Oct. 2, will include top local talent such as Leigh Scarritt and Eileen Bowman, as well as Andrea Huber who has traveled in from outside of San Diego.

Jonas was born and raised in Carmel Valley where he just entered 6th grade and attends school in Solana Beach.

Jonas has always loved singing and performing for his family and friends since he could talk. Like many in the community, Jonas was passionate about soccer and frustrated that he was not able to both audition for shows and play competitive soccer, given the demands of both worlds.

This changed one day when he got what his family calls his “lucky break.” Jonas and his younger brother were “goofing off” at the top of the stairs at home, when Jonas was on the wrong end of a push and tumbled down the steps and broke his collarbone. He was 9 years old. When the doctor informed him that he would be unable to participate in soccer, Jonas asked, “Would it be OK for me to audition for a play?” That’s when it all started. He is passionate about theatre and works hard at practicing singing and preparing for auditions for future roles.

“Jonas knows that he can continue to participate in theatre with its demanding schedule, only with the same vigorous efforts being placed into his schoolwork,” said his mother, Lauren, in an email. “His teachers have all been tremendously supportive of his extracurricular activities.”

Jonas is constantly involved with his art. Last year, he participated in several productions at J*Company Youth Theatre, in both “Turandot” and “Der Rosenkavalier” at the San Diego Opera, and with a national tour production of “Wizard of Oz” at San Diego Civic Center. After finishing with “Mame,” Jonas looks forward to returning to the Old Globe in the role of “Danny Who” in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

A friend mentioned the role of “Patrick” and thought Jonas would be perfect for the role. He auditioned and received that wonderful follow up call inviting him back to the Lyric for a callback reading. Soon after, he was offered the role. This role means so much to him as he loves the script, the music and, most of all, loves the fact that he gets to play an 11-year-old boy.

For tickets and more information, call 619-239-8836 or visit

www.lyricoperasandiego.org

;

birchnorthparktheatre.net

1. Birth North Park Theatre is at 2891 University Ave., San Diego, 92104.