GFS graduate is having 'the most fun in the whole world'

Posted 4/21/17

John Williams is currently on stage in Shakespeare's “Love's Labour's Lost” and John Ford's “The Broken Heart” at Quintessence, 7137 Germantown Ave., through April 23.[/caption] By Rita …

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GFS graduate is having 'the most fun in the whole world'

Posted

John Williams is currently on stage in Shakespeare's “Love's Labour's Lost” and John Ford's “The Broken Heart” at Quintessence, 7137 Germantown Ave., through April 23.[/caption]

By Rita Charleston

He grew up in Mt. Airy and graduated from Germantown Friends School, but John Williams wasn't positive he wanted to become an actor. “I enjoyed doing little plays in school, so after graduation I went on to Gaucher College with an open mind. Soon, I began to realize I missed acting, and since they didn't offer anything in the way of acting, I decided to transfer to Rutgers, where they offered a fine program.”

And so it began for Williams, who is currently on stage in Shakespeare's “Love's Labour's Lost” and John Ford's “The Broken Heart” in rotating repertory at Quintessence Theatre Group, 7137 Germantown Ave., through April 23.

In the Shakespeare play, directed by Alexander Burns, who has been friends with Williams since the first grade, the action takes place with Ferdinand, King of Navarre, suggesting that he and his three best friends engage in scholarly pursuits in a climate where they banish all women from their lives.

“I play Berowne, a lord at the court and one of the King's best friends who agrees to join him in his scholarly retreat, although he is skeptical of the feasibility of the plan,” Williams explains. “Then four beautiful women show up one day, and I think you can guess the rest.”

In the second play, also directed by Burns, Williams is cast as Amyclas, the King of Sparta, as well as Tecnicus, the philosopher who can communicate with the gods. “I think these are contrasting plays, which is why we're doing them together,” says the 36-year-old actor. “'The Broken Heart' is a pretty heavy tragedy, while 'Love' is more of a raucous comedy. I think that's why the evening works so well. And as for me, I find it refreshing to go from one concept to the other.”

Now living in New York with his wife Angie, who works in real estate, most of Williams' work has been in New York. In fact, Quintessence is the only theater he works at in Philadelphia, and that's because of his association with Burns, a lifelong friend, and his fondness for Quintessence. “My family is still in Philly, so it's a great pleasure for me to come back and do these plays.”

At Quintessence, Williams has appeared in “The Misanthrope,” “Arms and the Man,” “Measure for Measure,” et al. He's also provided the company with design and illustration work for many posters, brochures and sets. He's also appeared in New York productions and regional and national commercials.

When he's not on stage, Williams sometimes bartends at a place in Brooklyn. “But fortunately, I make a relatively good living just acting – which is the best thing I've ever done. When I get into a room and start working with all the other people involved in a play, from the actors to the lighting and design people and all the others, it's exciting. And when you can finally see it all come together, it's the most fun in the whole world.”

For times and ticket information, call 215-987-4450.

arts