Jonathan Chisolm
Actor / Singer / Mover
Reviews
Hairspray SF Playhouse Reviews -
“Tracy’s mother Edna is also a plus size, plus more. It’s a signature role essayed in the original film by Divine and on Broadway by such performers as Harvey Fierstein, Bruce Vilanch, and Michael McKean. The character is delivered with perfection in this production by Jonathan Chisolm”
“Her mom is the plus-plus-sized Edna, played with spectacular moxie and pluck by Jonathan Chisolm, who stands all day at her ironing board as the owner of “Edna’s Occidental Laundry” and who delivers time and again with spark and spunk some of the best comic lines of Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan’s book (e.g., “You just can’t stop my knife and fork when I see a Christmas ham”).
The differently sized couple from the very blue-collar part of town are a Romeo and Juliet who can barely keep their hands off each other. They bring down the house when Wilbur croons with his Perry Como smoothness “You’re Timeless to Me” and the two dance in a number that is a hilarious and heart-warming mixture of Vaudeville and 1950’s TV-variety shows (with a touch of Ginger and Fred thrown in for good measure).”
“Most original, perhaps, is Jonathan Chisolm’s extraordinary turn as Edna Turnblad (Tracy’s mother, originally played by Divine). In Chisolm’s interpretation, Edna emerges as a poignant, eerie blank. Her facial expressions almost never change. Instead of responding to life’s indignities and disappointment with Divine’s raunchy, anarchic glee, Chisolm’s Edna keeps everything inside — and when the world finally comes to her doorstep, the sense of delivery is exhilarating.”
“Chisolm plays Edna with just the right amount of self-hatred and chutzpah”
“As Edna, Jonathan Chisolm is the twinned matriarchal heart of the show, taking up lots of space and making the most of the zippy lines”
Disney's The Little Mermaid 2024 Area Stage Company -
“Jonathan Chisolm returns from last year to once again lend villainess Ursula a sly demeanor, bringing to mind a sneaky snake. Rather than show off or beg for laughs, Chisolm portrays Ursula sincerely, allowing the comedy and menace to spring naturally from the sea character.
The performer, sporting a shock of tall white hair, an appropriately dark outfit, and long, dark fingers, commands the stage while remaining natural in the role. Certainly, Chisolm’s evil laugh is an apt choice for the character. And a gleeful wickedness accompanies their rendition of “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
“Reprising their role as Ursula is Jonathan Chisolm whose character is unmistakably inspired by John Waters’ Divine and imbued with a dastardly laugh. When Chisolm is at the center of the show, everything is larger than life. It’s a role they obviously relish."
Disney's The Little Mermaid 2023 Area Stage Company -
“A cleverly conceived villain played by the right actor can walk away with many a musical (or in this case, swim away with it), and Chisolm (who uses the pronouns they/them) does exactly that with Ursula. Sporting a shock of white hair and a gorgeous purple gown, Chisolm demonstrates that they’ll take no prisoners (Ariel excepted) as they belt “I Want the Good Times Back” with their chortling henchmen Flotsam and Jetsam. Chisolm is sensational.”
“As the Sea Witch, Jonathan Chisolm leans far more into the Pat Carroll interpretation of the role, inspired by drag queens like Divine and in lowering the key of the song is given a more darker, vicious tone to their delivery. Brechtian and brooding, Ursula decries the “Poor Unfortunate Souls” that have come to her in their hour of need, as Ariel joins them by exchanging her voice for a pair of legs and lungs.”
La Cage Aux Folles 2022 Seacoast Rep -
"Chisolm captures attention with their amazing vocals from their first number, "A Little More Mascara," a tender reflection on their stage career, to the show stopping "I Am What I Am," a tune that went from a snappy number in a Broadway musical to become an anthem for the gay community. Chisolm is a combination of energetic substance and flaming pizzazz. They are a very convincing drag queen who especially shines when they portray Jean-Michel's doting mother. Watching Chisolm's comically painful attempts to walk like a man, more like Uncle Al, is all that needs to be said about gay conversion therapies. Their energy and "esprit de corps" is uplifting in the number, "The Best of Times."
Clue The Musical 2022 Circa '21 -
"Jonathan Chisolm as the disgruntled domestic, Mrs. White, delivers a smashing "Life is a Bowl of Pits" while pummeling beef for dinner with a lead pipe."
