Jones Talmadge and his wife Ann-Marie showcase their strength and acrobatic skills while rehearsing.
Jones Talmadge
Jones Talmadge has returned to Seattle and will be gracing the stage at The Triple Door Theater with the cast of Bohemia, opening Thursday, Jan. 18. Jones grew up in Mill Creek and Everett and says he is feeling really blessed to be welcomed back to his home city.
After earning a degree in Theater and Dance from the University of Washington, Jones set out to make it big in New York. His very first audition was for the famed Cirque du Soleil. He did not land the part that day, but it definitely planted the seed. Jones said he was excited by the company because “it had the physical side, really trained circus artists, and lots of character actors.”
He spent two years in NYC, then decided to try his hand in Los Angeles, where he even founded his own theater company. He worked as a performer and as a director. And met the love of his life, Anne-Marie Talmadge. Jones has gone by many names throughout his career, and he is proud to have adopted his wife’s last name, Talmadge. Ann-Marie is a dancer, business manager, and an aerial pole champion.
While living in Los Angeles and working on his own projects, he finally got his dream job offer from Cirque du Soleil. Jones was invited to join X: The Land of Fantasy. Hired as a physical theater artist (aka Clown) for the production, he later became an acrobat for the flying act.
Some of those skills will be on display in Seattle starting this week. Presented by Opal Peachey and Mark Siano, Bohemia is a show filled with live music, dance, burlesque, comedy, and naughty fun. The cabaret stars use classical music and original songs to tell the story of love, art nouveau, absinthe and fairies. Jones will be playing the role of Sergei, the Green Fairy. In addition to the regular business of being a triple threat (singing, dancing, and acting), Jones will also be showing off his comedy and acrobatic skills.
The production is reimagined to make the show a new experience for audiences that come year after year.
“With the addition of a special talent like Jones, we added a new dance number to feature his unique skill set,” Siano said.
The pair met when they were in school together at the University of Washington. Once upon a time, Jones performed in The Habit comedy group that Siano founded. And when Jones confided that he wanted to return to the Seattle stage, Siano said, “Have I got a show for you!” And he even gave the actor a place to stay in Queen Anne.
Jones said he is truly grateful to come home and jump back into the Seattle art scene.
“Mark and Opal have this really good history of creating brilliant off the cuff musicals and comedies,” Jones said. “I’m so impressed with the number and quality of the productions!”
Bohemia runs Jan. 18-28 at The Triple Door, 216 Union St. Tickets range from $29-$59 and can be found at www.thetripledoor.net