Posted by In the whole wide realm of storytelling, actors play an essential role in bringing narratives to life, making audiences laugh, cry, and reflect on the human experience. The dichotomy between comedy and drama, two distinct genres within the vast landscape of acting, requires actors to master different nuances, emotions, and techniques. In this exploration, we delve into the fascinating interplay between comedy and drama, drawing on Hollywood’s rich history in both cinema and television, with the unique perspective of actor and director, Jonathan Bray.
Jonathan Bray’s journey through the dynamic realms of comedy and drama mirrors the diverse tapestry of his career. His notable roles in Hollywood productions such as “King Richard” and “Bosch: Legacy” showcase his versatility, while his roots as a classically trained New York actor provide a solid foundation for his craft.
Bray’s time as a comic performer began in college with the legendary improv comedy troupe My Mother’s Fleabag. “Improv has informed every aspect of my acting career. With improv you learn to really listen and trust that by honestly responding to the situation, you’ll find what is funny and unusual about it,” said Bray. He continued “that approach holds true whether you’re doing comedy or not, because at its core, improv is about being fully present, and that is essential in any kind of acting; drama, comedy, stage or screen.”
After moving to New York and training with renowned acting teacher, William Esper, Bray found work on and off Broadway, mostly in dramas. “I did some comedies but found more work more playing roles like Marc Antony, and MacDuff. There’s a power in those roles that I seemed able to plug into.”
But Bray always kept one foot in comedy, doing standup and improv in New York’s burgeoning comedy scene in the East Village. “I used to work a lot at a place called Surf Reality, which was a haven for artists. It skewed toward comedy, but was a place where a lot of experimentation went on. You could try things out and slowly find your voice.”
The Comedy of Life: Hollywood’s Take on Humor
Comedy, often hailed as the universal language of laughter, has been a staple in Hollywood since its early days. From the slapstick antics of Charlie Chaplin to the sharp wit of modern comedians, the genre has evolved, yet its essence remains rooted in the art of timing, delivery, and relatability.
Actors in comedy navigate a delicate balance between exaggerated characters, quick-witted dialogue, and impeccable timing. The ability to make an audience laugh requires a keen understanding of the comedic beats within a script. Sometimes that involves shaping an original script with the help of an audience, as was the case with the world premiere of Sideways the Play. Rex Pickett, who wrote the novel that the movie Sideways is based on, adapted the novel into a play in 2012. It premiered at The Ruskin Theatre in Santa Monica. “The folks at The Ruskin worked with Rex for months, tweaking it. But an original play, especially a comedy, never finds it final form until it is put in front of an audience and you see what is working and what isn’t. The audience helps you identify and sharpen the comic beats,” said Bray. “But the beats are just a roadmap,” Bray continued. “Live theatre is like riding a wave. You’re going on a journey every night with the audience, and they are active participants in that journey.. At its core, theatre is really another form of improv. There has to be a spontaneity if it’s going to be any good. But you can’t achieve that without risk. The risk is giving over to the wave and and knowing it may take you to different places each night.” Bray stressed that ultimately the actor must ensure that the story comes through as intended. The actor is guided by the audience but also leads it. “Of course, you have to stay within the confines and structure of the story, the actor must always serve the story, but within that it has to be a live creation, not a staid re-creation.”
That commitment to spontaneity is clear in Bray’s first foray into writing and directing, a mockumentary entitled The Walkaround.
The Walkaround began during a stint Bray had working at auto shows. “I had been doing some standup and my girlfriend at the time, who was from Detroit, said her agency was looking for standups to work the booth for GM at an auto show.” Bray, who had never been to an auto show, found himself in a strange new world. “It was pretty incredible. They flew me to Los Angeles for the LA Auto Show and I felt like I was on another planet. I had never seen anything like it. And my first thought was that this world was ripe for satire.” With a friend and a borrowed camera, they began riffing during breaks and developing characters. “We had funny characters and bits, but needed a story.” That began several years of painstaking shoots during breaks at various shows in various cities and editing and story development with their editor when back in LA. “We shot very guerilla style, grabbing the camera whenever the opportunity presented itself. Back in LA we’d watch the footage and slowly shape the story based on what we had. We sort of worked backwards from the traditional approach of screenplay first and then you shoot. But it was an amazing education in filmmaking. Our editor was an AFI grad, and I felt like the four or five years I spent working on that mockumentary were my film school education as well.”
The Drama Unfolds: Hollywood’s Exploration of Human Emotions
In contrast to comedy, drama delves into the profound complexities of human emotions, offering a mirror to our own experiences. Hollywood has a storied tradition of producing gripping dramas that tug at the heartstrings and leave a lasting impact on audiences.
Classic films like “Gone with the Wind” and “Casablanca” set the stage for intense emotional storytelling, laying the groundwork for future generations of actors. The evolution of drama in television has seen groundbreaking shows such as “The Sopranos” and “Breaking Bad,” where actors immerse themselves in morally ambiguous characters, navigating intricate narratives with finesse.
For actors, the challenge in drama lies in the authenticity of portrayal. To elicit genuine emotions from the audience, they must connect with the character’s psyche, navigating the intricacies of the human condition. Bray’s extensive stage work helped him develop that skill. One of his first stage roles when he arrived in Los Angeles, was Lee in the Sam Shepard classic play about two brothers, True West. “That was a great role, because it has so much humor within the intense drama. The key to Lee, in my view, is his vulnerability, his insecurity. It drives his rage at his station in life. The trap of that role is to get lost in the anger, or avoid the pain and just play the comedy. The comedy comes from the pain. Without plumbing the depths of the character’s pain, the comedy falls flat and the drama is non-existent. It was an exhausting role, but one of the most fulfilling of my career.”
Bray’s recent series regular role as Steve Hickey, the dad in Play By Play, a Wonder Years type show now streaming on the Roku Channel, showcases his versatility, effortlessly moving between genres. “It’s a show with genuine pathos serving as a backdrop to the comedy. Like all great sitcoms, The Honeymooners comes to mind, the comedy has to come from a genuine investment in the situation. It’s funny because the characters care so much, and it’s moving because they care about each other so much. Kevin Jakubowski, the creator, does such a great job as a writer weaving those two elements together, using each to enrich the other.” Bray’s performance resonated with audiences for its authenticity and how deftly he suffused the comedic and dramatic elements of the story.
Beyond the Limelight: Jonathan Bray’s Volunteer Work
Beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Jonathan Bray finds purpose in giving back to the community. His commitment to volunteer work, particularly at his son’s elementary school, adds a layer of humanity to his narrative. “It really is true what they say, when you volunteer you get so much more than you give. Most recently, I’ve had the pleasure of volunteering in my son’s kindergarten classroom, and being surrounded by these innocent, curious children leaves me feeling inspired and recharged. Children are the absolute best thing in the world.”
This volunteer work not only enriches Bray’s life but also reinforces the profound connection between storytelling and the human experience. As actors contribute to the tradition of storytelling, their ability to empathize and connect with different facets of life becomes a crucial aspect of their craft.
A Tapestry of Comedy, Drama, and Humanity
In the grand tapestry of acting, the threads of comedy and drama intertwine, creating a rich narrative that reflects the diverse facets of the human experience. Hollywood, with its legacy of iconic performances and groundbreaking storytelling, continues to be a melting pot for actors to explore the depths of emotion and the heights of laughter.
Jonathan Bray’s journey, from his classical training in New York to his recent successes in Hollywood, serves as a testament to the actor’s ability to bridge the gap between comedy and drama. As he continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, Bray’s commitment to volunteer work adds a touch of authenticity and humanity to his narrative, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between actors and the stories they tell.