theTEN with Chris Kale Jones

theTEN with Chris Kale Jones

Jump inside the brains of Chicago theater artists as we ask them 10 questions that were in no way inspired by “Inside the Actor’s Studio.” To read past articles click here.



What’s the one role/show you’ve always wanted to work on that you haven’t yet?

I’d love to play George in “Sunday In The Park With George.”

What current production, besides one of your own, are you most excited about?

Honestly, we are living in such an exciting era for the arts, there are numerous productions I’m excited about! However, the kid in me is super curious about “Beetlejuice” on Broadway.

If you couldn’t be in theater, what career would you have chosen?

My wife is a certified holistic health coach, and she and I are active in the health and fitness arena, running our own business called the Artists Health Collective. I’m incredibly passionate about it because by taking a holistic approach to health, we are seeing transformations in artists lives.

What quote or saying do people spout but is really complete BS?

“I’m open-minded.” I think people are constantly looking to back up their already established beliefs, so when we encounter opposing views, I think far too often now we dismiss people instead of ideas. A good amount of people who say they are open-minded are usually blind to the fact that they aren’t. (We see this politically all the time: “Oh, you believe that?! Now I’m entitled to think you’re an idiot and dismiss you as a person.”) If I’m 98% different from someone, and I focus on the 2% that unites us, I can be friends with that person, and who knows what we could create?!

What would you name your boat if you had one?

“Don’t tell my wife I bought this.”

What will finally break the internet?

How cute my daughter is. Sorry for the mushiness. She’s pretty great.

What well-known fictional character would be the most boring to meet in real life?

Probably whichever neanderthal in our evolutionary history who invented language. I bet he wouldn’t shut up about it.

What is a play or musical that you cannot stand (CATS is not an acceptable answer)?

Here’s the grumpy old man in me coming out, but the older I get, anything on stage over 2 and a half hours better be rrrrreally good.

What is a play or musical that you love (CATS is not an acceptable answer)?

We’ve just been discussing this in the dressing room as a total guilty pleasure: “Jekyll and Hyde.” (I might know all the words.) Or “Hamlet.” That makes me look smarter. Let’s say “Hamlet.”

What are you reading, watching or listening to right now?

I LOVE podcasts. Lately my faves have been ‘Armchair Expert’ with Dax Shepherd and ‘How did this get made?’ which is a delightful dissection of movies that are perhaps not the best. Favorite recent book: Stress Less, Accomplish More by Emily Fletcher (a former Broadway actress turned meditation teacher). On TV, I’m a sci-fi nut so I totally dig the Seth MacFarlane show, “Orville.” Finally, like everyone else, I can’t wait for “Avengers Endgame!”


CHRISTOPHER KALE JONES can currently be seen through June 30th as Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors” at Mercury Theater Chicago. Past roles include Frankie Valli in the 1st National Tour of “Jersey Boys,” Chris in “Miss Saigon” (Foothills Theatre), Sebastian in “Twelfth Night” (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre) and Mercury in “Olympus on my Mind” (Bristol Riverside Theatre). Chicago-area credits include “Miracle on 34th St.” (Theatre at the Center), “The Ballad of Little Jo” (Steppenwolf), “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), “The King and I” and “Ragtime” (Marriott Theatre). Chris recorded four albums and toured internationally with his former band “Under the Streetlamp.” He is a graduate of Northwestern, a member of Actors’ Equity Association, and represented by Gray Talent Group.

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