Jonathan & Raquel Wright: Sharing the love of theatre

Jonathan Wright got into theatre during his high school years, and began volunteering at the RTG for Native Gardens, when his wife Raquel was in the cast. They married in 2022, and have had theatre as a common passion.

“We like being together for shows,” Jonathan explains. “I work on crew for shows when she’s in the cast, and she works on crew when I’m acting.”

For Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jonathan is on stage as Caractacus Potts, while Raquel is designing props.

“I really love being in shows,” says Raquel, “and have been in Tin Woman, Sweeney Todd, Native Gardens, and Seasonal Allergies on the RTG stage. I’ve also been on crews, as prop running chair for Cabaret and The Importance of Being Earnest. I was ASM for First Date, light technician for The Cemetery Club, and sound technician for Over the River and Through the Woods. This is the first time that I’m designing props, and this show has many challenges! I’m so happy to have the help of Jonathan’s mom Carrie, who is very crafty. And I have lots of other great helpers on our props crew, both for designing and running.”

Raquel notes that some of the tough things to create for this show are the trays of candies for the candy factory, making the toot sweets, and creating the bamboo sticks for one dance number.

“I’ve also had to gather lots of toys to put in the Toymaker’s store. We are still working on the Happy Birthday banner. When you see the show, you’ll notice all the many props we’ve had to make, find, gather and buy. It’s been a lot of hard work, but really fun to see things come together and watch the actors actually using the props.”

Growing up in Racine, Raquel remembers her parents taking her to Outreach plays and Packy plays at the RTG. That makes it all the more exciting for her to now be in shows and work on crews for this theatre that lit her excitement for drama. To add to her busy volunteer schedule, Raquel is also chair of the playreading committee this year.

Jonathan has previously been in Sweeney Todd and Cabaret on the RTG stage, but has never played a lead character before.

“I was so thrilled to be cast as Caractacus,” Jonathan says. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was one of the first movies I ever watched – a VCR at my grandparents’ house. Now to be playing in the show is really special. I find that the singing and dancing have come pretty easily to me, but I’m working the hardest at acting. Potts is a character who seems goofy and fun, full of charm and whimsy, but he is also a dedicated single father, trying hard to raise his kids with very little money. I want him to be a well-rounded character, but above all, a man who loves life and goes with the flow of whatever happens.”

Working with Doug as a director has really helped Jonathan form the character on stage.

“I love having Doug’s direction,” he says. “He knows just how to help the cast get to his vision of the overall story. The process is built on trust, and Doug helps all of us focus on what is needed. He might give the smallest changes that really help the show to shine. I also am thankful for Alex and Zoe, who play my children. They are doing such a great job that it helps me to perform as their father. And Riley who plays Truly is also wonderful. We have really bonded to make this such a great experience. And I have to thank the crew, working so hard on the technical elements to bring the show to life.”

Jonathan knows his character carries the emotional weight of the show, and he can’t do it alone. “I am thankful for the generous help of my wife, who has helped me with learning lines and is very generous in her partnership in theatre. It’s a great privilege to be able to bring this fun story to life on stage, and get to know the other actors, as we all push each other to be better. I’ll be excited and proud to have my whole family come to see the show.”

As Raquel and Jonathan Wright both find joy in the challenges of theatre, we will all appreciate their talents, both on stage and behind the scenes.