Standing out in a crowd sometimes was painful for Jonathan Owens. He always had been tall and large for his age. And he sometimes endured teasing for it as a youngster.
Today, the now-25-year-old former Columbus resident and 2012 Columbus North High School graduate is something of a standout for his stage performances as the towering title character in “Shrek: The Musical” at Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
Owens, after all, is 6-foot-9, standing head and shoulders above most of his cast mates. After the opening show, it’s fair to say his head was slightly in the clouds. And why not? Some in the sold-out crowd were openly dancing in the aisles to the closing tune of “I’m a Believer.”
The show runs on the weekends through March 10.
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The story of accepting oneself is a significant one for the actor who has shed 200 pounds in the past 18 months. Plus, the story has been a favorite of his since it first made it to the big screen.
“The message is that different is good,” said Owens, a Valparaiso resident since October. “And you shouldn’t be ashamed of the things that make you different.”
That message comes through loud and clear with such songs as “Let Your Freak Flag Fly,” which he labels as the most basic theme in the musical. The actor so identified with so much of the story that he already knew all of the songs to the stage work before rehearsals ever began.
“I found that a lot of the Shrek character in me already,” Owens said. “So, I think I’m more able to bring that through with my performance.”
He acknowledged that it’s a sometimes-emotional portrayal, especially when he sings the solo “Build Me a Wall” at Shrek’s lowest ebb. He believes love-interest Fiona has abandoned him and sidekick Donkey has abandoned him.
“And all Shrek can think about is building a wall around his swamp to keep everyone out,” Owens said.
That’s when he considers his own struggles in his younger years — and channels those memories into his presentation.
“I use that — I really do,” he said. “And I think it makes for a stronger performance.”
The actor landed his first role at age 4 with the now-Mill Race Theatre Company while growing up in the theater world with thespian parents Mark Owens of Columbus and Sandy Owens of Valparaiso. His dad and others from Columbus plan to see the show this weekend.
“I’ve very, very proud of him because he is a very talented young man,” said his father, who once directed him in shows. “He did obviously have the advantage of his height (for this role). But he has overcome a lot.”
His father is perhaps most proud of his son’s character in a field in which egos sometimes can be as oversized as … well, an ogre.
“He’s not at all egotistical,” dad said. “In fact, he’s more of the opposite.”
Sometime in the future, Jonathan Owens would love to play Lennie, a large, imposing, soft-hearted character.
“I’ve always loved that story,” he said. “It’s just so emotional.”
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What: "Shrek: The Musical," starring former Columbus resident Jonathan Owens in the title role.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays through March 10.
Where: Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
Tickets: $18 to $21, available at memorialoperahouse.com
Information: memorialoperahouse.com
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