Presenting Vallejo native Jamiel St. Rose. Photo courtesy of Lisa Keating.
Vallejo native Jamiel St. Rose is no stranger to acting.
He has performed with the Cal Repertory Theater, the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and the Art University Theater.
He starred in several plays such as “Dinner with Friends,” “Our Lady of 121st Street” and “The Misanthropic.” St. Rose also teaches improv to prison inmates and schools through its partnership with the Red Ladder Theater Company.
So yes, he can act. In fact, you could say he had a clue when it came to it.
San Francisco Playhouse will produce the humorous murder mystery film and game “Clue.” St. Rose joins Stacy Ross, Michael Gene Sullivan, Courtney Walsh and Michael Ray Wisely. The theater’s co-founder Susi Damilano is the show’s production director.
“Clue” will debut on March 15, the third anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown.
Damirano called their rendition of “Clue” a “celebration of connection” and “fun and silly.” Ticket sales exceeded expectations.
“I think that’s what we need right now — a little bit of murder for fun,” Damirano said.
Saint Rose plays a number of characters, including dodgy cop Bill Henderson.
“He’s great. He’s fantastic,” Damirano said. “Not only is he a good actor, but he studies the lead actor. My lead actor is on an extended show, so it’s not going to be rehearsing for four hours a night. But Jameel has stepped in and learned the role, proving that the understudy is The most important thing in the theater right now, because I can’t rehearse without Jameel.”
St. Rose, also a licensed EMT, felt the challenge of being Wadsworth’s backup.
“I love the idea of playing multiple different characters at once,” St. Rose said. “I also like the idea of a lot of different people adding their different styles to the acting game. So, when I see these season vets, they accept who I am and how I present myself, especially when I’m trying It’s like being around these skilled actors, creators and artists when I’m doing something different. Just being around elevates my game.”
Saint Rose is delighted that viewers will see “clues,” saying viewers will experience “creepy laughter” while enjoying the “roller coaster” of the story.
“You think you know what’s going to happen, but when you think you know what’s going to happen and it doesn’t, then you realize it was a good show,” St. Rose said.
Saint Rose advises viewers to pay close attention — especially the small, intricate details of the show. The twists and turns don’t just start when the curtains open, with audiences having to solve a challenging puzzle as they enter the theater.
The theater “clue” is sure to captivate the audience. Opening night is March 15th and the closing date is April 22nd.