Trustus showcasing actor it raised

The story is a bit stretched, but when is it not when you're talking theater with an actor.

"That's flattering, but as far as I'm aware that's not how it happened," Jonathan Whitton said.

The story: Trustus Theatre started its apprentice company because of Whitton.

Whitton's side of the story: "I was the youngest person ever to be in the apprentice program," he said. "That's one of those things you can only be in when you're in high school.

"I started when I was in middle school."

There's no stretching this: Whitton is one of the most successful performers to grow up in local theater.

In 2008, Whitton won the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) award for outstanding debut, and he won the 2009 MAC for best male vocalist. On Tuesday, Whitton will premiere his latest cabaret show at Trustus.

But more on that later in this story.

Currently, Whitton is starring in Trustus' production of "The Last Five Years," a musical with only two characters.

"The Last 5 Years," which was written by Jason Robert Brown, tells the story of lovers, Cathy and Jamie, who fall in love and get married. She tells her story from the end to the beginning, and he goes in a linear timeline.

The stories happen over a five-year period. For those confused, think of it as the musical version of "500 Days of Summer."

This is Whitton's second time performing the show, and it feels more honest and true.

"When I did it the first time, I was in a really negative space and I wasn't happy," he said while sipping a Magic Hat beer at Carolina Wings following the April 2 show. "I had just gotten out of a serious relationship. I did that thing actors aren't supposed to do: use theater as therapy.

"And so now I'm approaching it in a space where I feel I'm not unhappy. I feel like an open space for it."

Brown's music is visceral and conversational, an essential blend for those, like myself, who despise musicals. Even then, to listen to the singing-talking for more than an hour, the actors have to be people that you'd like to, say, share a late-night beer with.

Whitton, who is cordial and passionate - on and off the stage - is certainly such an actor. The laptop bag he uses in the show was slung across his body as we crossed Gervais Street on our way to the bar.

"Even when I'm singing it, it feels like I'm speaking it," he said of the musical's songs. "It's not like Rodgers and Hammerstein, which I don't despise. And that has its place."

Chad Henderson who is directing Whitton and his co-star, Mandy Applegate, said, "The Last 5 Years" isn't like most musicals.

"It's the most realistic musical I've heard in my life," he said. "It's a dialogue-esque musical."

Another thing this production has is a terrific live band led by Tom Beard, the theater's musical director. Beard will also be a part of Whitton's backing band when he debuts his new cabaret show, "New Religion."

"It's the premiere of it, but I consider it to be more of a workshop of what it will be," said Whitton, a 29-year-old Heathwood Hall graduate. "I'm trying out a lot of new material, and it's more of a rock cabaret."

Songs by Morrissey, Ben Folds and Alice Smith will be performed. The show's name is taken from a song title by Smith. Whitton is the third performer in Trustus' fundraising series, "NYC Cabaret Comes to Columbia."

He collaborated with the theater in the singer selection. He directed the show of Cait Doyle, who sang March 3, in New York. About the final performer on May 12, Whitton said, "People aren't ready for Molly Pope," someone he compared to Streisand.

Yes, Barbra Streisand.

Whitton is not a traditional cabaret singer, one who tells stories in between songs. His first award-winning New York show "Perfect Finite" was all about the music.

"It was my young and brokenhearted and I just moved to New York City show," he said.

He's working on a Jeff Buckley cabaret show to play after "New Religion's" run.

It's seems natural that Whitton, who also acted at Town Theatre, Workshop Theatre and USC growing up, would premiere a show at Trustus.

The first show he saw at the theater was "Isn't it Romantic" in 1988. He ushered at the theater the next year, and his first main stage appearance was in "Marvin's Room" in 1991.

"I consider my home base as Trustus," said Whitton, who took dance at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance. "But whenever I'm in town, I go see whatever they're doing at Workshop."

Workshop was hosting a late-night cabaret April 2. Whitton, who recently saw a preview of "American Idiot," the stage production based on Green Day's album, has always been interested in seeing a performance.

"He was like a sponge when he was here," said Kay Thigpen, Trustus' managing director.

"He cares from the bottom of his toes about theater, about performing. To that end, he has furthered his career."

Thus, his performance story continues.

"New Religion"

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St.

TICKETS: $30 in advance, $35 at the door

INFORMATION: (803) 254-9732 or http://www.trustus.org

"The Last Five Years"

WHEN: Through April 17

WHERE: Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St.

TICKETS: $25

INFORMATION: (803) 254-9732 or http://www.trustus.org