J.C. Cutler is the Steve Buscemi of Twin Cities theater.
He works a lot but is not well known. And Cutler is fine with that. His love of the craft seems to supersede a desire for fame or top billing.
Cutler has landed a plum role this holiday season, as Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" at the Guthrie. He has played in dozens of Guthrie productions over the past three decades, including five productions of "Carol." This is his first time as Scrooge.
"The challenge of Scrooge is to create a character that really needs redemption," Cutler said. "He's definitely a full-blown misanthrope. I'm applying all that I know to play this guy."
"The thing that's so special about J.C. is his humbleness: I've rarely worked with someone whose ego is sublimated so entirely to the process of making the work," said Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Rep. He cast Cutler in "Tiny Kushner," five short plays by Tony Kushner that played at the Guthrie, in San Francisco and London. "He simply wants to service the play, and all of his considerable energy and talent and intelligence is focused on that one task. It makes working with him special. Plus, he's a die-hard Twins fan, so you have to feel great empathy towards him."
A poet's son
The actor grew up mostly in Wichita, Kansas. He moved around in his youth, as his father, a poet and professor, took up Fulbright fellowships in Spain, Paraguay and Switzerland. He also spent summers in Italy, where his mother was born.
"When I lived in foreign countries, I was aware I stood out as an Americano, and I always wanted to blend in, feel like I'm part of a family," he said. "I tried really hard to sound and look like I'm from the place I'm in. Now when I approach characters, that immersion that came at a young age has stood me in good stead."