Theater Scene
A Conversation With
John Varela
John Varela has lived in our little corner of South
County since the late 1970s. He served as a member
of the Morgan Hill City Council in the early ‘90s and
as Mayor in 1995-96. In 2016, he was elected to the
Santa Clara Valley Water District. Recently I sat down
with John to learn about his background in theater.
His responses to my questions were so enjoyable that I
decided to share them with you in our original Q and
A format. I hope you enjoy my conversation with John
Varela as much as I did.
Written By Matthew Russell Hendrickson
Q: John, when did you start acting?
I started acting in high school. My most memorable theater
experience was performing at the world-famous Pasadena
Playhouse in a competitive review of Edward Albee’s “The Zoo
Story” in the role of Peter. Peter is a shy introverted, mind-
your-own-business kind of guy, confronted in Central Park by
Jerry, a young thug testing Peter’s resolve. In an unusual twist
of fate, roles reverse as Peter must defend his honor when Jerry
unexpectedly threatens Peter with a knife, then hands Peter the
knife, then rushes at Peter, impaling himself and screaming, “Oh
My God!” It was my first acting experience, in a one-act play, at
age 16. and returned to theater in the early ‘80s after attending your
parents’ now famous “Center Stage.” I filled in one of those
little postcards on the table asking the question “Have you ever
considered acting? If so, please fill in this card and leave it with
us.” Well, I received a call from Russ Hendrickson soon after,
inviting me to come and read a script for an upcoming show,
“The Foreigner.” I was cast as David. The show was fabulous
and launched my desire to get back on stage
. Aside from Pasadena Playhouse, my stage appearances have been
primarily in South County. There is so much going on here.
Center Stage, located in Gilroy, was my play-ground, eventually
relocating to “Old City Hall” where the fabulous “Angry
Housewives” was performed, and of course South Valley Civic
Theater, offering so much opportunity in venues throughout
Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Also with the Pintello Family entering
to fill