Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Living… in a studio apartment in SoHo, New York—at least for now. Jon is not sure how much longer he’ll be able to pay the rent.
Profession… aspiring writer and producer for musicals. He’s putting his heart and soul into a new futuristic rock opera called “Superbia.” But until he makes it big, he is working at the Moondance Diner. As Jon laments, "You get to a certain age, and you stop being a writer who waits tables, and you become a waiter with a hobby."
Interests… hanging out with his friends Michael, his girlfriend Susan, and fellow waiters Freddy and Carolyn. While Jon hasn’t been seeing his friends as much lately, he cares for them a lot.
Relationship Status… getting complicated. He is head over heels in love with his girlfriend Susan, but he’s finding it difficult to focus on anything (and anyone) else other than his musical. His relationships with Susan and other friends have been taking the back seat to his career ambition, and he is struggling with the repercussions that come along with that.
Challenge… dealing with anxiety and fear. As Jon approaches his 30th birthday, he’s afraid he’ll never catch a break. He tells his friends that his youth will be over in eight days on his birthday, and he has nothing to show for himself. Not only does he feel the pressure of the clock ticking, but he is also starting to hear sounds everywhere he goes like a “Tick, Tick, Tick." His last hope is that Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim will be in attendance when he debuts his songs at New York Theatre Workshop. If Sondheim likes his work, he may still have a chance.
Personality… ambitious, creative, and sensitive. Jon pours his emotions into the songs he writes. One of the songs that best exemplifies him is “Louder Than Words”: “Why should we blaze a trail when the well-worn path seems safe and so inviting? ...Actions speak louder than words.” Jon is willing to risk it all to follow his dreams. No matter what happens with his musical, that’s something to greatly admire.
