The Wonder Years

James Brennan was born in Newark, N.J. on October 31, 1950, to James, Sr., a bus driver and Rita, a housewife. He had one brother, Gerry. His paternal grandfather hailed from County Mayo, Ireland.

James apparently loved to sing and dance since his early years, and attended local schools. He attended grammar school at Mt. Vernon Elementary in Newark. His mom encouraged him very much, and his dad was always a little worried that he was making a racket by tap dancing on the linoleum in the kitchen. He attended Seton Hall Preparatory School, where a drama coach also advised him to study Shakespeare. He still keeps ties with his school, even once helping out to judge a forensics contest. He later graduated from Rutgers where he studied Theatre Arts. Starting in high school, at age 15 he apprenticed at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, N.J. By fortuitious circumstance his first be role there was playing the part of Dodger in a production of Oliver! where he became the first apprentice to ever be paid for his duties for doing a great job, after stepping into the role after the "boy they hired from NYC just didn't work out." $5 bucks could buy a lot back then. (sure, ;-D)

While in college, and still working summers at Surflight, he met his wife to be, Kathel Carlson, an actress. They had performed in I DO! I DO! and WHERE'S CHARLEY together while at Surflight. They got married in his senior year in college, and have one son, Matthew, who has finished college, and is now married. As of March, 2007, they are now grandparents. Kathel has won an award given by New Jersey State for her portrayal as "Martha" in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. And they both have appeared in LOVE LETTERS at Surflight Theatre in October of 1999.

Kathel encouraged him to try out for a Broadway tour tour of No, No, Nanette after he graduated college in 1972, and they were both in the cast. After their son was born, James decided not to take long touring engagements out of town, while Matthew was still growing up, and he has centered his career in the NY/NJ area.

In addition to acting, singing, and dancing, James has also directed professionally in NY and in regional theatre. He has also choreographed, and directed many industrials. He also lent his services to a small independent movie called "Jingle Hell," which has recently been re-entitled "Christmas Present." ( Janson apprently looks out for the movie interests...but you can't buy a copy at present (2007) - go figure.) He's been known to design sets for amateur productions^*, and he and his wife have helped direct the musicals at the high school where their son attended. They have also worked together in a benefit reading of "YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU" in NYC. In June of 2006 James directed Kathel, who played opposite Brad Oscar, in Moonlight and Magnolias at Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Ma. (Isn't that in the same category as teaching your kid to drive?) In the 2006 season he appeared as Pseudolus at Sacramento's Music Circus, and also directed "A Wonderful Life" at Paper Mill Playhouse in the fall.

This spring he directed a concert version of My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and is due to direct "Regrets Only" in early July at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Ma. Harry Groener, Dee Hoty, and wife, Kathel are also in the cast. This June he played Officer Lockstock in Urinetown at the Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY. He will star in Damn Yankees as Applegate at Music Theatre of Wichita, July 24-29. He is "busy man" this summer season, and concludes by trodding on Music Circus's boards as John Adams in 1776, Aug 28-Sep 2, 2007.

People who know the Brennans universally say they are much too nice to be in show-business!

* He helped design sets for Chatham Players "Blithe Spirit" in 2001 and "A Midsummer's Nights Dream" in 1997. Sawdust remained in the blood since his Surflight days where he was set designer for a season.