Charismatic actor H. Adam Harris has the kind of life story that could be an inspirational film.
On stage, the affable, bear-sized performer with the James Earl Jones-like voice conveys a sense of soulfulness and real life. But in his day job as a teaching artist with Penumbra Theatre, the Guthrie, the Children's Theatre and Ten Thousand Things, Harris is constantly juggling work, leaving little time for any social life.
Flashbacks would show his early childhood in a rough neighborhood in Detroit, where he disarmed challengers with his gift of gab — the same skill that has carried him thus far.
The heroes would include his father, Harold, a retired building inspector for the city of Detroit. Harris' mother died when he was 6 after suffering from multiple sclerosis. His dad nurtured his son's gifts and saw to it that the boy maintained his openness and sensitivity as well as a love of learning.
"He's always had a large soul, and a moral authority that could change people," said Harris' high school drama teacher, Marilyn McCormick. "Anyone who encounters him feels his energy, his zest for life."
After memorable performances in "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at Children's Theatre, "The Ballad of Emmett Till" at Penumbra and "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Guthrie, Harris will play Baloo the bear and Father Wolf in director Greg Banks' adaptation of "The Jungle Book," opening Friday at CTC. The roles play to his strengths.
"Adam has a combination of dignity, huge emotional access and joy that makes him really special as a human being, not just as an actor," said Children's Theatre artistic director Peter Brosius, who twice directed Harris in "Grinch."
"He is a huge talent onstage, of course, with a great sense of humor, a lot of tenderness, and ways into his character. But he's also a leader, educator and moral force in the community who challenges us to be our best selves."
