Jefferson McDonald’s Great Balls of Fire

Dubbed the “Victor Borge of Rock and Roll” and a man “born inside the piano,” Jefferson McDonald’s Great Balls of Fire is a tour de force of music and comedy. Jefferson’s uniquely brash, rocket-fueled performance style is influenced by the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. Critics have raved about the show, declaring “run, don’t walk” (Jonathan Charles Fox, The River Reporter) to see McDonald.

You can listen to McDonald’s music on Spotify, Apple Music and everywhere else music is found. He composed the theme for Steph Tolev’s Netflix special FILTH QUEEN, which airs June 24th, 2025. In the last year, Jefferson McDonald has been seen at The Comedy Store, Netflix is a Joke Festival, Houston Improv, DC Improv, Pittsburgh Improv, Cortland Rep, Shadowland Stages, Suncoast Broadway, Portland’s Helium Comedy Club, The SoHo Theatre in London, 88 Keys Piano Bar, The Comedy Cafe in Amsterdam, Studio Tenn, Playhouse Stage Company, and many other theaters across the United States and Canada. 

Classically trained in both music and acting, Jefferson studied in Moscow (MXAT) and London and holds degrees in acting from Ithaca College (BA in Drama) and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training (MFA in Acting).

Theatrical credits include: Jerry Lee Lewis in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (14 productions), Willie Nelson in Nashville Outlaws (The Mayfield), Ted in 2 PIANOS 4 HANDS (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Peterborough Players, Laguna Playhouse, North Coast Rep), Spike in VANYA AND SONYA AND MASHA AND SPIKE (Asolo Rep, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Romeo in ROMEO & JULIET (Asolo Rep), and George Haverstick in PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater). McDonald has garnered rave reviews for his performances as Jerry Lee Lewis, with critics describing it as “an unparalleled performance that defies description” (BroadwayWorld) and “one of the most shockingly brilliant performances I’ve seen anywhere by anyone” (The Frenetic Peripatetic).

Although Jefferson was raised on a farm in the Finger-lakes region of NY, he comes from a show business family: his uncle, Daniel McDonald, was a Broadway and television star and he also bears a close resemblance to his Uncle Chris McDonald, famous for his portrayal of Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore and for his many iconic roles in over one hundred films. Jefferson inherited a passion for music from his father, Peter, an incredible bluegrass and folk musician.

Jefferson is joined by long time friend and collaborator, Armando Gutierrez, on bass and vocals. Armando has toured with Jefferson across the country and has been a major contributor on both of Jefferson’s studio albums, ‘Memphis’ and ‘Man Of The Road’. As an actor, Armando recently starred in the world premiere of RUN, BAMBI, RUN, written by Violent Femmes front man Gordan Gano and also appeared in the smash hit Grateful Dead musical Off-Broadway, RED ROSES, GREEN GOLD. For more info, visit Armando’s instagram: @tecatemando. 

You can check out McDonald’s website (jeffersonmcdonaldactor.com) for show dates in a city near you or his instagram for new music and videos: @jeffersonmcdonald4real