J.P. Patches is a mean banker?! Just for a night

For one night, the beloved clown J.P. Patches will turn his smile upside down.

Born Chris Wedes, he plays the mean-spirited banker Mr. Potter for Seattle Radio Theatre's rendition of "It's a Wonderful Life."

He joins other Northwest personalities, including Emmy award-winning broadcast personality Pat Cashman, who plays George Bailey.

The production is in its 10th year. Today's 8 p.m. performance at Town Hall will be broadcast live on the radio at KPTK AM 1090.

At 81, Wedes doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon. His alter ego, the joyful yet mischievous clown J.P. Patches, is a community mainstay at festivals and store openings, even though his popular television show ended more than two decades ago.

Wedes took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions about "It's a Wonderful Life" and his alter ego, J.P. Patches.

Q: What is your take on Mr. Potter?

A: Lionel Barrymore was the actor [in the 1946 movie version]. I kind of inadvertently imitated him. Yes, he had a voice like this [changes his voice to reflect a bad guy with a nasal pitch].

Q: Will you be wearing your J.P. Patches outfit?

A: Who's that? ... No.

Q: Why do you like doing radio?

A: I don't have to dress up, like J.P. Patches. ... You can perform all kinds of things on radio that are very difficult on television. ... Your own imagination takes over with the sound effects and voices.

Q: How long does it take you to transform into J.P. Patches?

A: A half an hour, and almost as much time, or more, to take it off. It's difficult around my eyes. Sometimes, I even take a shower, because I can't get it all off. ... If I die young, I will die from baby powder.

They keep warning you, not to put it on the baby's behind. It's very toxic. I've been putting it on my face for umpteen years.

Q: What did you like best about being J.P. Patches?

A: It's nice to know I've had an effect on a lot of people. I get e-mails, many e-mails, saying I influenced them in some way or another, for good, thankfully.

Often times, for kids that came from families that mistreated them in one form or another, J.P. Patches became a surrogate parent.

Q: Is your personality akin to that of J.P. Patches?

A: I've always been kind to everybody, a friendly person. ... I tell my wife, if it stops being fun and becomes a chore, I will stop doing it.

So far, the only thing that might hold me back are medical problems. ... Other than that, I got to keep smiling, do what I'm doing. I don't want to sit and vegetate.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com