{"id":26190,"date":"2020-01-18T09:38:28","date_gmt":"2020-01-18T14:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=26190"},"modified":"2020-01-18T09:40:09","modified_gmt":"2020-01-18T14:40:09","slug":"on-stage-jersey-boys-make-it-in-wilmington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=26190","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Jersey Boys make it in Wilmington"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <\/span>Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>They may be \u201cJersey Boys\u201d but the closest the four main cast members of the touring musical \u201cJersey Boys\u201d will get to New Jersey for the next five months is this weekend when the show touches down in Wilmington, Delaware.<\/span><\/p>\n

On January 18 and 19, the Playhouse (10th\u00a0and Market streets, Wilmington, Delaware, https:\/\/www.thegrandwilmington.org\/productions\/6168-jersey-boys\/<\/a>) will host a three-show run of the hit jukebox musical \u201cJersey Boys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The musical \u201cJersey Boys\u201d exploded on Broadway in 2005 much the same way its subject matter made an immediate impact in the pop music world in the early 1960s. The show has toured the world numerous times and now is ready to spend a weekend in Delaware.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJersey Boys,\u201d which will make one visit to New Jersey when it hits Atlantic City for a two-week run in June, is a Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning hit musical based on the story of Frankie\u00a0Valli and\u00a0The Four Seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Four Seasons, who burst on the scene with the mega-hit \u201cSherry\u201d in 1961, were a quartet featuring Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi.\u00a0The four guys from working-class families in North Jersey wrote their own songs, invented their own sound and sold 200 million records worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cast of the current National Tour features Eric Chambliss as Bob Gaudio, Corey Greenan as Tommy DeVito, Michael Milton as Nick Massi and Jon Hacker as Frankie Valli.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJersey Boys\u201d is a lively musical that features a number of hit songs by other artists from the era such as \u201cSilhouettes,\u201d a hit by the Rays in 1957 (and also a Top Five hit by Herman\u2019s Hermits in 1965); \u201cMy Boyfriend\u2019s Back,\u201d which was a hit by The Angels in 1963; and \u201cI\u2019m in the Mood for Love,\u201d a Top 10 by Louis Armstrong in 1935.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mostly, it features gold record singles by the Four Seasons, including \u201cSherry\u201d, \u201cBig Girls Don’t Cry\u201d, \u201cWalk Like a Man\u201d. \u201cDecember 1963 (Oh, What A Night)\u201d, \u201cDawn (Go Away)\u201d, \u201cBig Man In Town\u201d, \u201cStay\u201d, \u201cLet\u2019s Hang On!\u201d, \u201cMy Eyes Adored You\u201d, \u201cCan\u2019t Take My Eyes Off of You\u201d, \u201cRag Doll\u201d and \u201cWho Loves You.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis show has been touring for 13 years straight,\u201d said Chambliss, during a phone interview Thursday from a tour stop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. \u201cIt just celebrated its 5000th performance recently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe just ran into Bob Gaudio in Washington, D.C. He stopped by to say hi and watch the show. He does a good job of keeping tabs on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething I really like about Bob Gaudio is the role he played in the group. He was the last piece of the puzzle. He not only brought creativity but was also a smart businessman. He\u2019s always learning lessons as he goes. He continues to grow and that\u2019s an inspiration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gaudio wrote his first hit, \u201cWho Wears Short Shorts,\u201d for the Royal Teens when he was 15 and then went on to become a founding member of the Four Seasons and the band\u2019s principal songwriter. He also produced the hit \u201cYou Don\u2019t Bring Me Flowers\u201d for Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand (Grammy nomination, Record of the Year) as well as six albums for Diamond, including \u201cThe Jazz Singer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Other producing credits include albums for Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and the soundtrack for the film of \u201cLittle Shop of Horrors.\u201d Several songs co-written with Bob Crewe have been cover hits for such artists as the Tremeloes (\u201cSilence Is Golden\u201d), the Walker Brothers (\u201cThe Sun Ain\u2019t Gonna Shine Anymore\u201d) and Lauryn Hill (\u201cCan\u2019t Take My Eyes Off You\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

With his wife Judy Parker, Gaudio produced and co-wrote the \u201cWho Loves You\u201d album for the Four Seasons and one of Billboard\u2019s longest-charted singles (54 weeks), \u201cOh, What a Night.\u201d A high point in his career came in 1990 when, as a member of the original Four Seasons, Gaudio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1995, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which hailed him as \u201ca quintessential music maker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Adding to the authenticity of the show is the inclusion of Gaudio as composer and advisor. He is one of the three surviving members of the Four Seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

And, Gaudio still stays involved with \u201cJersey Boys,\u201d a show he holds close to his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis show isn\u2019t just four guys singing Four Seasons songs,\u201d said Gaudio. \u201cAfter seeing how well \u2018Smokey Joe\u2019s Caf\u00e9\u2019 did, we realized that there was a place for rock-and-roll on Broadway. We told our stories to the show\u2019s book writers and then they ran with it. But, they had our artistic direction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJersey Boys\u201d had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in October 2004. The show opened at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway to critical acclaim on November 6, 2005.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it first opened in La Jolla, we had the final veto,\u201d said Gaudio. \u201cThe show is done in documentary style and is fairly accurate historically. But, some stuff in the show isn\u2019t chronologically correct. For example, the show opens with a French version of \u2018Oh, What A Night\u2019 when, in reality, that was one of our last hits.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the beginning, I came from a group called the Royal Teens. We were primarily an instrumental group. Finding Frankie was the key. That was the muse. The show depicts the issues and the inner turmoil we dealt with. But, when push came to shove, Frankie and I were on the same page.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One page led to another for the Four Seasons. When the story concluded, the four \u201cJersey Boys\u201d wrapped up a career that included over 25 Top 10 hits, a slew of gold records and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the \u2018Second National Tour\u2019 of \u2018Jersey Boys\u2019 but it\u2019s the only one touring,\u201d said Chambliss. \u201cThere are only two productions running right now \u2013 Off-Broadway in New York and this tour we\u2019re on now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my second year of touring with this production. We start in late September and finish in early June. Last year, we finished touring and then they brought us to Atlantic City for the summer. I auditioned for the first time two summers ago and made my way right up into the role of Bob Gaudio.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJersey Boys\u201d was one of Chambliss\u2019 earliest introductions to live Broadway musicals.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up a few hours south of Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois and \u2018Jersey Boys\u2019 was one of the first musicals I saw,\u201d said Chambliss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw it in Chicago when I was in high school. I absolutely loved the show. I had an appreciation for it before I ever knew I wanted to be a professional actor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI went to Northern Illinois University and stared as an engineering major. I also had a passion for theater. After two years, I switched my major from engineering to theater.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chambliss\u2019 theatrical resume includes Broadway \u2013 \u201cFiddler on the Roof\u201d (Sasha, u\/s Perchik) — and Regional \u2013 \u201cGypsy\u201d (Tulsa), \u201cAll Shook Up\u201d (Chad), \u201cThe Full Monty\u201d (Ethan), and \u201cAltar Boyz\u201d (Matthew).\u00a0 Topping the list is his current gig \u2013 the irresistible jukebox musical, \u201cJersey Boys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences really love this show and keep coming back again and again for many reasons,\u201d said Chambliss. \u201cObviously, the music is a really big reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they love it because of the story. It\u2019s a very interesting and unique story \u2013 a rags-to-riches story. There is just something about their story that is genuinely inspirational.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cJersey Boys\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/hmkCrqDV4Dw<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJersey Boys\u201d will be presented at The Playhouse on January 18 at 2 and 8 p.m. and January 19 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $75.<\/span><\/p>\n

This week, the Kimmel Center\u2019s Broadway Philadelphia\u2019s 2019-2020 season will present a show that has been playing to packed houses for a quarter-century \u2013 \u201cRiverdance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Riverdance<\/p><\/div>\n

From January 21-26, the Merriam Theater <\/span>(250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/a>)<\/span>will host a very special edition of the hit show based on Irish dancing — \u201cRiverdance \u2013 25th Anniversary Show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRiverdance – 25th Anniversary Show\u201d\u00a0is\u00a0\u201cRiverdance\u201d taken to an entirely new level.<\/span><\/p>\n

The iconic international dance production, known for its Grammy Award-winning score and powerful Irish dance numbers, continues to get better.<\/span><\/p>\n

With new design elements and a whole new look — new sets, new scenic design, new costumes, new lighting, new animated technology, and new musical orchestrations — the production features a stellar cast, including local 17-year-old South Jersey fiddle player Haley Richardson as a member of the Riverdance band.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show\u2019s top-flight line-up of Irish dancers includes Gianna Petracic, an internationally acclaimed dancer who has both Irish dance and ballet in her dance background.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been with \u2018Riverdance\u2019 since 2014,\u201d said Petracic, during a phone interview Friday morning from a tour stop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. \u201cI spent a couple years in China with the \u201820th Anniversary Show\u2019 and have been touring for the last three years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Petracic was born in Sydney, Australia, and has been dancing ever since she was a little girl. She attended the Halloran School of Dance, training in Irish dance, ballet, contemporary dance and musical theatre. There she obtained several championship titles in Irish dancing.<\/span><\/p>\n

She also studied ballet part time at the Australian Ballet School and part time acting at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts). Petracic was a part of the cast of Prodijig\u2019s show \u201cFootstorm.\u201d She is also an original cast member of \u201cHeartbeat of Home\u201d — touring and performing in London\u2019s West End as a featured dancer. Her older sister Natasia Petracic is a dancer with a \u201cRiverdance\u201d company that is on a U.K.\/European tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m 26 and my sister is 27 \u2013 14 months older,\u201d said Petracic. \u201cWhen I was little, I started dancing because she started dancing. I danced in high school \u2013 ballet, Irish, jazz. I grew up doing competitive dancing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Petracic\u2019s involvement in dance competition even brought her to Philadelphia in 2009 to compete in the 39th Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne, World Irish Dance Championships, which was held for the first time in North America at the Kimmel Center.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2013, I started my pro dance career,\u201d said Petracic. \u201cMy sister and I have danced professionally ever since. We even debuted lead performances in \u2018Riverdance\u2019 on the same day. She did the matinee show and I did the evening show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Riverdance\u2019 is always a \u2018thing\u2019 if you did Irish dancing. It\u2019s the most prestigious show in the world for Irish dance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Initially, \u201cRiverdance\u201d was created as a seven-minute piece to be performed as part of the intermission entertainment at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. The piece was so well received that the team of producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan expanded it to a full-length stage production.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rest is written in the history books.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRiverdance\u201d had its world premiere in February 1995 at the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland and, since then, has been seen onstage by over 20 million people worldwide. Additionally, Whelan won the 1997 Grammy Award for \u201cBest Musical Show Album\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 25th anniversary show still holds all the key aspects \u2013 with slight changes,\u201d said Petracic. \u201cWe have a flamenco dancer, two American tappers, a Russian folk dance with three male dancers and three female dancers. We have about 30 dancers altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s also the same music \u2013 with a few changes. There are two new numbers in the show. We have four band members \u2013 pipes, fiddle, sax, drums. And the new 25th anniversary sets are great. Audiences really love them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences love \u2018Riverdance\u2019 for many reasons but the dancing is the main reason. You can\u2019t beat the opening scene when the cast comes out in complete darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Riverdance is the original. And it\u2019s the best. The show is a massive celebration of Irish culture.\u201d
\nVideo link for \u201cRiverdance \u2013 25th Anniversary Show\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/5gSbweqZ_I4<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRiverdance \u2013 25th Anniversary Show\u201d will run from January 21-26 at the Merriam Theater. Ticket prices range from $40-$119.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times They may be \u201cJersey Boys\u201d but the closest the four main cast members of the touring musical \u201cJersey Boys\u201d will get to New Jersey for the next five months is this weekend when the show touches down in Wilmington, Delaware. On January 18 and 19, the Playhouse (10th\u00a0and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5166],"tags":[3912,5084,5242],"class_list":["post-26190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-jersey-boys","tag-riverdance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26190"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26191,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26190\/revisions\/26191"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/26188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}