NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Whereas many exhibits have had cancellations throughout this newest COVID-19 surge, Broadway continues to be open for enterprise.
Off-Broadway is again, too. And one of many exhibits, “Jersey Boys,” continues to be wowing audiences, CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis reported Monday.
It’s the music that leaves audiences on their toes and cheering for extra. “Jersey Boys” is the story of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons.
Now Off-Broadway at New World Stages, Aaron De Jesus steps into the lead as entrance man “Frankie” and he says it’s laborious stuff.
“It’s arguably one of the daunting male roles in all of musical theater due to the acute singing you need to do taking part in Frankie Valli,” De Jesus mentioned. “He ages all through the present, so it’s a complete lot. But it surely’s additionally actually a variety of enjoyable to do.”
De Jesus has been part of the “Jersey Boys” household for 10 years, performing numerous roles in corporations from Las Vegas to New York Metropolis.
“There’s a sort of a refined expectation to sort of sound like Frankie and carry out like him despite the fact that they don’t essentially require that we do an ideal impersonation of Frankie Valli, as a result of nobody actually has that voice however him,” De Jesus mentioned.
The smash musical first opened on Broadway in November of 2005 and hit all the best notes to win 4 Tony Awards, together with Greatest New Musical, and ran on Broadway for more than 11 years.
Quick ahead to 2021, after a sudden shutdown, De Jesus says the previous 12 months and a half has been a problem.
“I’m so completely satisfied. We’re all so completely satisfied and over the moon to be again. But it surely’s been a troublesome time. It’s been a tough time, as a result of one of many issues that theater does is it sort of helps heal our souls in a means,” De Jesus mentioned.
The actor has had the nice fortune to fulfill Franki Valli.
“He’s very, very supportive of the present, and he comes every now and then. I’ve in all probability seen him perhaps half a dozen occasions by means of the years,” De Jesus mentioned.
And De Jesus has this message for theater followers:
“Please come see ‘Jersey Boys.’ We’re right here. We’re able to go. We’re excited to be again,” he mentioned.
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“Jersey Boys” is at New World Phases on fiftieth Avenue between Eighth and Ninth avenues.
