By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY –
One of the biggest shows to hit Broadway in recent years opens at Sheas Performing Arts Center tonight. "Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons," begins a three week run in Buffalo. With sales already through the roof, Sheas officials said the Tony Award-winning show is a guaranteed hit here too. WBFO's Joyce Kryszak stopped by the theatre to talk with the guys who play the famous pop swooners. They revealed some of the behind-the-scenes-secrets to the show's success.
Click the audio player above to hear Joyce Kryszak's full story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.
If you have been in the Unites States, or anywhere in the world really, anytime over the last five decades - this sound is a familiar one.
Those legendary harmonies, and of course, that unmistakable Frankie Valli falsetto are the trademarks of the band that sold 175 million records worldwide. The foursome had one hit after another crossing just about every musical genre, from pop and folk, to soul and disco.
What made the group such a perennial hit were the unforgettable songs and that unforgettable unique sound. After all, not just anybody sounds like Frankie Valli. Jersey Boys actor Joseph Leo Brawie should know. He had to go to school to learn to sing like that.
But Brawie and the other guys you heard joining in sure are not scaring any audiences away. There are currently six productions running in cities around the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, as well as the touring show.
The phenomenon started five years ago in California. Steve Gouveia was there from the beginning. Gouveia believes the show works because it is not just some run of the mill jukebox musical. He and actor Ryan Jesse, who plays Bob Gaudio, explain why it is so special.
The story takes you back to the hard knocks beginnings of four Italian-American friends in Newark, New Jersey. Not an easy place to grow up being poor, much less become a pop sensation. There were brushes with the law - and the mob. Valli and Gaudio came up with the idea to write a musical around their stories and their songs.
Part of what makes the show so believable is how true it stays to the music. Instruments are played live on stage by some of the actors, including Matt Bailey who plays guitarist Tommy DeVito. Bailey said that also helps make it a show guys can appreciate too.
A couple of the cast members will have some of their own families in tow. Actress Denise Payne - yes there are a few women in the show - grew up in Buffalo. Payne said she is back where for her it all began. She saw her first Broadway show at Sheas.
Brawie has extended family here too. But he is not quite as familiar with the area, or some of the Indian town names.
If you want to come hear "sings with high note," you'll have to hurry. Sheas officials said there are some left, but tickets are going fast.