BWW Interviews: Shonn Wiley Talks UNDER THE STREETLAMP

SHONN WILEY in UNDER THE STREETLAMP, America's hottest new vocal group with a top PBS special, performs an electrifying evening of classic hits. Wiley, one of the leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning musical "Jersey Boys" delivers an evening of unforgettable entertainment. Songs include Doo-Wop, Motown, old time Rock 'n' Roll and favorite songs from The Drifters, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and many others. And thanks to the permission of Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio, the group performs a medley from the "Seasons" outstanding hits. Special guest, Gentleman's Rule also appears onstage to make this Charlotte event unforgettable.

Presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts at Belk Theater, September 23, 2014. Tickets are on sale at Blumenthal Performing Arts Box Office: 704-372-1000 and BlumenthalArts.org.

Wiley was at home in Michigan having some off time with his parents and sister before starting this tour.

LAW: Where are you now?

SW: I'm in Adrian, Michigan. I'm having a little reunion with my family before our Hartford, Connecticut engagement tomorrow night.

LAW: Is tomorrow night the first night of the tour?

SW: Yes, we had a little hiatus after we played in Harrah's Casino in New Orleans and we also played in Tunica, Mississippi. That was fun. I'll fly out tonight and meet up with the group. They're traveling by bus.

LAW: How long will you be on the road?

SW: We will be performing here in the states until February and then we go abroad.

LAW: Is Charlotte the second city you will be performing in?

SW: Yes, we have a couple of days off and then we appear in Charlotte. I'm looking forward to it.

LAW: Did you grow up in Adrian?

SW: Yes.

LAW: What was it like growing up there?

SW: Adrian is a great unique town. It has two colleges, Adrian College and Siena Heights University and it supports the arts. There are dance studios and the Croswell Opera House. The opera house has been in existence for 175 years.

LAW: What was your first love, singing or dancing?

SW: I love it all, but I was dancing first. My dad, Herb Wiley, was a dancer and he had me take dancing lessons at an early age.

LAW: Tell me how the show, UNDER THE STREETLAMP came about.

SW: We were performing in "Jersey Boys" and when it closed, we weren't finished. We were performing as a group at Italian street festivals and fundraisers. We were singing songs from the '60s, '50's, [pause] and the 40's. A little of the Four Seasons, Bobby Darin and Sammy Davis, Jr....

LAW: I noticed in your performance, there is a flavor of Sammy Davis in your style.

SW: We're like a modern day "Rat Pack" on stage. It's a great big party and the audience is invited. The show has slick choreography and the best musicians I have ever worked with.

LAW: What was your most memorable experience in your profession?

SW: As a kid growing up, I always had a goal to be on Broadway. I went to Carnegie Mellon University and then to New York. I landed a role in the revival of "42nd Street." When I went on to dance the first number, I could see my parents sitting in the front row watching me. That was the most memorable.

LAW: What was the worst experience you've had?

SW: [Laughs]...Oh, I'll never forget,... I was playing Anthony in "Sweeney Todd." Sweeney had the judge in the chair. My character, unknowingly by entering, was supposed to prevent him from killing the judge. I missed the cue. The actor playing Sweeney had to stall. I could hear my cue from the dressing room. I was panicked running to get onstage. If Anthony didn't stop the murder, there would be no second act. That was the worst. [Laughs] I never did that again.

LAW: Wow [laughs], how did you miss the cue?

SW: I was working on choreography for another show the theater was producing and I forgot the time.

LAW: How did you get cast in "Jersey Boys"?

SW: A friend of mine was in the show in Chicago and he said I would be good for the role of Bob Gaudio. I saw the show and I thought that would be a role I could play. One year later, the role opened up and he suggested me to the casting director. I had two auditions and I was told I was going to Chicago for a year.

LAW: UNDER THE STREETLAMP kicks off tomorrow night. How do you prepare?

SW: That's funny [pause].... I get up, have some breakfast and I usually go for a run. I visit the theater to see the layout. We do a sound check. Tomorrow will take longer because we have a new band member. Before the show, we usually meet audience members at a theater reception. After the show, we meet the rest of the audience in the lobby and we'll sign anything.

LAW: What can people expect when they come to see this show?

SW: We cover it all,... Ballads, Soul, Rock-a-Billy... There's something for everybody. It's a great show!

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