BWW Interviews: Getting to Know JERSEY BOYS' Drew Seeley

JERSEY BOYS has won a Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award. It's been playing stages around the world since 2006. It's been here in Minneapolis twice before. You've probably seen it on the big screen in last year's film by Clint Eastwood. But if you have not experienced this show live on stage, get thee to the theatre! (It's truly too much fun to miss.)

Telling the musical tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, this true story of a group of blue-collar Jersey boys from the wrong side of the tracks making it all the way to the Hall of Fame is a classic American tale with music that are some of the biggest hits in pop music. Many of the tunes were written by the last member to join the group, Bob Gaudio. Drew Seeley (see bio below), a singer-actor-songwriter who has had success in film, TV and on stage, plays him in this tour. In 6 Questions & a Plug, we get to know a little about this talented performer:

You play Bob Gaudio, who wrote most of the Four Seasons' biggest hits and helped bring this musical, and last year's film, to life, as well as being a prolific music writer, producer and Hall of Famer... is there extra pressure on you as a performer to play a living legend and have you met and/or worked with Gaudio to craft your performance?

I haven't met Bob yet, though I REALLY hope to while on this run. He's a fascinating guy, and has had such a long career. As a songwriter myself, I'm inspired by his chops and the smart business decisions he's made throughout his career. I don't feel extra pressure necessarily because the show is so well written. Since Bob and Frankie had hand in crafting the show, using real stories and things they went through, you can't really get too far off track as an actor. You've just got to go out there and have a blast, and the writing does the rest of the work for you.

What do you think is unique/special about Bob Gaudio as a character in JERSEY BOYS - what qualities made him such a significant member of the group, and how do you bring that out on stage night after night?

Well, Bob was the last of the Four Seasons to join, and also their principal songwriter, along with Bob Crewe. I like that he is a introspective, quiet kind of character who doesn't need to be in the spotlight at all times. His personality is a nice foil to Tommy DeVito's constant bravado.

Is there a moment in the show that stands out as your favorite song, scene or moment, and why?

My favorite songs and moments in the show change week by week. It's a real gift on stage when something unexpected happens, and you go with it. Surprisingly, that still happens with our group night to night. It still feels fresh and exciting every time we hit the stage. So, current favorite song, "Dawn." Next week, who knows!

This show is constant motion with energetic dancing, singing and changes from the beginning when you're playing teenagers through their careers to when the Four Seasons made the Hall of Fame. Do you have to watch your nutrition, rest, exercise or anything else special to maintain eight shows a week at that pace? How are you keeping yourself, and your role fresh after six months of this pace?

It's not only the eight shows every week that can wear you down, but the travel as well, flights, busses, hotel life. We definitely hit the gym at least three or four times in each city to keep our stamina up. Or a Crossfit box, there's a large group in this cast who've really gotten into that. At the end of the day, you've just got to eat well, get enough sleep, all the things your mother told to do since you were a kid. And the show itself is a workout.

I see that you are traveling with the tour to Japan this summer. What do you think will be different and the same between this and your North American audiences? Does the show change at all when you take it to a country where English is not the primary language and do you think you'll get a different reaction than you do here in the U.S.?

From what I've heard, Japanese audiences may be more reserved than we're used to here in the states, but we really won't know until we get there. The show will be translated on screens for them as we perform so they'll get all the jokes, but I'm wondering if there will be lag time. No matter what the response, I can't wait to get there and experience Tokyo! I'm sure it'll be a fantastic time, I mean, music is the universal language, right?

What's your training and background aside from what we read in your bio, and how did you come to be part of this production?

I started dancing and singing as a kid, and was cast in SHOWBOAT, directed by Hal Prince and choreographed by Susan Stroman when I was 11. I did the show for a year, and caught the bug big time. Haven't really wanted to do anything else since. I auditioned for JERSEY BOYS in Los Angeles, and then again in New York for more of the creative team. And "the stars were in alignment!"

Now for the plug part - what's next for your career with this show and beyond, Drew? Any plans set yet, or any roles you hope to play next?

Well I have three films I shot before JERSEY BOYS started that have yet to be released, "Yellow Day," "Do Over" and "Chalk It Up." My new years resolution this year also was to release a new single every month of 2015. So I've released four so far and am prepping on for May now. They're all available on iTunes and Spotify. Beyond that I'm just really looking forward to getting home to LA and spending some quality beach time with my awesome wife, Amy Paffrath and our pup, Astro.

Drew Seeley's bio:

Drew Seeley (Bob Gaudio) is SO amped up to be a Jersey Boy! Broadway: THE LITTLE MERMAID (Prince Eric); North/South American tours: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE CONCERT (Troy Bolton); Film: "Another Cinderella Story," "Freshman Father," "Do Over;" TV: "Glory Daze," "Lovestruck," "One Tree Hill." HUGE thanks to mom, dad, Katie, Ellen, Mark, everyone at Talentworks, Merri and the entire creative team! And, of course, my one in a million wife, Amy Paffrath. This one's for you, babe! Check out my music at www.drewseeley.com and be my pal on twitter/instagram! (@DrewSeeley).

Extra fun info:

Check out Seeley's website for links to his recently released music, other interviews and little facts like he's celebrating his birthday and anniversary while in Minneapolis.

More (show) info:

Performance dates are Tuesday, April 28 through Sunday, May 3, 2015, at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre. Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in person (no service fees) at the State Theatre Box Office, online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Center.

Photo: Drew Seeley, photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of Hennepin Theatre Trust

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