Interview: Donnie Kehr and THE GREATEST PIANO MEN at NJPAC on 8/15

The Greatest Piano Men is a tribute to the greatest piano icons in music history. With an 8-piece band and 3 pianos on stage, the show celebrates the songs from Beethoven to Billy Joel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and many more. It's solid rock 'n roll classics from start to finish.

The Greatest Piano Men features Donnie Kehr who was in the original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys, Who's TOMMY and can be heard singing on both of the shows' Grammy-winning albums. We had the pleasure of interviewing Donnie about his career and The Greatest Piano Men.

What is the very first show you remember seeing and enjoying?

The first theatrical production I saw was the 1st national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, I was 6 or 7 years old and I was completely inspired to perform on stage in a rock opera. I remember thinking and wondering why there weren't more rock & roll theatrical shows like it.

When did you know you were destined to be a performer?

I saw the movie Oliver and Bugsy Malone on TV and said to my Mom, that's what I want to do. Little did I know that 3 years later at the age of 12, I would make my Broadway debut in a play called "Legend" with Elizabeth Ashley & F. Murry Abraham.

We'd love to know about some of a mentor who inspired your career?

The great lyricist Fred Ebb of the legendary writing team Kander & Ebb ( Chicago, Caberet, New York New York and others) Became my adopted Godfather and mentor.?He taught me so much about life, laughter and professional etiquette. I give him a lot of credit for my success in the theatre, he would always tell me the truth, even when it hurt.

Tell us a little about your education.

My mother was a ballerina and taught professionally all over the world, so she sent me to School Of American Ballet and I was under scholarship there for 8 years. I attended Professional Children's school in NY since I started working at a very young age.?I am a self taught musician, I play piano, guitar, drums and bass.

What are some of the challenges of working in so many areas of the performing arts?

When you grow up in the entertainment business, you learn a lot by watching everybody do there job. I have been fortunate to work with some of the best in the business and have been trained by some of the greatest Directors, Producers and Designers in the world.

What would you like area audiences to know about the The Greatest Piano Men?

The Greatest Piano Men is a show for all ages. It takes you on a journey musically and a leaves you with a little history lesson about the piano greats who changed the face of music. It's a 90 minute joyride of hit after hit with 3 pianos on stage and an 8 piece band.

What are some of your future plans?

This week we are premiering The Greatest Piano Men. The future plan is to tour the show all over the world.

Anything else, absolutely anything you want BWW NJ readers to know.....

I was in the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys and in the Clint Eastwood film. I created the role of loan shark Norm Waxman. In my family tree, my Father Skip Kehr and his fathers father before him all came from Cape May New Jersey, so NJ is in my blood.?As a matter of fact, my father will be attending the world premiere and I'm so glad he's going to be there.

The Greatest Piano Men will be performed in the Victoria Theater at NJPAC on 8/15. Showtime is at 7:30pm. Tickets - $49.50 - $59.50 (plus applicable fees) available online at https://www.njpac.org/events/detail/the-greatest-piano-men, by phone at 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722) and in person at NJPAC Box Office located at 1 Center Street in Newark. The show will be followed by additional performances on August 16 in Port Chester, NY at the Capitol Theatre and on August 17 in Westbury, NY at the NYCB Theatre.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Donnie Kehr.

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