Silhouettes JB Podcast

Episode 43!  

Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer is back with his partner and fellow JERSEY BOYS alum Miles Aubrey to talk about their upcoming show “7,000 Miles to Broadway!”

J. Robert Spencer created the role of Nick Massi in La Jolla and on Broadway. 

Miles Aubrey originated the role of Norm Waxman on the first national tour where he also covered Bob Gaudio, and then went on to play Norm Waxman and covered Gyp DeCarlo and Nick Massi on Broadway.   

Learn about how they worked together on Jersey Boys and how Bobby created his autobiographical show.   

2 guys. No egos. Just music.

7000 Miles to Broadway  

-Nov. 16th. Rudder Theatre in College Station, TX. 7:30pm.  Buy tickets here: https://www.eisemanncenter.com/event/i/7886/d/j-robert-spencer?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7000MilestoBroadwayonsale&utm_content=version_A

-Nov. 18th. Hill Performance Hall @ Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX. 7:30pm.  Buy tickets here: https://boxoffice.tamu.edu/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=8C3D300E-E6B8-4952-9B39-27A91F9CCDC1&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=3FD267C8-AC08-4E89-96FF-3086F023915D

This episode was recorded on November 4, 2021.   

A’ Salud🍷♥️

Please welcome the Tony-Award nominated set designer who put Jersey all over the map…Klara Zieglerova!

A Prague native, Klara studied design at David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University and was later hired as an associate set designer of the 1998 Roundabout Theatre Co. Broadway revival of 1776 and 1999 Broadway revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN along with stage manager Richard Hester.

Credits as lead designer include the Broadway production of THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE, the 2012 national tour of FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo as well as the Broadway, West End, and touring productions of SISTER ACT directed by Jerry Zaks and THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Des McAnuff.  

In this episode, you’ll learn about:  

-How she nailed her Jersey Boys interview with Des McAnuff  

-Original sketches of the set  

-What drew her to the story…”The iron curtain.” 

-The production she coined the “Rolls Royce of Jersey Boys sets”  

-Why the Jersey Boys UK tour set has two spiral staircases   

-How to design for a national tour  

-Her time working with late lighting designer Howell Binkley  

-How design teams are created and opportunity to newcomers in this niche role in theater  

-Her set design nomination for Jersey Boys ♥️  

Key quotes: 

-“Des wanted to keep the show as downstage as possible”  

-“My only job is to not let the scenery get in the way.”  

Don’t forget…Everywhere you see an official Dodgers production of Jersey Boys, you’re immersed in Klara’s gorgeous set design. ♥️🍷  

A’ Salud to creating Jersey all over the map! All the love, Klara.  

This episode was recorded on October 13, 2021.

Klara's Website: http://www.klarazieglerova.com/

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Meet Tony Clements!

Tony Clements was a swing in the 3rd national tour of Jersey Boys.

When he studied theatre at Pace University, the New Hampshire native performed in a a production of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s DOGFIGHT and in Stephen Sondheim’s SWEENEY TODD, starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel as Mrs. Lovett as the title role at Lincoln Center.

Tony most recently played Joe Pesci in a Jersey Boys production at Maine State Music Theatre this summer! 

All before he turns 29 in December. Tony, we wish you continued success! Thank you so much for joining us!  

Watch his episode to learn about:  

-Vocal health on tour. Travis Cloer told us about vocal health in Vegas. Now Tony teaches us how to stay healthy on a national tour and realizing the extra work needed as singers get older.  

-His straw warm-up (A popular Frankie technique!)  

-A special tour house with killer acoustics  

-The evolution of JB branding and press materials (Dodger Theatrical marketing, we love you! )  

-The character of Frankie Valli’s maturity in Spring, Summer, Fall and his final act in Winter. Of course Frankie loved the validation from audiences, but did he really want the fame?

This episode was recorded on June 9, 2021

Tony's Website: https://www.tonylclements.com/

Tony IG @tonyclements

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When Andrew Frace takes a swing (role), he never misses…because he knows that everything in life happens the way it needs to. Andrew is a man of no ego and an actor with no sense of competition. 

We know Andrew as swing in the JERSEY BOYS company since 2009. He started as Joey (u/s Frankie, Bob and Tommy) at the Palazzo Hotel  and Norm (u/s Tommy) at the Paris Hotel, Barry Belson on the national tour and now he’s a swing and Bob u/s at New World Stages.

Other credits include: THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET three times -- most recently in the role of Johnny Cash in a regional production at the Arvada Center Theatre in Colorado this summer. He also played the role of Johnny Cash in the famed long-running sitdown production at the Apollo Theater in Chicago and stood by for the roles of Johnny Cash and Sam Phillips on the national tour. He also toured the country in THE LION KING as Ed, one of the 3 main hyenas. He also understudied Timon and Zazu!

His regional credits include J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, at the Heritage Rep Theatre, Anchor / Gill in the original cast of FINDING NEMO in Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Willy Wonka in Will Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at the Kennedy Center, and so much more!

He’s been in our living rooms, too where he was on the hit NBC shows 'New Amsterdam" and "Blacklist," CBS’s "The Bull" and of course STARZ’s "Power Book II: Ghost" along with JB alum, Cory Jeacoma!  

He tells us: 

-How the JB creative team instilled confidence in him -His experience understudying Frankie 

-The importance of giving people grace 

-The art of forgiveness 

-The JB direct addresses impacted him and audiences around the world  

Watch this episode for the reality check you’ve been waiting for.   

This episode was recorded on August 9th, 2021. 

Andrew Frace IG: @andrewfrace

Website: https://www.andrewfrace.com/

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Renée Marino is a woman of many titles — Actress extraordinaire,

Check out our YOUTUBE PAGE, Silhouettes JB Podcast for a commentary of her iconic scenes in the Jersey Boys movie. There's so much we didn't know!

Renée Marino IG: @iamreneemarino @theree_marino

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Silhouettes JB Podcast is going international!

A few months ago in April and May, Amici Productions produced #JerseyBoysNewZealand.

This was the first-ever professional local tour in New Zealand and the only professional theatrical tour in the world at the time. For #JerseyBoys, ”is that style or what?”

The wonderful Geena Hutton — who played Francine — sat down with us to talk about this historic production!

Highlights:

-How she nails American accents

-Her experience with Hayden Milanes who came from the U.S. to play Frankie!

-Analysis of why Francine called home in act II and “Give me a fucking break” line

Fun facts:

-Francine was onstage during a special part in act II we don’t usually see!

-There was an added Bob Crewe line

Geena Hutton is killing it down under with three shows this year. Check out her page to see highlights of her performance in the title role in Mary Poppins, Francine in JB and @madagascarthemusical closing today!

Thank you so much, Geena and we hope to see you in person soon!

Geena Hutton IG: @geenahutton

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This episode was recorded on June 19, 2020.

Mike Backes is with us in the Zoom studio! Mike performed as a swing in JERSEY BOYS Las Vegas and as part of a special group of actors who covered lead roles on opposite sides of the Jersey Boys foil. Mike played the tougher Tommy DeVito and softer Bob Gaudio. Mike made his Bob Gaudio debut mid-show in the middle of a costume fitting!

Mike performed in the national tours of A BRONX TALE, ROCK OF AGES and GREASE, four Off-Broadway shows, two productions of RENT and has directed children’s theatre.

We’re here to celebrate Mike AND his new show debuting at the Triad Theater in New York City on Thursday, July 29th at 7pm.  

Mike and his talented girlfriend Pilar Martinez created "Timeless," a cabaret show with the greatest hits from the 1930s through the 1960s.

Watch this episode to learn:

-Who he swung for in JERSEY BOYS 

-About his analysis of the characters Tommy DeVito and Bob Gaudio

-About his directing experience.

This episode was recorded on July 1, 2021. 

Mike Backes IG: @mikebackes35 

Timesless IG: @timelessofficialnyc 

Silhouettes JB Podcast IG: @silhouettesjbpodcast_  

#MikeBackes #JerseyBoys #TriadTheatre

We’ve got a new point of view! As Lin-Manuel Miranda once said in a #Ham4Ham show, “we’ve liberated the musicians from the pit!”  

Jam in the Zoom studio with three incredible musicians from the JB 3rd National Tour — current musicians drummer Brett Beiersdorfer, guitarist Max Caine and JB tour alum bassist Jonny Morrow.  

Find out how: 

-To nail the most musically challenging sections of the show 

-To get hired into a professional orchestra pit right outta high school! No need to “check out the graduate course!” 

-Jonny Morrow built his own bass for the show  

Sit back and listen to some badass musicians talk about playing Grammy Award-winning charts!  

Brett IG @bbdrumsbrett

Max IG: @max_caine

Jonny IG: @jonnymorrow

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This episode was recorded on February 24, 2021. 

Executive Producers and co-hosts: Gia Doxey and Daveed Ben-Arie

It’s Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young’s birthday & he's here to promote his new concert “Solid Gold” on Friday, July 9 at 7pm PST / 10pm EST at full capacity at The Space in Las Vegas and available on livestream.   

His band is reuniting with a brand new set of Disco, 70s & 80s funk and soul hits — JLY now has at least 80 songs in his repertoire. He and music director Tommy Faragher even added a new horn player! "Think we can talk about a saxophone?" Time to party!  

Find out how he came up with the idea for the show and hear updates on his upcoming album (maybe 2 albums!)

A' Salud to you, John on your special birthday and to the U.S. on our Independence Day!   

JLY IG: @johnlloydyoung

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This episode was recorded on July 2, 2021.  Produced and co-hosted by Daveed Ben-Arie, Gia Doxey and Howard Tucker.