In 2008, Russell Fischer was first cast in the Broadway rendition of “Jersey Boys.”
Nearly two decades later, performing the role of Frankie Valli is more emotionally resonant than it was when he was a 20-something.
“Being away from the show for 10 years, a lot of time goes by, a lot of life happens, a lot of grief that I can connect with. I feel like I connect with this role more deeply than I ever did when I was in my 20s. It’s a tremendous gift in that way. It feels cathartic,” Fischer said.
After performing the role for the first time in a decade in Greensburg, Pennsylvania earlier this year, Fischer will grace the Lakewood Center for the Arts stage this July and August during showings of “Jersey Boys.” The play follows the rise and musical excellence of mid-20th century group Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Like the band members, Fischer grew up in New Jersey and related to their aspirations of reaching New York City.
“There is a hunger, a desire to be in the middle of a thriving arts scene,” he said.
From his six-year run on Broadway — where he was part of the ensemble, played the role of Joey and was an understudy for the Valli part — Fischer has fond memories of switching roles from Joey to Frankie after the lead actor felt under the weather in the middle of a performance, and then getting a call to play the role again after he left the show. Fischer said those who pursue acting at that level can often be described as a “glutton for punishment” since preparing for daily performances is grueling.
“It can kick your ass. But you have to stay strong and push through any of the noise and believe in yourself,” he said.
After leaving the show in 2014, Fischer has spent much of the last decade touring with his doo-wop group, The Doo Wop Project. He noted that doo-wop music inspired The Four Seasons.
“We realized the common thread between these musicals, ‘Jersey Boys,” “Hairspray,” Ain’t Too Proud,” the Motown musical — the connective thread there is doo-wop music influenced that sound,” he said.
Performing “Jersey Boys” isn’t something Fischer forgot. Certain moments featuring audience interaction and when the band initially meets up bring back a rush of memories.
“When you have been doing the show for that long, it’s embedded in your heart and soul. It doesn't matter how long you have been away from it; it’s always there,” he said.
Fischer said he got connected with Lakewood through actor J. Robert Spencer, who played Nick Massi in “Jersey Boys.” Spencer knew people on the Lakewood board and suggested him after receiving an inquiry. And he said friends of the Lakewood theater have set him up with boarding accommodations.
“I am so grateful to Bobby Spencer for throwing my hat in a ring and mentioning my name,” Fischer said.
And the actor said he plans to give a different performance this time around.
“It is definitely a more emotionally charged performance. It’s more accessible now, I feel. I have better access to the emotional life of the role I’m playing,” he said.
Though he said he would like to return to Broadway, Fischer said performing “Jersey Boys” has scratched an itch and he hopes to do more renditions in other parts of the country.
“This was serendipitous, a cosmic nod. The universe said ‘Please play Frankie Valli at Lakewood theater’,” Fischer said.
For more information about the play, visit https://lakewood-center.org/.
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