Even before he finished his sophomore year at the University of Oklahoma, Manny Tijerina started preparing for his Lyric Theatre debut in the hit musical "Jersey Boys."
"This is my professional debut, as well. This is my first professional show I've ever booked, which is a very unique experience, booking the lead like this, when you're 19, going to be a junior in college," Tijerina said via Zoom from backstage during rehearsals. "I understand that it's a unique opportunity, and I've just been nothing but hat-in-hand grateful and enjoying every second of it."
With Lyric Executive Producer Ashley Wells directing, the long-running Oklahoma City professional theater is staging for the first time the Tony Award-winning musical biopic of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. "Jersey Boys" is the second title on Lyric Theatre’s three-show "Summer at the Civic" season, with performances July 9-14 at Civic Center Music Hall in downtown OKC.
"It is very difficult for a director in how it's written, because it is so fast, yet you travel to all these different spaces. ... when you have to get to the bowling alley and the movie theater and the church in a matter of one page," Wells said, adding that it's the first time Lyric has been able to get the rights to put on the popular show.
"But I just love the show. My entire family loves the show: My mom loves the show; my kids love this show."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Which Four Seasons hits are featured in 'Jersey Boys?'
The 2006 Tony winner for best musical, "Jersey Boys" chronicles the rise of The Four Seasons from four blue-collar kids from the streets of New Jersey to one of the greatest success stories in pop music history.
The rollicking jukebox musical showcases the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame vocal group's classic hits like “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You" and more.
That means Tijerina is making his professional debut portraying Valli, who has, as the New Jersey Hall of Fame puts it, "one of the most recognizable and distinctive singing voices in all of popular music."
"I started listening to the show and becoming aware of this show about two years ago, when I started submitting for summer theaters that were doing the show, because 'Jersey Boys' is produced everywhere. And I quickly realized that I'd be an amazing Frankie Valli one day. I didn't think it'd be this soon, but I've been working at it for a while," said Tijerina, who will celebrate his 20th birthday on July 9, the day Lyric's production opens.
"I got the contract ... four months ago. And from then on, I've been singing the entire show every day, seeing what works, what doesn't, what makes my voice gone, and what I could do every day. And I found a sweet spot with that."
Finding a quartet of performers who could emulate Valli's three-octave range and powerful falsetto, along with his bandmates' tight doo-wop harmonies, was a particular challenge, Wells said, but she is thrilled with the actors she tapped to portray The Four Seasons. Along with Tijerina as Valli, the principal cast includes Sean McGee as Tommy DeVito, Trace Burchart as Bob Gaudio, and Jackson Barnes as Nick Massi.
The cast also includes Matthew Sipress, Vince Leseney, Audrey Logan, Emily J. Pace, Chris Richie and Sierra Sikes of the vocal group OK3.
"I think everybody likes to see origin stories ... and I love how this is told, because you get a snippet of how it's told through each one of the guys' different point of view at different times," Wells said.
How is an OU alumni bringing his previous 'Jersey Boys' experiences to Lyric Theatre's production?
While Tijerina is making his professional theater debut, McGee has practically become a pro at performing with "Jersey Boys." The 2013 OU graduate spent two years on the show's national tour playing producer/songwriter Bob Crewe and working as the understudy for the Gaudio role. He then starred as Gaudio in two regional theater productions before he was cast to portray DeVito in Lyric's production.
"I've done the show like 500 times ... so it's so nice to do something different and play with a new character," said McGee, who also is working as the OKC show's assistant choreographer, alongside choreographer Amy Reynolds Reed.
"Manny's great, and the thing about working with Manny — and all of them, really — is ... being able to share this show that I know and I protect so much. When you've done it so much, you do become protective of it in a weird way."
After previously working on Lyric's 2014 productions of Disney's "The Little Mermaid," Monty Python's "Spamalot" and "A Little Night Music," McGee said he is excited to return to the Civic Center with the state's official theater.
"It's a huge house. I haven't played this big of a house in a minute ... and it's so beautiful there," he said.
For Tijerina, having a fellow Sooner as a mentor for his first professional performance has proven special.
"Sean is the most caring person I've ever met. Period. I've not met a lot of people, though, so that probably won't last. But he's extremely tough. ... I don't believe that this show would be as detailed with a three-week rehearsal process if it weren't for him," Tijerina said.
"I've been spoiled with this being my first professional production. I just love everybody here, and I love doing this. And I want to do this for the rest of my life."
'Jersey Boys'
Most Popular
Comments / 0