“Jersey Boys” cast visit student theater workshop

February 15, 2012 – Students at Bowling Green University got a taste of Broadway on Wednesday, senior Neil Powell said.

“Jersey Boys” touring members visited the University to provide students with insight into auditioning for Broadway musicals. How often do you get a chance to meet the cast of ‘Jersey Boys?’” Powell said.

The musical tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, a band that became famous in the 1960s with songs such as “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”

Approximately 50 students came to the workshop in Eppler Complex, which was hosted by Broadway Cares.

“We get a lot of experience at Bowling Green but it’s nice to have someone from outside give us advice,” said Cassandra Utt, president of the student group Broadway Cares.

Utt said Broadway Cares is a soon-to-be student organization on campus and that its main goal is to create a network for students and to raise money for Equity Fights AIDS.

When Utt heard “Jersey Boys’” touring company would come to the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, she contacted them to coordinate an event for students.

The workshop included a brief question and answer session with a tour manager and four actors. The members answered questions ranging from theater unions to auditions to each of their own backgrounds in theater.

Students were encouraged to be persistent in looking for jobs and to feel comfortable in what they perform.

“You’ll get hired for the job that you are right for,” said Kaleigh Cronin, who plays Frankie Valli’s girlfriend, Lorraine.

Students split into two groups for either a dance workshop or a vocal workshop.

Stephen Cerf, who plays multiple characters as a male swing, led the men in the dance workshop and Cronin led women in learning the opening number of the show, “Ces soirées-là.” The song is a cover made in 2000 of the band’s “Oh, What a Night,” made in 1963.

The dance workshop ran like an audition for a Broadway musical. The students initially practiced the dance together, then split into smaller groups to dance in front of other students. At the end of the workshop, the men and women combined their dances.

“They all picked up the material quickly,” Cerf said. “This is something we do every day; it’s like second nature. It can be hard to teach it though when it’s outside of context.”

He said he was happy to be able to help students interested in going to New York or in performing arts in general.

“Everybody was so nice and welcoming, it was great,” Cerf said.

Devon Goffman, who plays five different parts as a male swing, and Thomas Fiscella, who plays Gyp DeCarlo and others, led the vocal and monologue workshop.

Throughout the workshop, they encouraged students several times they were on the right track.

Fiscella said listening and preparation are huge for successful auditions.

Student Patrick Scholl came prepared to sing the song “Run Away with Me” by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk.

Goffman said he is close friends with Kerrigan and that he was impressed with Scholl’s portrayal of the song.

“You guys are doing things right,” Goffman said.

Goffman said the students were receptive to suggestions, and he was happy to visit the University to teach interested students.

“They’re amazing, extremely talented,” Goffman said.

He also said people in the theater community should support each other, not be competitive.

“I like to teach that we’re all a team. It’s a big community,” he said. “It’s about perseverance … and caring about each other.”

Fiscella agreed.

“The only person you’re competing with is the person you were yesterday,” Fiscella said.

Utt performed a monologue during the workshop to hear their advice.

“I was kind of nervous,” she said. “They gave me a lot of helpful hints to shape the monologue.”

Some students in Broadway Cares will attend the “Jersey Boys” performance at Stranahan Theater on Sunday where they will speak with performers after the show for more insight.

Broadway Cares will have a performance in April about Broadway throughout the years. All money raised by the group will be sent to the national organization in New York City. In the past, some of the funds have been granted to the AIDS Resource Center in Toledo, Utt said.

Don’t miss this incredible show while it’s in Toledo!
Get tickets for the final week of the Tony Award winning musical HERE

Read the story at THE BG NEWS ONLINE

WONDER WHAT THE CRITICS THOUGHT OF JERSEY BOYS?
HERE’S THE LINK FOR THE JERSEY BOYS REVIEW FROM THE TOLEDO BLADE