Jersey Boys Heads to East Lansing; Check Out MLive.com’s Interview with Joseph Leo Bwarie!
September 26th, 2011Sue Merrell of The Grand Rapids Press has a preview of the JERSEY BOYS national tour production that is heading to the Wharton Center from September 28-October 16 and chats with Joseph Leo Bwarie about the megahit show. Check out this preview:
Joseph Leo Bwaire says “Jersey Boys†is the best show he has ever seen.“The first time I saw it, my jaw was on the floor,†he said in a phone interview from Columbus, Ohio.
Of course, he could be biased. Bwaire sings the lead role of Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning show about the ’60s singing group, The Four Seasons. “Jersey Boys†opens Wednesday at the Wharton Center in East Lansing.
“The tour is better than Broadway or Las Vegas or Chicago,†Bwaire adds with the kind of territorial pride one might expect of a Jersey kid. “It’s more honest, because we’re livin’ on the road like the band did. When one of the characters says, ‘I’m not so hot for the road anymore,’ I can identify with that.â€
The touring cast may be honest about life on the road, but when they seem like Italian boys with Jersey accents, that’s acting. Bwaire was born and raised in southern California, and his family is of Lebanese descent. Others in the cast also are from California; none is from New Jersey.
“When people think we’re from New Jersey, I just smile,†Bwaire said. “That means we’re doing our jobs. It worked.â€
Visit MLive.com to read the full interview.
Hey JLB;
I agree that the Touring group is much better than the other groups, especially with JLB playing Frankie.
Rita and I will be coming to the November 19th matinee in DC, with 3 other couples (Pharmacists and their wives).
Joseph, I’m even more thrilled to see you again, because when I was a kid, all my boyhood buddies were Lebanese, so I have a fondness for those of Lebanese descent especially those whom have done well in life,
Keep up the good work, and God Bless you!
Regis Mahoney, Retired Pharmacist
Hagerstown, Maryland
Comment by Regis Mahoney — September 26, 2011 @ 7:54 am
I told the guys at the Stage Door in San Antonio that now after seeing NYC and even seeing the show in London that the touring company is just so perfect that it is the best. I have loved every show and every cast, but my heart belongs to the touring company. Every cast member current and past has been extremely talented and so friendly to the fans at all times. I can’t wait to see tour II on the 10th of December because I know that we will be given only the cream of the crop. Joseph, you are and always will be a favorite “Frankie”. Thanks for the sharing your talent with us in the show and your fantastic CD.
Comment by Gladys — September 26, 2011 @ 4:55 pm