January 7, 2010

Michael Ingersoll’s Reflections on Jersey Boys and His Future

January 7th, 2010

JB Chicago Sun-Times
John Michael Dias (played Frankie in every matinee performance since show opened, from left), Michael Cunio (stars as Tommy DeVito), Michael Ingersoll (played Nick Massi since show opened), Dominic Scaglione Jr. (stars as Frankie Valli) and Shonn Wiley (stars as Bob Gaudio). (Photo Credit: Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss has a marvelous piece focusing on JERSEY BOYS Chicago ending its phenomenal run this Sunday at the Bank of America Theatre and includes reflections from JB Chicago’s Nick Massi–Michael Ingersoll.

By the time “Jersey Boys” bids farewell to Chicago with its Sunday matinee at the Bank of America Theatre, actor Michael Ingersoll, who plays the role of Nick Massi, will have sung “Sherry” well over 1,200 times.

That statistic (which includes his pre-Chicago appearances in the national touring company that played San Francisco and Los Angeles), doesn’t even begin to account for all the replacement and understudy rehearsals, or the many special event and publicity appearances he has participated in as the only member of “the group” who has been with the Chicago production from the start. So no matter how hooked one might be on the irresistible harmonies of “Sherry” — that hit song by Bob Gaudio that put Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at the top of the pop charts in 1962 — you might suspect Ingersoll would never want to sing it or hear it again in his life.

Yet that is not the case at all. The actor considers himself one of the luckiest people around.

“To have been in an uplifting hit Broadway show, in the city where my wife [actress Angela Ingersoll] also works, and to make it through a really bad recession with my best job ever [including health insurance], while so many other people had to fight for minimum wage — well, that’s a gift,” said Ingersoll, who previously had been working at Pegasus Players and the Metropolis Theatre in Arlington Heights.

Visit SunTimes.com to read more about the long-running JERSEY BOYS Chicago production, thoughts about the show from Lou Raizin, president of Broadway in Chicago, more of Michael Ingersoll’s reflections on his amazing time with the show, and to find out what is in store for Ingersoll in the near future.

3 Comments »

  1. I thought this was a wonderful article. It’s really becoming real here that Jersey Boys in my city will be gone after Sunday. In the actual paper, they had and original Chicago cast picture as well as reflection from Shonn, Dominic, Michael Cunio, Michael Ingersoll and JMD about what they’ll miss and the influence of the music too. Very nice. :)

    Comment by Ally — January 7, 2010 @ 6:06 pm

  2. Michael Ingersoll is one of my very favorite Jersey Boys. I recall (and I’m sure he does too) my first meeting with Michael when JB was in previews at the Ahmanson in LA. Four friends and I had just exited the backstage area as Michael was getting into a car. I yelled “Michael”, and after a second of hoping I was soliciting some other person with the same name, he actually stepped out of his car to greet us, ask our names, and take pictures with us.
    I somehow also recall it coming out in our conversation that he was a martial arts expert, or perhaps he said so in order that we wouldn’t overstay our welcome!

    What a class act! I wish Michael and Angela all the best!

    Comment by Howard Tucker — January 8, 2010 @ 9:49 pm

  3. Agree with you, Howard. All of the cast are very nice, but Michael is a stand-out. Aside from being incredibly talented, he’s also warm, down to earth, kind, and attentive.

    Comment by Rose — January 8, 2010 @ 11:06 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. | TrackBack URI

Please leave a comment