June 14, 2012

Michael Lomenda’s Reflections on Playing Nick Massi

June 14th, 2012

JB 1st natl tour 4 seasons
Michael Lomenda (left) portrays Nick Massi, Joseph Leo Bwarie (second from left) plays Frankie Valli, Preston Truman Boyd portrays Bob Gaudio, and John Gardiner plays Tommy DeVito of The Four Seasons.(Photo Credit: Joan Marcus)

World Scene writer James D. Watts has a marvelous in-depth interview with JERSEY BOYS first national tour’s Michael Lomenda, who reflects on playing the late Nick Massi, The Four Seasons’ bass player and vocal arranger. Below is a sneak peek:

Michael Lomenda has a very simple career plan when it comes to roles he wants to play.

“It’s pretty much ‘not the leading man,’ ” Lomenda said, laughing.

Not that Lomenda couldn’t do a leading man role if he wanted. He’s got the blue eyes, the chiseled jaw, the easy physical grace people associate with the guy who always gets the girl and sings the final song.

But Lomenda – who plays Nick Massi in the touring production of “Jersey Boys,” now playing at the Tulsa PAC – would much rather play the character who stands to one side of the hero.

“One of the things I really like about playing Nick Massi is that he’s not the frontman,” Lomenda said, laughing. “I’m really glad that Joe Bwarie is out there in front as Frankie Valli every night.

“But I find characters like Nick to be really interesting to play,” he said. “They’re a little off the wall, in a way, and that actually helps make them a lot more human.”

Visit TulsaWorld.com to read the full interview.

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