Preview of Glenn Carter’s BWW Interview!
October 28th, 2009
BroadwayWorld.com’s Carrie Dunn has a terrific interview with JERSEY Boys London’s Tommy DeVito–Glenn Carter! Here’s a preview:
Q: Does the success of the show surprise you? It’s so quintessentially American and it’s done so well here.
Glenn Carter: To a degree, yes. And to a degree, no. And I say that to qualify it. To me, ‘Jersey Boys’ sounds like four strippers. I didn’t know what it was. I thought it would be like The Chippendales, Jersey Boys, when I first heard about it. I didn’t necessarily have any idea of the story of the Four Seasons. I had no idea of the quality and depth of their catalogue of songs. I knew some of them, and I knew songs very well but I didn’t know they were their songs, because other artists had done them. When they asked did I want to audition for it, I said, “What is it?” and it was described as a jukebox musical coming over from America that’s done very well there, and I said no. I was doing Shakespeare, I was about to do my third Sondheim musical in two years, I was in Derby, and I said, “Do I want to do a jukebox musical? Jumping up and down with my bobby sox on?” No, I don’t. My agent said, “I’ve got a copy of the script, do you want to read it?” I said, “Well, I won’t have time to read it. Can you just send me some of the scenes that he does?”
So I was sent four or five scenes from it, and I thought wow, they’re really well-written, really well-structured. I asked friends about it, did they know about the Four Seasons, and most people said no, although they knew the name, and knew Frankie Valli and so on. I googled it when I could, and looked at some things from the actual show. It was a little bit glittery, a little bit glitzy, a bit dancery a show for me. The script was great, and I thought, “Well, that looks quite interesting. It’s a show that will entertain people, and it’s got a really gritty script.” So I said OK, I’ll audition, and see how it goes.
So I came down and auditioned for it. I was auditioning for Bob Gaudio initially. They said, “I think you’re perfect for Tommy.”So I said OK, I don’t know anything about Tommy, so they handed me a script. Then I went away, and THEN I read it on the train back to Derby that night. I thought, “It’s brilliant. That’s the part I want.” He’s so arsey, so aggressive, not like anything I’d played before, loud, and raucous, and crude, and rude, and all of those things – I just thought it was really interesting. I didn’t like it, and then when I looked at it, I saw the depth to it.
Q: He’s a real anti-hero, Tommy. You can’t help but kind of like him, but he’s also awful.
GC: Yes! He is awful! I don’t think this is the real Tommy. In the real Tommy’s defence, I don’t think he would ever or could ever be like this. It’s not conducive to an image of a human being, this show, it’s just a certain aspect of a human being’s personality. It could not be possibly all his personality. Someone would have killed him. It’s impossible for that to be a complete human being. However, it works really, really well as a show. You view it all through his eyes, really, although you hear from each of the Four Seasons. He is the main influence in all of those interpretations, the main person that’s talked about in all of the seasons, because the show is split into the four seasons. Tommy is actually the protagonist. He’s the main engine behind everything that happens in the whole show. It is an amazing character to play. It’s a great character.
Glenn Carter is entertainingly odd. But he has some interesting perspectives. (And is a wonderful Tommy!)
Comment by Leanna — October 29, 2009 @ 12:41 am
Growing up in the 70,s I heard alot of the music but by other artists so like Glenn I never knew it had anything to do with them – I’ve seen the show early this year and WOW what a show they all gel so well together to make a fantastic sound very like the four seasons themselves. It made me go out singing and I’m still singing! – Living in Leeds it’s rare I get to see a show – but I came away from there and you tubed jersey boys and Glenn – OMG Glenn I found Jesus Christ Superstar WOW what a voice.
loving the show and hope to see it again next year
Comment by Sharron Fenton — October 30, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
Hi all, so glad you liked the interview – he’s a very interesting man to talk to!
Carrie x
Comment by Carrie — November 2, 2009 @ 5:42 am
Friend of mine is actually dating the gorgeous GC, and I don’t know if anyone has noticed on his message board that some of his fans
And I don’t mean young girls are boardering on being stalkers, at least his girlfriend isn’t an actress so doesn’t have to witness near cat fights at stage door
Comment by helen — February 7, 2010 @ 5:16 pm
Helen, i happen to know for a fact Glenn’s girlfriend is an actress and model, if she was your ‘friend’ i would have thought you would be aware of this fact. (i say fact as i have seen her in Panto) I have never done ‘stage door’ but if there were catfights i’m sure the theatre would have stopped fans hanging around. I have walked past fans waiting and other then being a little over excited, i have never seen bad or inappropriate behaviour. and the cast seem to enjoy the attention. I also think it is very unfair of you to label his fans stalkers, unless glenn himself complains there is obviously no problem, and as they do appear to be older ladies i doubt they would show anything but respect to him, i think your comment is very rude and inaccurate.
Comment by CJ — February 18, 2010 @ 7:37 pm
OMG – according to various sites Glenn seems to have more than one girlfriend. So what if you’ve seen his “girlfriend” in panto she may not be his current partner.
Reading some messages on his board why do they get so angry as Glenn won’t come out after a show etc esp a matinee
An old friend of mine Michael Strassen did JCS with Glenn and G is a fiercly private guy
Not many leads come out between shows just due to lack of time, having friends in, interviews to do etc
At the end of the day Glenn is human like the rest of us just because he chose to be an actor doesn’t mean that because you like him he owes you something
If that was the case I’d think most the rock bands I’ve supported over the years would owe me something
If he’s around after a show that’s cool but if not move on and go home.
They have lives away from the spotlight and some people need to accept that
Comment by caty — February 19, 2010 @ 6:03 am
What I also forgot to say is if you think helen was being rude I suggest you check G on who’s dated who and see what someone has posted about his association with the raelian movement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by caty — February 19, 2010 @ 6:06 am
I completely agree with CJ. I saw the show December last year and was completely taken aback by the sheer talents of the man. Since seeing the show I have booked to see it again on Glenns last performance date, and yes I do plan on getting a bit of stage door action in the vain hope of an autograph but I dont feel that this makes me at 34 a stalker, simply an admirer of his great work. I have spoken to people who do the stage door thing and all the cast are more than happy to sign autographs and pose for pictures, Glenn included. There is no fuss, there are no catfights. If there were I am sure they would put a stop to popping out to say hi. I would think that they find people wanting to congratulate them on the show very satisfying and a sign of a job well done not us mere mortals being stalkers !!! I agree there proberbly are a few nut bars out there but us grown ups know the difference between the relms or fantasy and reality. I would like to think that Glenns other half understands about us fans due to the job that he has. People are going to want a picture with him and are going to want to have a little chat even if it is a quick hello and thanks for a great performance, but at the end of the day its her he comes home to and she is one lucky lady !! Stalkers, No simply admirers x
Comment by Heather Sullivan — February 19, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
WELL SAID CATY !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The guys may appreciate the fans but and correct me if I’m wrong I dare say there are times when they think to themselves that the stage door posse would just go away. Maybe they don’t come out due to possibly not feeling 100% or having matters that are more important than signing a programme etc.
Just be lucky that they come out at all, here in NY so many won’t due to security risks & especially if an A lister is in the cast,be grateful that you’ve seen them on stage think how many people haven’t had that opportunity for whatever reason ! !
Comment by michelle — February 19, 2010 @ 4:28 pm