Ryan Strand: From Altar Boy to Jersey Boy
June 6th, 2010
Tim Brouk has an interview with Lafayette native Ryan Strand, who went from an Off-Broadway tour of Altar Boyz to one of the hottest shows on the road today, the national tour of “Jersey Boys.”
Strand is on the swing crew, meaning he has understudied three ensemble members’ roles as well as the role of Frankie Valli. If the actors who play those roles are sick, injured or on vacation, the 26-year-old steps in.
“I have 87 costumes spread out over the four parts,” Strand said. “One ensemble member plays 17 different roles throughout the show.”
Strand will have a homecoming when Jersey Boys comes to downtown Indianapolis’ Murat Theatre, 502 N. New Jersey St., with a run starting Wednesday and going through July 3. He is booked to be in the ensemble during the last week of the show’s Indy run. The week before, he will be on his honeymoon as he will be getting married to Becca Kloha of New York. The nuptials will be in Brown County.
A Jefferson High School graduate and former member of the First Edition show choir, Strand graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 2006.
Here’s a preview to the interview:
Q: Is this a natural progression to go from “Altar Boyz” to “Jersey Boys?”
A: It’s funny. A few people have gone from “Altar Boyz” to “Jersey Boys” but they’re completely different shows.
Q: How were you cast in “Jersey Boys?”
A: I had gone to a couple auditions for the good part of a year and never got a spot. I then accidentally ran into (“Jersey Boys”) casting director Merri Sugarman and she said “You should come by” and then I got the part a day later.
Visit JCOnline.com to read the full interview.
