December 10, 2009

Eric Gutman Heads Home to Jersey Boys in Detroit!

December 10th, 2009

Eric GutmanAs a special to The Jewish News, Suzanne Chessler notes that JERSEY BOYS cast member Eric Gutman has been a member of the national tour, the Broadway, and the Chicago companies over the last three years, but his upcoming run in Detroit is anticipated as the most dramatic experience on a very personal level.

Gutman, who grew up listening to the singing of his grandfather, Cantor David Gutman of Temple Beit Kodesh in Livonia, soon will be singing as the 97-year-old joins an audience watching the Tony Award-winning production at the Fisher Theatre.

“After three years of being in the show, I find it awesome that my grandfather will be seeing it,” says Gutman, 32, based in Royal Oak and pursuing stage work amid business opportunities.

“My grandfather always has given me his full support, and that’s meant a great deal over the years.”

The show, which spotlights about 30 songs as it follows the lives of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, includes Gutman performing in nearly 80 percent of the numbers. During some of the songs, the ensemble singers are backstage adding harmonies and giving the effects of recordings.

“I’m playing Norm, the bad guy, as well as a half dozen or so other roles,” explains Gutman, who earned a fine arts degree from Western Michigan University and has appeared locally in “Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back” and “Forbidden Christmas.” “The bad guy is kind of a fun departure for me.”

Read the full fantastic interview with Eric on TheJewishNews.com.

3 Comments »

  1. Eric, Chicago misses you already, but so happy your Grandfather will be able to see the show. Hope to see you in a future show. All the best!

    Comment by Rose — December 10, 2009 @ 10:53 am

  2. Hi Eric – Chicago will be missing you but Detroit can’t wait for your return – your family & friends can’t wait to see perform at the Fisher we’ll all be there – can’t wait for you, Sarah & Riley come home

    Comment by Goldie Topper — December 10, 2009 @ 11:35 pm

  3. Hi Eric and I’m so happy for your return, and really hope to see you soon again.

    Now, today, the second day of Chanukah, I need you and your granddad to give me a miracle of light. I am in Poland where it gets dark at 3 PM each day. Any chance we can channel Judah Macabee to get me a day of oil that will last until I return to the States??

    Finally, you never did tell me how your beautiful wife Sarah recognized me so quickly in LA out of thousands of people! How did you describe me? I’m still not buying her explanation of her going up to each audience member “Are you Howard?” LOL. Best to Sarah and Riley.

    Comment by Howard Tucker — December 13, 2009 @ 11:10 am

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