Farewell and Best Wishes to Eric Gutman!
December 8th, 2008
Eric Gutman as “Donnie”
As most of you may already know, if you follow his Majewski’s Musings blog, yesterday was Eric Gutman’s final show in JERSEY BOYS.
For over two years, Eric has given us an amazing glimpse into the world of a young actor following his dreams on the stage, first as a JB national tour cast member on his Tour This blog, and later as a Broadway cast member on his Majewski’s Musings blog. Eric described his blog as a “day to day blog of what happens during rehearsals, celebrity sightings, and performing nightly in this hit show. From the tour to the Great White Way – it’s all here.”
The minute I started reading Tour This, I was hooked by Eric’s stories and insights! Within a week of reading his first posts, I immediately emailed Eric to tell him that this blog had the makings of a wonderful future book or screenplay!
The excitement of being chosen for the JB national tour (“I am in the first National Tour of Jersey Boys…holy shit.”); the constant rehearsing before the December opening in San Francisco (“10:45am: run it again. did i mention you need to work on the transitions?”); the SF opening (“I think the biggest thrill of the night was after we all took our company bow, we were joined onstage by the real Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Bob Crewe. From there, they stood by their counterparts and the audience just erupted into an ovation like I have never seen or heard.”)
The updates on Eric’s Tour This Blog were truly a treat to read on a regular basis! Eric’s recaps of what happened on tour made readers feel like we were right there with him–for the joys, the occasional flubs on stage, and traveling with Sarah and Tobey the dog to SF, LA, Sacramento, Costa Mesa, and so many other cities! How about when he went on as Bob Gaudio?: “Let’s first talk about going on as Bob: it was awesome. no…it was AWESOME. i don’t know where the “switch” happened as i have only gone on twice before in this role, but i felt so comfortable with the character.” Or when he went on as Tommy DeVito: “but the audience was great, very inviting…and after that first monologue, and i started to get comfortable with the pacing and got those first few laughs on “ubiquitous”, i felt almost like the audience was already with me…ready to take this ‘journey’ with me.”
Eric has not only been an incredible blogger, but he has been an amazing supporter of Jersey Boys Blog! From his first email and our first meeting at the stage door in SF, Eric was incredibly welcoming, thanking us for “that amazing blogâ€! It was a blast to do a JBB Exclusive interview with Eric after meeting him at the Curran Theatre. Also so great to meet his wife Sarah at the big Opening Night in LA, and it was wonderful chatting with him twice this year at the stage door on Broadway! In fact, on his list of links on his website, here’s how Eric described JB Blog: “The absolute BEST fan site about anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Jersey Boys.†How cordial is that???
Handsome Hank, we’re going to miss you! It’s been a true pleasure getting to know Eric Gutman over the last two years! Although we will miss his marvelous performances on stage and his updates on Majewski’s Musings, we wish him and Sarah all the best as they begin their new journey back in Michigan as they get ready for the birth of their daughter!
Eric, I really can’t add more to what Susie said…but I can say she got it right! I have enjoyed your performance in Jersey Boys, and I must give Audrey credit for her directing my attention to some of the more subtle nuances of your presence onstage. You really could command a scene with the flick of a wrist or the perfect strut/swagger as you exited offstage in smaller roles, and I have heard rave reviews as you played the roles of Bob and Tommy. You were gracious to pose for photos and at at the stage door and made sure everyone had a chance to get their Playbills signed. Sarah’s frequent presence made the meetings more exciting and she is so sweet and so pretty…you’re going to have one beautiful daughter! Your “musings” were an offbeat glimpse into life in and around Broadway and always entertaining. (BTW, the crib looks really sturdy…congrats!) God bless your growing family as you move to Michigan. Lulu
Comment by LuluThompson — December 9, 2008 @ 10:11 am
Hey There Eric,
Ever since you first answered my email welcoming you to the JB family, I knew you were an extra special person. You always found time to write the fans, thank them for the many kind words, articles about the show and the many visits to the stage door. You even surprised this fans son with a original tour cast autographed playbill to add to his autographed BWY playbill & other JB’s collection. You will be missed a great deal by us all. We wish you, Sarah, Toby & your little baby girl only the best in life & a wonderful future.
Soon there will diaper changes instead of costume changes, 2am feedings instead of early am rehersals, stepping over & around baby toys instead of learning choreography. You & Sarah will be great parents.
I know you WILL be back on BWY one day. When you are, we will all be there in the audience & at the stage door with best wishes, and great hello’s for our Guterman. Keep in touch. See you on Facebook & Myspace.
Stacey S. from Staten Island NY
Comment by Stacey — December 9, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
Eric, thanks for making me laugh so many times. You have a gift for humor that is largely unmatched. I have always felt one of the signs of a great actor is being able to act with one’s facial expressions and body language aside from the actual speaking parts. Your MIKA had me in stitches from the first time I saw it and your bit with the ape head ultimately became a requirement for the track. Bravo! You will be sorely missed by the fans. Best of luck to you.
Comment by Gary — December 10, 2008 @ 10:51 am
I wish him all the success. One thing that bothered me a little about his blog is that he tended to criticize the audience sometimes. The ticket buyers were paying his salary and I don’t know why it bothered him so much if maybe they had to go use the bathroom or needed to be home to do something important with their loved ones and couldn’t linger until the final curtain call. Maybe now that Eric is having his own family he’ll have more sympathy for people’s lives being more important than staying for every last minute of a show. Other than that little pet peeve about his blog, Eric did a great job, LOL!
Comment by Kelley R. — December 12, 2008 @ 6:46 am
Congratulations, Eric and Sarah!
http://theguter.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-addition-to-jersey-boys-family.html
Welcome to the world, Riley!
Comment by Leanna — January 24, 2009 @ 9:39 pm