JB Las Vegas Swing Cast Member Aaron MacKenzie Shares His Inspirational ‘Walk Like A Man’ Comeback Story!
July 12th, 2012
Aaron MacKenzie (Photo Credit: Toronto Star)
Richard Ouzounian, theatre critic at the Toronto Star has posted a wonderful interview with JERSEY BOYS swing cast member Aaron MacKenzie. After suffering a very serious health setback in Toronto, Aaron is back with the show in Las Vegas! Below is a preview of this inspirational interview: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—“Walk like a man,†sings Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and these days, Toronto’s Aaron MacKenzie is doing just that as part of the Las Vegas company of the hit musical.
But it wasn’t that long ago he couldn’t walk at all.As one of the show’s “swings,†he has to be ready to go on at a moment’s notice and that frequently means MacKenzie is belting out Valli’s songs before the Sin City audiences, while doing Sergio Trujillo’s taxing precision choreography.
It’s an exciting way for the 25 year-old performer to be spending his nights, but a little more than a year ago, he wouldn’t have dreamed it could be possible.
Shortly after his graduation from Sheridan College in June 2007 he was hired for the exact same job with the Toronto company of Jersey Boys.
He learned the material, paid his dues and in March of 2009 he was finally getting to play an entire week in the leading role of Valli.
“We had a rehearsal and I did a little leg move that felt a bit funny, but no biggie. The next morning I was having trouble getting out of bed, but I went in and did the show. By the end of it, I couldn’t walk. I took a cab home and I never went onstage in Toronto again.â€
A justly terrified MacKenzie went to the doctor, who took an MRI and discovered two inflamed nerves rubbing against each other.
The only treatment? Stay in bed. Do nothing. Tough advice for a young man bursting with energy and talent in the middle of his first big break.
“They told me it would take six months for me to rehabilitate. It took over two years.
Click HERE to read about Aaron’s amazing comeback.
What a wonderfully inspirational story; so glad it worked out, Aaron. Aaron’s great recovery would make a terrific show….perhaps the next Brickman/Elice project!
Comment by Howard — July 15, 2012 @ 1:31 pm