JBB EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Daniel Reichard!
August 2nd, 2006While in New York last month, Jersey Boys Blog had the amazing privilege to interview Jersey Boys’ star Daniel Reichard before the Sunday matinee performance on July 9, 2006. In addition to talking about his Broadway debut in the megahit musical, Daniel talked about how it all began for him, and his great passion for interpreting songs.
JBB: Congratulations to Jersey Boys for winning the Best Musical Tony Award! When you heard Julie Andrews announce your show as the winner, what were the first things that went through your mind?
DR: The night of the Tonys was unforgettable in so many ways. We were all very excited (and a bit worn out from the previous weeks and months of not only doing eight shows a week but the multiple television appearances) and walked the red carpet in our foxy tuxes. Performing at Radio City Music Hall for the show was a big enough thrill. I remember coming offstage, beaming and trembling. I thought to myself, ‘Well, if we don’t win for Best Musical, at least we gave them hell out there…and I just played Radio City!!’ When Julie Andrews said ‘And the Tony goes to…Jer…’ I jumped out of my seat. We were all so elated. My entire family (except my one sister who lives in Japan with her family) was sitting in the first mezzanine at Radio City, so that added to the overwhelming excitement. Christian winning the Tony was such a powerful moment because while we were rooting for him, we weren’t necessarily expecting his win. He is one of my closest friends, so I couldn’t contain my excitement. Winning the Tony for Best Musical gave all of us a collective feeling of joy because all of our work was being acknowledged in the category. The virtuoso direction of Des McAnuff, the sophisticated and innovative book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the smooth and understated choreography by Sergio Trujillo, the beautifully-executed musical soundtrack assembled by Ron Melrose and Steve Orich, the crew, the band, and the hard-working cast. We all shared in the satisfaction of receiving that award. Then, it was back to work, and back to the show. I’m glad the awards are over, because doing the show is what is really important to me. Not the awards. The show happens every day for different people, and we work so hard to make it a powerful and unforgettable experience for the wonderful people in our audience.
JBB: How did you become interested in musical theatre and in becoming a concert singer?
DR: I’ve always been really theatrical, sort of naturally. I am the second youngest of nine kids, and I think it was easy to find attention that way. At family reunions as a kid, I’d get up and do King Tut and other impersonations. I really was into Steve Martin, and thought about being a Saturday Night Live player. I still do, sometimes, to an extent.
In high school, I began musical theatre, and I was encouraged to sing a lot with a teacher who told me to ‘foster this gift.’ Musicals in high school were an interesting challenge.
If you get into this business to be famous or wealthy, it’s going to stink. You have to enjoy the experience; it’s a lift. I grow being a performer in the same way other people might grow being a parent, a teacher, or an attorney. It’s a job you take for the experience of doing.
As a concert singer, it’s been really awesome, and I have a great passion for interpreting songs. I have a solo concert series coming up at Joe’s Pub on August 20 & 21st.
JBB: You’ve been with Jersey Boys since the very beginning at La Jolla Playhouse. When you first read the script for this role, what did you think of the script?
DR: The first time we did a read through at the table, we all kind of took a deep breath. The story was good, smart, interesting, and complex. Creating it from the beginning was really a lot of fun.
JBB: What is it about the story and the music that makes the audience feel so connected?
DR: People like that these guys are successful, but they’re all flawed. They have a touchable quality. You see them on the road; you see them with their families and friends; and you see them negotiating relationships. It shows how these guys succeeded, but it also shows the costs, the sacrifices, and the downside to success.
JBB: What’s your favorite scene in Jersey Boys?
DR: The Oh, What a Night scene, because it is fun to see Bob outside of his businessman/songwriter role, where he was having a great time, even smoking a joint on stage.
JBB: Give us your best line.
DR: ‘I’m not drawn to the old neighborhood; my life never revolved around the old neighborhood, I don’t give a fuck about the old neighborhood.’
JBB: What’s the most challenging part of playing Bob Gaudio?
DR: To make him appealing and charismatic without becoming flashy or showy. Bob narrates some of the biggest, most colorful, and the most variety of scenes, with joy, excitement, and sadness. Since I have lots of energy, Des (McAnuff) suggested that I hold some of that energy back and not be too theatrical while playing Bob.
Jersey Boys Blog would like to thank Daniel Reichard once again for taking the time for this incredible interview, and for sharing his passion and thoughts on Jersey Boys and song interpretation!
Once again, I tried to ping this posting!
Great Work!
http://thespisjournal.blogspot.com/2006/08/too-darn-hot.html
Thespis
Comment by Thespis — August 2, 2006 @ 9:40 pm
Wonderful interview! Daniel Reichard is so genuine and so talented. Loved him in Jersey Boys and his friendliness and willingness to chat with the people at the Stage Door (me included) after the performance was terrific. I came away thinking.. what a great performer and equally important.. what a nice guy!
Jean
Comment by Jean — August 3, 2006 @ 3:15 pm
I loved his performance in “Jersey Boys.” And he genuinely seemed glad to say hello and sign autographs after the show. What a class act!
Comment by Betty — August 3, 2006 @ 8:50 pm
I can’t wait to see the Original Jersey Boys one day. I saw it in SF w/ an amazing cast! Daniel seems so cool and really fun. He quoted one of my favorite lines. It’s a classic one!
Comment by Lauren — June 6, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
The Broadway cast members are extremely down-to-earth and willing to accommodate their fans as best they can. Daniel is extremely articulate onstage and off, his “Bob Gaudio” is very realistic and cool, but singing ability (Cry for Me), just blew the crowd away that night.
Since SF had Erich Bergen and currently has Andrew Gehling playing Bob Gaudio, their all-around talent shines as much as Daniel! All three are deserving of that role and am sure that we’ll definitely hear more from Daniel as his career with Jersey Boys and other future engagements occur.
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — June 6, 2007 @ 2:48 pm