Jersey Boys Blog

Our JBB Fantastic Fan Interviews feature has exploded! It’s been a blast to pay tribute and talk to the amazing fans that keep coming back to experience this phenomenal show! We are delighted to present our fourth JBB Fantastic Fan Interview with Josh Bellan, a college student, who talks about how he discovered Jersey Boys; what keeps bringing him back to this amazing production; and so much more!

JBB: Tell us a bit about yourself.

JB: Well for starters, I’m a freshman at Middlesex County College in Edison, New Jersey. I’m in the process of working toward a degree in theatre because I hope to become an actor. I’m 19 and currently single and looking. I graduated from South Brunswick High School in Monmouth Junction, NJ, and I am a member of the class of 2006.

JBB: When did you first hear about Jersey Boys, and what sparked your interest in seeing the show for the first time?

JB: I first heard about Jersey Boys probably through Broadway.com when they posted the video of the press rehearsal, and it just looked like such an amazing show. I knew I wanted to go see it.

JBB: What did you think of Jersey Boys upon seeing it for the first time?

JB: I thought it was wonderful. I managed to get student rush tickets on my birthday last year with my family, a friend, and one of my mom’s friends. We weren’t in the best of seats (it was row W), but we were right in the middle and the only thing we couldn’t see was the catwalk and the top of the stage.

JBB: Many of Jersey Boys’ biggest fans are from the Baby Boomer generation. As a college student, what makes this show so appealing to you? What is it about the story and the music that makes you feel so connected to Jersey Boys?

JB: What makes the show so appealing is the story, because it’s just a great story of how these four guys were able to overcome a lot of obstacles and find a name and a sound and make it. Also, a lot of the humorous moments in the show help the story as well.

JBB: What about your friends’ reactions to seeing Jersey Boys?

JB: The only friend of mine who has seen Jersey Boys came with my family and me on my birthday last year and he liked it. It was the first time for both of us, and we both had a great time seeing the show. Not that many of my friends really care for Broadway, but they put up with me talking about it and Jersey Boys.

JBB: Have you met any of the Jersey Boys cast members?

JB: I’ve met John Lloyd Young, Daniel Reichard, Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, Michael Longoria, Peter Gregus, Dominic Nolfi, Mark Lotito, Donnie Kehr, John Leone, Kris Coleman, and Jennifer Naimo. It’s funny too, because each time I wait at the stage door, Daniel and John recognize me (from the photos and MySpace). So it’s an interesting experience to have them recognize me.

JBB: You were born quite a few years after the Four Seasons’ heyday. Were you familiar with the Four Seasons’ music before seeing Jersey Boys?

JB: Not as much as I am now. I knew some of the songs, such as “Sherry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” but I didn’t know many of the other songs.

JBB: If you were given Des McAnuff’s job for a day, what changes would you make to Jersey Boys?

JB: I don’t think I would make any changes to Jersey Boys—it’s perfect!

JBB: What is your favorite line in Jersey Boys?

JB: “I’m not drawn to the old neighborhood. My life never revolved around the old neighborhood, I don’t give a f*** about the old neighborhood.”

JBB: What’s your favorite Jersey Boys scene?

JB: Definitely at the beginning of Act II when the guys are sitting in the jail cell in Ohio and Tommy and Bob are going at it. Tommy: Hey Nick, Remember when we couldn’t get arrested? Bob: When was that, when you were three?

I also like the scene when Nick explodes on Tommy when they are settling Tommy’s debt.

JBB: Do you have a favorite Jersey Boys song?

JB: I’m going to have to say it’s a tie between “December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”

JBB: Why do you think people keep coming back again and again to see Jersey Boys?

JB: It’s a great story being performed each night by a spectacular cast.

JBB: How many times have you seen Jersey Boys, and what keeps bringing you back?

JB: I’ve seen it five times and I’m going soon for my sixth time, and what keeps bringing me back is the great mix of humor and drama in the show. It’s also the cast– especially John, Daniel, Christian, and Bobby.

JBB: Anything else you’d like to share about Jersey Boys?

JB: During the second half of my senior year, I wrote an article on Jersey Boys. After my teacher, Mr. Loh, approved it and told me it was going to be submitted, I mailed it to John, Daniel, Christian, and Bobby. Then, I got a postcard back from John, and now, when I go to see Jersey Boys and visit the stage door, I get recognized by John and Daniel (I sent them photos as well).

I also had a project this year in one of my classes about the careers we would be pursuing and my professor said that if we knew someone in the field, we could use that person as a source. So, I wrote to John, and he sent back some answers. Also, just the other day, I received a Christmas card from him as well. He’s such a nice guy.

Once again, thank you to Josh Bellan for sharing his thoughts on Jersey Boys and best of luck to him in his dreams to become an actor! We’d love to feature YOU on an upcoming JBB Fantastic Fan Interview! If you’re interested, please click on the Contact Page and send us your contact information.