July 10, 2006

Jersey Boy Spencer’s Mentoring Experience With Fellow Jersey Boy

July 10th, 2006

Asbury Park Press staff writer Karyn D. Collins tells the story of Red Bank Regional High School student Dennis Chambers’ dream come true. For one magical day, Dennis Chambers was the toast of Broadway — lunch at the famous New York theater hangout Sardi’s, a personal backstage tour and prime seats to the musical Jersey Boys.

For the 15-year-old aspiring actor, there was the most magical part of all — private lessons in singing, acting and dancing from a cadre of pros led by J. Robert Spencer, who stars in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, and Dominic Chianese, who plays Uncle Junior in the HBO drama “The Sopranos.”

Here’s a preview of this inspiring story:

Dennis, who just completed his freshman year at Red Bank Regional High School’s performing arts program, was the winner of a contest sponsored by Spencer. The actor, who plays Nick Massi of The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys, had wanted to give a special gift from one Jersey Boy to another.

About the special day, Spencer said,

“I always said if I get a lead in a Broadway show, I can’t wait to give back. The arts just aren’t funded like they should be. Everyone knows how important education in the arts is.”

Reflecting on his big day on Broadway, Dennis said,

“Everything about the day was just so unbelievably awesome. If I didn’t already know how much I wanted to be on Broadway, this would have let me know. Now I really want it. This only convinced me further. It was a great, great experience. I’ll never forget it.”

Both Chianese and Spencer assured Dennis he was on the right track and encouraged him to keep up the hard work. About Dennis’ future, Spencer stated,

“Does he have a shot to make it? Absolutely. He has talent. He takes direction well. That’s key. More importantly, though, you have to have passion, too. And he has that. Yeah, I think he’ll make it.”

And when he does make it, Dennis said he hopes to do what Spencer did for him. Dennis said,

“Hopefully, one day when I’m on Broadway, I can do the same thing for someone else. If I ever have the opportunity, I’ll give back, too.”

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