January 8, 2010

Michael Ingersoll Reflects on His Long Run in JB Chicago

January 8th, 2010

JB Chicago
Shonn Wiley as Bob Gaudio, Dominic Scaglione Jr. as Frankie Valli, Michael Cunio as Tommy DeVito and Michael Ingersoll as Nick Massi. (Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune)

On the Chicago Tribune Theatre Loop blog, Doug George has a terrific post about Michael Ingersoll’s last days with JERSEY BOYS.

When the curtain comes down at the Bank of America Theatre at the end of the 2 p.m. matinee, there will be one Jersey Boy who was there to see it first rise. Michael Ingersoll has played the character of bass guitarist Nick Massi for the entire run — from first “Sherry” in 2007 to last “Who Loves You.” He’s been bandmates with no fewer than three marquee Vallis.

“That’s why I think I actually know what Sunday will feel like,” Ingersoll says. A friend told him that he works in the goodbye business. Shows open and close, cast mates move on. “So I already know that bittersweet feeling,” he says, “it’ll just be times 19.”

One part of the performance that will stay with him: the big “Who Loves You” finale at the end.

“Not for the applause, although you’d think so, because you can get used to anything. Anything. Even 2,000 people screaming every night.” Don’t misunderstand, it’s not that he isn’t grateful. “But it’s not like the gates of heaven open and we get an ego bath every single night.” The stage lights are up at that moment, and the band can see the audience better than the audience thinks. He can see individual faces. “All these different kinds of people who have come together to pay their money and play pretend and exercise their emotions. They’re smiling or clapping or crying in the dark,” he says. “That’s the privilege of having been on this ride.”

Visit the Chicago Tribune to read the entire story.

1 Comment »

  1. I remember him in the 1st Nat’l Tour, then switching to the then 2nd Nat’l Tour with Steve Gouveia. Chatting with him was always great, he’s down to earth and never rejected a photo or autograph request, but we loved him proclaiming “gotta find a place to eat…..” after each stage door appearance, cause I know they acted, danced and sang their hearts out onstage and deserved a great bite to eat…. LOL! Will miss Michael and the rest of the company, and hope to see them at their next gig or even in another JB company….. Thanks for the memories!

    Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — January 10, 2010 @ 6:28 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. | TrackBack URI

Please leave a comment