Steve Gouveia’s Last Show in SF by Lauren Avila
July 19th, 2007Jersey Boys Blog is excited to present a story by our newest Special Correspondent, Lauren Avila, who is reporting on Steve Gouveia’s last performance with the San Francisco/Chicago Company.
On July 15, 2007, the same day that the Jersey Boys’ family participated in San Francisco’s AIDS Walk, Steve Gouveia had his last two performances in the role of Nick Massi with the SF/Chicago Company. As of July 17, Steve joined the “Sherry†cast with Christopher Kale Jones, Deven May, and Erich Bergen, who are currently playing at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles through August 31. Michael Ingersoll has joined the SF/Chicago Company to play the role of Nick Massi at the Curran Theatre through September 30. The San Francisco/Chicago Company is scheduled to open October 6 at Chicago’s LaSalle Bank Theatre.
During their AIDS Walk for a cure, the cast and crew shared thoughts about Steve Gouveia leaving the company. His fellow Seasons conveyed their emotions both in their words and in their performance during the last show. At the AIDS Walk, Jarrod Spector said, “As a man, he’s fantastic and as a performer, he’s just terrific. It’s a pleasure to work with him. I’m going to miss him dearly.â€
The “Bob Gaudio†of the group, Drew Gehling referred to Steve’s departure to the likeness of breaking up a band. On Michael Ingersoll joining the cast, Drew stated, “It’s going to be wonderful to get to work with Ingersoll. I’ve heard great things about him and I love him as a guy. He’s a really wonderful guy but it’s going to be really hard to see Steve go.â€
The “Tommy DeVito” of the group, Jeremy Kushnier expressed his sentiments during the walk as well, “…in Jersey Boys it’s never really a ‘good-bye’ it’s just a ‘see ya till later.’ And so, we’re sad to see him go but I’m sure we’ll see him again.”
The audience at the Curran on Sunday night enjoyed a fantastic performance. Staying focused the whole show, no one would have guessed that it was Steve Gouveia’s last performance. When Jarrod Spector made the announcement during their final curtain call that it was Steve’s last performance, the crowd first let out an “aww.†Then, they followed immediately with thunderous applause. Having known prior that it was his last show with this tour, I felt the true emotion during the cast’s “Who Loves You†rendition.
After the show, I was able to talk to the cast a little more. They do seem sad to see Steve Gouveia leave, but I think that they’re really happy for him and wish him the best. Steve Gouveia will definitely be missed by his colleagues and fans. Northern California will see the return of the “Sherry†cast when they play at Sacramento’s Community Center Theater from September 7-22, 2007.
Great job, Lauren! I was also at that performance and the crowd noise after Jarrod’s mini-speech was really sweet. As was Steve’s reaction to THEIR reaction.
Comment by Leanna — July 19, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
Hi Lauren,
Great interview as well as the “play-by-play” of Steve’s last day in SF including the AIDS Walk and evening show.
It was great especially when Steve was so humbled by the applause and knew how to play it off well without getting overly emotional. After all, they had December, 1963 yet to perform….. Jeremy improvised that one very well when he mentioned the finale, then said….. “LET’S DANCE”!
At the stage door, Steve had an armful of belongings that he probably was bringing along to wherever the cast was treating him out to, but was gracious as usual to accommodate his fans! He’s truly a class act and even though we’ll miss him here, Sacramento is only but a couple of hrs. away in Sept.
Thanks for the great piece on July 15th’s activities!
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — July 20, 2007 @ 3:06 pm