One of the longest-running musicals in the world, ‘Celebrating Jersey Boys’ will be heading to India next week with concerts at Kala Academy, Panjim on January 23 at 7.30 pm and at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on January 24 at 7.30 pm. Produced, directed and choreographed by Adam Curtis, managing director of Curtis Productions, UK, a creative house and partnership of Adam and Sharlie Curtis, this epic cast will bring to life the wonderful music of The Four Seasons.
The Four Seasons was formed in 1960 in Newark, New Jersey with Frankie Valli as the lead singer, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals and Bob Gaudio on keyboards and tenor vocals, the founding members of the rock and roll and doo-wop quartet. They performed songs in different genres including pop rock, pop, soul, doo-wop and rock and roll. The original members of the original members of the Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 and the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2017.
‘Celebrating Jersey Boys’ is the international musical phenomenon that takes the audience behind the scenes and the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. After successful shows on Broadway in the US and West End Theatre in the UK, the original cast recording of ‘Jersey Boys’ on the Rhino label won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2007. The Broadway production won four 2006 Tony Awards and five Sir Lawrence Olivier Awards in 2009. ‘Celebrating Jersey Boys’ is coming to India, thanks to Melwyn Camara in association with United Artist Entertainment tours India, the musical will be performed in Goa on January 23 and January 24 followed by
two shows in Mumbai on January 25 and 26 at St Andrews Auditorium, Bandra.
As managing director, Adam has great experience of show creations especially tribute shows of different artists. Speaking about the choice to produce and direct such a renowned show and win accolades at different stages, Adam says, “Directing and producing ‘Jersey Boys’ was a thrilling challenge due to its iconic status, but the magnetic story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, coupled with the incredible music, made it an irresistible project to do.
The cast of the performance has changed several times since the first show. For this performance, the four main leads will be Joe Leather, Kristin Turner, Matthew Scott and Benjamin Keith. “Casting our Jersey Boys was a unique challenge as it requires performers with a diverse vocal range from exceptional farsighted skills and all the way down to the bass roles such as Nick Massey and obviously having a very deep understanding of harmony. And finding the right balance was a demanding but ultimately rewarding process,” says Adam.
He further adds, “Casting Frankie Valli is always a challenge as the role demands a unique vocal range and a charismatic presence. In our latest production, Joe Leather takes on the role, capturing Valli’s essence. He was cast in the leading role of the Jersey Boys International Tour, so I think he will fit perfectly in our celebration production. Our other talented singers portraying The Four Seasons include Mathew Scott, Benjamin Keith and Kristian Turner.”
With the global success of ‘Jersey Boys’, the expectations for the India tour are going to be high. The cast and crew hopes to create an unforgettable experience for the audiences tapping into the universal appeal of the music and storytelling that resonates across cultures. “With our associate in India, we’re exploring exciting opportunities including a potential collaboration and unique projects that celebrate the rich cultures of the UK and even Europe and bring them to a brand new audience which would be obviously India,” says Adam.
The musical was recently performed for his Majesty the King of Malaysia. “We had the opportunity to fly out to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and we performed for the royal family of Malaysia and it was an absolute honour. The audience of Kuala Lumpur embraced the show with incredible enthusiasm and it created a memorable experience which just showcases the universal resonance of the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons,” says Adam about the musical that has been performed in United Arab Emirates, all over Europe and parts of Asia. “While it’s challenging to pinpoint the best, I think the enthusiasm in Malaysia was picked particularly noteworthy. It created an unforgettable connection with the audience,” he adds.
Frankie Valli’s contribution to the music industry is immense and he has composed music for celebrated films like ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Grease’. “Frankie Valli’s contributions to ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘Grease’ undoubtedly marked a pinnacle in his career, showcasing varsity beyond just the ‘Jersey Boys’. But did you know that Frankie Valli still tours today at the age of 89? Yeah, that’s correct, 89. And I believe his music is an enjoying legacy and the impact remains the defining chapter of the Four Season’s journey,” says Adam.
