NASHVILLE, TN — The highly anticipated musical JERSEY BOYS is currently running at Tennessee Performing Arts Center, this week thru September 20th. This show is part of the North American multi-city tour in celebration of its 20th anniversary year, and its first time back in Nashville in 8 years!
JERSEY BOYS is the true story behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. They were just four guys from Jersey until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story – a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The recipient of Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical. JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 65 major awards and has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide. The national tour is bringing with it to Nashville one of the show’s standout performers, theatrical singer and actor Nicholas Dion Reese. Nicholas steps into the role of ‘Barry Belson,’ a charismatic character that’s such a memorable part of the Four Seasons’ story. Nicholas’ blend of classic showmanship and contemporary energy promises to give Music City audiences a fresh, dynamic take on a beloved musical.
TRIBUNE: Tell us about your role in the show, Nicholas.
NICHOLAS: I’m playing the role of ‘Barry Belson,’ a radio show host. I play a couple of other characters as well… I’m so excited to be a part of the telling of this story. I have to put on my acting chops a lot more for a role like this.
TRIBUNE: Now, as a part of your preparation to be in the show, did you look at video or maybe go in person to see The Jersey Boys anywhere or what?
NICHOLAS: No, I hadn’t seen it. But I listened to the show’s album a lot. But the other cool thing about this production is that the people who are directing, supervising, and putting this show together are part of the original show’s Broadway team.
TRIBUNE: Do you recall exactly where you got the word that you had officially won the role to be in Jersey Boys?
NICHOLAS: I was back home in Alabama with my immediate family, parents, and siblings. I was sort of in between gigs at the time. It was just an ordinary day in good old Alabama. But by the end of the day, when I checked my email, I saw the big news.
TRIBUNE: Last question here. Since you’ve never performed in Nashville, and Alabama isn’t that far away, will any family members be attending?
NICHOLAS: I am not entirely sure. I have some shows in Rochester, which is originally from where my mom. My mom is, like, raised there, grew up there, and I also have some shows in Orlando, and those are two big family spots. So I’m not sure that they’ll come to Nashville.
TRIBUNE: I saw you on Instagram singing an acoustic version of Tina Turner’s Simply the Best. Are you interested in recording future albums?
NICHOLAS: I appreciate you watching that. Yes, I’m hoping to sing and record more. While we’re on these tours, I’m hoping that I can get some of my own singing done. Nashville is such a great opportunity to look more into that. I’m very excited about performing in Music City.
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