Smash hit jukebox musical Jersey Boys hits Geelong in October, led by one of the Australian production’s original cast members.
Paul Watson, who portrayed loan shark Norm Waxman in the first Australian version of the show, directs Geelong Lyric Theatre Society’s production of Jersey Boys, which will run for eight shows from Friday, October 6 to Saturday, October 14 at Geelong Arts Centre.
Watson said the chance to impart what he had learnt from his time with the original production work to some of Geelong’s best and brightest upcoming stage performers was one he couldn’t pass up when offered the directorial role.
“One of the reasons I auditioned for Jersey Boys (in 2009) was the American creatives were coming out – Des McAnuff, who had designed the show, Sergio Trujillo, who did the choreography and won a Tony – this elite, amazing American team,” he said.
“We did a six-week rehearsal, so the opportunity to sit in a room with Des McAnuff for six weeks, it’s like doing a three-year university course.
“To have a cast full of Geelong talent and give them that – this is what a Tony(-winning) director had in mind, this is what he thought and these are the reasons why – that’s the thing I was most looking forward to.”
Watson praised the entire Geelong Lyric cast and crew, singling out the four leads Duane McGregor (Frankie Valli), Andrew Lorenzo (Tommy DeVito), Adamo Di Biase (Nick Massi) and Andrew Smith (Bob Gaudio) for special mention.
“The acting talent is just next level; I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve worked with a community theatre company of actors that has made my job this easy,” Watson said.
“The best thing is it’s a really cohesive group, and the four boys in particular are just the four best mates.”
Watson said he felt it was important to support and produce community theatre.
“When I came on board with this, the thing that I really wanted to focus on was that we have amazing community theatre groups,” he said.
“(Geelong Lyric) is genuinely committee-led, community, accessible, non-profit; this is here for everybody.
“We had COVID (but now) we’re back in it and everyone’s firing. Hopefully now the momentum starts.”
