FINALLY FRIDAY: Oh what a show

OH WHAT a Night writer and cast member George Solomon insists the Four Seasons-inspired musical is so good it could draw crowds in someone’s lounge.
“Our director (multi-award winner Michael Chapman) has a theory: a good show will be just as good in a 10000-seat arena as in somebody’s living room and we have that kind of show,” Solomon told the Independent
He put the impact down largely to the cast’s “strong” acapella vocals, with only limited costume changes and “basic sets” required to fill out the show.
“A good musical transcends costumes and sets but when we can have more elaborate sets we do.”
Solomon said the four-strong American cast loved playing to Australian audiences, particilarly at regional gigs.
He hoped to mingle with patrons following the February 10 show at Geelong Performing Arts Centre’s The Playhouse.
“”Last time we played in Australia people at the smaller shows came up to us and thanked us for coming. We don’t often get that at the bigger shows, so we love it.”
Solomon recalled “jumping at the idea” when Chapman approached him more than four years ago to write the script for the show.
“It was so much fun to put together the scripts and the comedy and it’s fantastic to see it’s still going strong”.
Solomon believed the show’s The Four Seasons motown hits, including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Frankie Valli’s Grease, appealed to a wide audience.
“Everyone from little kids to grandparents love this music, which is what’s so great about the show.
“I love looking up and watching audiences mouthing the words and singing along.”
But Solomon joked the performance sometimes turned into a “Chippendale show” when he donned his John Travolta costume.
A “lady” once pinned him to the floor while he performed among the audience”.
“It took me a while but I finally managed to get myself free,” Solomon laughed.