“TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!” raves the New York Post for Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30!
Jersey Boys, winner of the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album and most recently, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, features catchy hits such as “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”,“Rag Doll”, “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, which brought the band all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Popspoken speaks to Jaco van Rensburg who plays singing sensation Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys.
Q: Which bands/singers/actors do you look up to?
A: I am a huge fan of The Puppini Sisters. They are a 3-voiced jazz style trio who sing ‘vintage-pop’. Their sound is a mixture of The Andrews Sisters-type harmonies, blended with a modern pop edge. Their repertoire includes songs from the 1940s such as Don’t sit under the Apple Tree and Mr Sandman, as well as modern songs, such as Beyonce’s Crazy in Love.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I am inspired by brilliance. In a world where there is so much mediocrity, I look up to artists who hone their craft until they are the absolute best in their field of expertise. Whether it be an incredible athlete, or a virtuoso pianist or a really clever financial investment!
Q: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
A: I don’t have a ritual, but I like to just take some time before every performance to remind myself of why I do what I do and what a privilege it is to be sharing it with an audience who will be experiencing the performance FOR THE FIRST TIME. Because us actors do 8 shows a week, it is really important to keep the show fresh and to experience it with the audience as if for the first time.
Q: How do you find Singapore thus far?
A: Singapore seems like a really wonderfully organized country. And it is so clean! I’m very impressed. Can’t wait to go shopping!!
Q: What are your thoughts of the theatre industry in the modern era? Any gripes?
A: With the coming of television a couple of decades ago, everyone thought that the theatre would not be around for long. And although theatre has always had it tough, it is unlike any other form of entertainment. It is live. It is immediate. It is right there, right now. It is the only form of entertainment where the performers and the audience can breathe the same air and is therefore so much more intimate. I love theatre and I think it will be around for decades to come! I hope that we can cultivate a growing interest in theatre and therefore create sustainable audiences.
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- Date: 20 Nov 2012 – 17 Feb 2013
Venue: Grand Theater (MBS)
Tickets are priced at $55, $85, $125, $165, $230
Where to purchase tickets:
www.BASEentertainmentasia.com or www.MarinaBaySands.com/Ticketing
By Phone: +65 6688 8826
Book In Person: Marina Bay Sands Box Offices (Museum, Theatres, SkyPark, Retail Mall and Hotel Tower 1 and 3 Lobby).
For more information please log onto –www.MarinaBaySands.com.
For VIP, Hotel and Dining Packages visit www.showbizasia.com. Corporate and Group Bookings are available via Showbiz. Email:corporate@showbizasia.com or call 6688 1029
