JERSEY BOY Jonathan Hadley Finds His Roots in Charlotte

Jonathan Hadley was just about to jump into his swimming pool in Fort Myers, Florida when we spoke about his upcoming performance in Charlotte, as Bob Crewe in “Jersey Boys.”

Hadley was a Charlotte boy. He attended Myers Park Elementary, Middle and High School. He said he was in every Charlotte theatre production his parents did that needed a child. His father, Dr. Charles Hadley and his stepmother, Jane Hadley put on many performances at Queens University of Charlotte, as professors there. His mother, Lynn Collins was a librarian at Olympic High School and an actress in many Charlotte theatre productions. 

He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, and was bound for New York. Almost immediately he landed “Into the Woods“ with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. “It seemed so easy. I get to New York and I am in a Sondheim production.” Hadley continued, “And then it ended, and I was pounding the pavement to get another acting job.” He appeared in soaps, television and other productions until his persistence paid off with “Jersey Boys.” Hadley has performed on tour for four years. He was also in the Broadway production. This is the second time the show has played in Charlotte.

For months, there has been anticipation and excitement about “Jersey Boys” coming back to Charlotte. Hadley is having a high school reunion with Charlotte friends who are going to see him in the show.  He said, “That’s what’s so fun about touring. I get to see friends and family in the many towns I perform in.”

Hadley was a delight to interview and I had the opportunity to see his creative wit on stage in his role as Bob Crewe, the producer and lyricist for the Four Seasons. “The best ears in the business,” Hadley explained, in referring to his character. “Many call Crewe the Fifth Season.” I asked Hadley how he prepared for the role of Crewe, and when he knew he understood the character’s core. He reflected, “I first felt it in the audition process, and over the years, my understanding of Crewe keeps getting stronger.” Although, Hadley never met Crewe in person, he emails Crewe every year on his birthday.

Hadley studied old pictures of Crewe to help prepare for the role. Crewe is bisexual, but he never wanted to be depicted onstage as too flamboyant. Hadley feels Crewe would be approving of his performance. I asked him how he keeps the role fresh after four years. “Well, within the parameters of structure, I discover something new about the character and I try to surprise myself and the other actors every night,” he replied.  I could see while watching him onstage, Hadley truly enjoys playing the role of Bob Crewe.

The production, directed by Des McAnuff was visually stimulating with screens of a silhouetted Jersey and ‘50s style comic strip characters. There are so many songs in the show; I won’t even venture to count. Some included “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man," "December 1963 (Oh What a Night),” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Dawn (Go Away)” and “Rag Doll.” Other songs included “Earth Angel,” “(Who wears) Short Shorts” and “My Boyfriend’s Back.” The music is so good it dares you to get out of your seat and start dancing. I asked Hadley when he first remembered the music of the Four Seasons. He thought for a moment before he spoke, “It’s always been there for me, as far back as I can remember.” These songs are woven in the fabric of our memories. And the Four Seasons are pop music icons.

All of the actors were great in their vocal performances and in their portrayal of the Four Seasons, Preston Truman Boyd who plays Bob Gaudio, Michael Lomenda who plays Nick Massi, John Gardiner who plays Tommy DeVito and Joseph Leo Bwarie, who plays Frankie Valli. The falsetto voice of Bwarie was incredible. My favorite song written by Crewe and Gaudio was “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” Bwarie sang it with a pure crystal clarity, pushed from his soul.

The script, written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice shows the real story of success for four men. Nothing comes easy.  In a very poignant scene, as Valli learns of his daughter’s death, he quotes his mother in Italian and then explains in English, “This too shall pass. It cuts both ways. The bad passes, but so does the good.”

The script gave the real look into their lives, and it had heart, but the script could have dug deeper…. The dialog just touched on some important moments. If I didn’t know the back story, I might have not understood the severity under the subtlety, as when Valli and Gaudio promised to divide their salary evenly no matter what, with just a “handshake.” I would have liked to see a scene later in time, when one of them was low on funds and the check of the 50/50 split came through. I also, would have liked to see more detail on how DeVito dealt with his emotions when he used a loan shark’s money to further financial demands of the band. It was touched on briefly in a scene with Crewe, who asked and received money from his father to produce a song. The play alluded to DeVito gambling money away. Was it just gambling, or was the gambling a way of trying to further the Four Seasons’ career? Maybe they (the writers) thought the music was the driving force, but I think they could have had both with a few more scenes.

I wrapped up the interview with Hadley and asked what will the audience take away? “A bunch of themes.” He continued, “Friendship, the ups and downs of life, family,... family is everything, persistence and crazy success.” And he was right.

If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss it! “Jersey Boys” is a great show!

Tickets are still available. Show runs through March 11, 2012 at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 North Tryon Street, Charlotte.