Four new faces in Eastwood’s ‘Jersey Boys’
IN assembling the main cast for Warner Bros.’ inspiring musical drama Jersey Boys, director Clint Eastwood wanted faces that would be new to moviegoers, and, in fact, the film marks the major feature debut of all four actors cast as the legendary group The Four Seasons at the center of the story.
“We weren’t looking for big stars; we were looking for the best actors for each part, and I think we got them,” the director stated. “They were all great.”
They are John Lloyd Young, Vincent Piazza, Michael Lomenda and Erich Bergen.
The big-screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, the film tells the story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic rock group The Four Seasons. The story of their trials and triumphs are accompanied by the songs that influenced a generation, inclu–ding “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn,” “Rag Doll,” “Bye Bye Baby,” “Who Loves You,” and many more.
Young says he was thrilled to have the opportunity to return to his breakthrough stage role as Frankie Valli, this time onscreen. “It was such a joy to play this character and explore more facets of him in a different arena. I love that Frankie believes in himself and fights the only way he knows how to get himself out there, because his success is in no way a foregone conclusion, considering where and how he’s starting out. He’s not perfect and faces some rough consequences in both his personal life and his career, but it was rewarding to play him warts and all.
“It’s the culmination of everything I’ve wanted to do as an actor, and to do it with Clint Eastwood directing was a dream come true,” Young continued. “He’s so interesting to work with. He offered very pointed direction, and yet he also gave us a lot of creative freedom, so the combination of our input as actors and his as a director went beautifully together. Even though I’d played Frankie so many times on stage, this experience felt fresh and new. I think that speaks to the timelessness of the story and, of course, the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.”
To be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide starting July 16, “Jersey Boys” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company. ALTERNATING with break out star Aicelle Santos for the lead role Aileen in Rak of Aegis is Kim Molina, Senior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World in the 2009 World Championships of the Performing Arts.
After joining many singing contests, Kim took a step towards theater and audi– tioned for what would be her first production, Atlantis’ Tarzan. Kim intimates that there were many tears and lessons learned as it was a difficult transition to go from singing contests to theater.
“Theater actors, different yong discipline nila, kahit sabihin mo na nagsisinging contests ako, iba pa rin talaga.”
Even so, she is excited to be joining the comedy musical as she is no stranger to popular Pinoy birit- band Aegis having sung their songs even when she was little.
“Siyempre nong bata kapag gusto kang bumirit ng tatay mo, kung hindi Regine, eh ‘di Aegis!”
After being discovered by Aicelle Santos in Ghost the Musical where she played Louise Oda Mae’s younger sister, Kim now joins the cast in what she says will be her first lead role in a major production.