The Midtown Men return to State
From the development of Broadway’s ”Jersey Boys,” through the show’s three-season run on Broadway, The Midtown Men are together again for their concert, “Sixties Hits With A Modern Twist,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18, State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton.
The Midtown Men reunites Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer from the original Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys.”
“There is something about the show that people know instantly and that wonderful Baby Boomer era is still around. They want that good feeling. We need the 60s’ message even more so now than we did then,” says Spencer in a phone interview.
The accomplished entertainers are said to be the first to form a vocal group from a Broadway show.
“We were four hard-working, blue-collar men who set out on an entrepreneur level to see if people would want to see us.
“The fact of the matter is that when we started the Midtown Men we didn’t think we would be together seven years later with over 600 shows under our belt.
“We’ve performed at Christmas time on the White House lawn with other acts, at a private party where we opened up for Bruno Mars, and in China on the Great Wall.
“We got here because of 1960s’ rock and roll music and have done a lot of high-profile concerts. We are constantly pinching ourselves over all we have accomplished,” Spencer says.
The Midtown Men has released an album, “The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits,” which includes the songs, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Up On The Roof,” “Time Of The Season,” “Candy Girl” and more.
The group recorded its first single, “All Alone on Christmas,” with producer Steven Van Zandt and members of Springsteen’s E Street Band and has appeared on the TV shows, “Good Morning America,” “The Chew” and “Access Hollywood Live.”
The Midtown Men last performed at the State Theatre in January 2013. The upcoming concert is the group’s third show at the State.
”Camaraderie and true-life stories of individuals like us brought it all together because these stories are inspiring. All four of us have had a really rocky American Dream that was fulfilled from the start of ‘Jersey Boys’ to The Midtown Men,” says Spencer.
“The word that pops into my head is enjoyment. People are expecting one thing and they leave experiencing something completely out of the blue.
“They expect us to sing some songs, and we do, but it’s the way we do it. I’ve spent my life being an entertainer. It’s all I know and all of that was preparing me for this moment in my life.
“We are all living this life, doing it from our vision. When people walk away after those 90 minutes they forget about everything going on in this world and I see it. It feels good that you can take that away from someone for a little while so they can smile.
“I can say as a businessman proudly to the consumer who purchases tickets that you will get your money’s worth and then some.”
Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132