The critically acclaimed Broadway musical, Jersey Boys, is coming to the Benedum Center this week. Not your average show, Jersey Boys, is a more mature musical that highlights the intrepid quests of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi as they make their way from New Jersey paupers to eventual Rock and Roll Hall of Famers as The Four Seasons. 

“It is a testament to their contribution to music and themselves as musicians. How many of their songs have lasted two generations at this point? That shows alone -that they alone -did incredible things,” said Matt Dailey, 26, one of the lead actors in this week’s upcoming show in a phone interview Saturday. “It was sad [because] a lot of the time they were overshadowed by other groups like The Beatles, but their contribution to music was quite profound.”  

The musical influence and appeal between generations – Dailey mentioned – can be noticed right here at Point Park.

Associate Professor at the School of Communication Robin Cecala expressed an interest in seeing this upcoming week’s show.

“It is something I’d go see with my parents because that was their generation of music – it would be fun,” Cecala said in an interview Monday.

Sophomore Brandi Ogrodowski acknowledges the same multi-generational attraction with the Four Seasons as Cecala.

“My mother went to go see it [Jersey Boys] because she enjoyed the music – she loved it,” Ogrodowski said in an interview Monday.

Dailey will be reprising the role of Tommy DeVito , the man who founded the Four Seasons and describes his character to be determined and committed.

“He knows what he wants and he isn’t afraid to go after that. He held the group together for ten years before Sherry actually hit,” Dailey said. “It was their first big hit. So, there was ten years of these guys in various forms performing where he was the driving force.” 

Dailey admits that this has been one of the toughest shows he’s been a part of thus far in his career.

“It is a massive show with no room for error. As soon as it starts it is like being shot out of a cannon,” Dailey said.

The musical demanded Dailey learn how to play the guitar for his role as the go-getter DeVito, something one of the band members helped him master. The show consists of over 50 cast and crew (16 of which are on-stage actors/actresses) that have been on tour for nearly nine months now performing in over 20 cities to date. This will be the tour’s first appearance in Pittsburgh. 

The show migrates through four chapters. Each chapter displays the development and personal story of each of the band’s four members– the first of which is Dailey’s, DeVito. After the opening number the opening chapter begins with DeVito’s narrative and contributions to the band. However, the best number in the musical according to Dailey, is ‘Begging,’ a very climatic and powerful scene in the second set especially for DeVito’s character. 

Dailey has worked in a number of shows including an international tour of “Saturday Night Fever” – The Musical, where he performed daily on a cruise ship throughout Europe. He is a Denver, Co native, who started performing at the tender age of nine and talked a little about his experience in the business. 

“Hard craft, but something you’re always striving to be better at,” Dailey said.

Dailey has also performed in a number of other shows such as, “Cats” (as Rum Tum Tugger), “Seven Brides…Brothers” (as Daneil/Frank) and “Viva Vegas” (as Elvis). 

Dailey offered up some advice for young aspiring actors.

“Persistence. Persistence. Persistence. It’s amazing (living in New York) you can go to six, seven auditions a week and never hear anything. But all it takes is that one ‘yes.’ It is a career where you deal with a whole lot of rejection,” Dailey said. “You have to learn how not to take it personally or be too hard on yourself. Be yourself. Be honest, you don’t’ have to push. The words on the page are good just say the words on the page.”

He will be in town with his fellow cast members rocking on stage at the Benedum Center from Sept. 22 to Oct. 4. For ticket information call (412) 456-4800 or visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website as trustarts.org.