Spotlight on the Artist: Performer Eric Elefson

What made you want to audition for Jersey Boys?

I’ve only been to New York City once and on that trip we wanted to see as much theatre as possible. I certainly knew who the Four Seasons were, but Jersey Boys wasn’t a “must-see” on our list, it just happened to be the easiest show to catch on our first night in the city. I was blown away. I had forgotten just how many of their songs are great hits! But what really made Jersey Boys resonate with me is the relationships between the original Four Seasons. And of those four, I was instantly drawn to the charisma, self-assuredness, and determination of Tommy DeVito. I knew that if I ever had the chance to audition for that role, I would make every effort to get cast.

Why do you think the story of the Four Seasons resonates with so many people?

Ultimately, the Four Seasons are underdogs. They come from a state that is often the butt of jokes and overshadowed by its neighbor. The area was heavily industrial, blue collar, and struggled with crime and corruption. At its face, not a place where stars are born. Despite all this, these four talented musicians gravitated to each other and defied the odds to become one of America’s biggest sensations. We see ourselves in the challenges they face to maintain their values of family, loyalty, and persistence as they pursue their larger-than-life dreams.

How do you connect with your character’s emotional journey throughout the show? Are there any particular scenes or moments that resonate with you personally?

I have more in common with Tommy than I’d like to admit. I believe anyone who longs to get up on stage and hear the crowd roaring for you has to have a bit of an ego. But alongside that ego is an honest passion for his art and musicianship. And I deeply identify with that. My favorite scene is definitely the climax of the show. Without giving anything away, this is where Tommy is shown love and forgiveness that he probably doesn’t deserve from his found family. There is so much my family does for me that I do not deserve. Being shown that love and selflessness gets me every time.

When did you start performing, and what inspired you to pursue it?

I did a couple of school plays that were part of the curriculum. Notable among those was a unit I did in 7th grade on ancient Greek theatre and I performed as Orestes in Electra by Sophocles. As a nerdy, quiet, awkward kid, this marks the first time I found confidence among my peers and really thrived. But it wasn’t until I attended technical college where I didn’t have an opportunity to do theatre that I discovered how much I actually missed it and needed it in my life. It was this longing that guided me to pursue a BA in theatre after graduating from tech school. Also instrumental in my desire to perform was growing up in a musical family and encouragement from my mother to audition for those early plays.

What do you hope audiences take away from Jersey Boys?

Of course, I hope you all leave with this incredible music dancing through your head. Perhaps for some of you, revitalized memories of the days when these songs were first released. But above all, I hope you’re inspired to lose yourself in your passion once in a while. Music, art, Legos, whatever it is, I hope you take time to do it and share it with those you love.