By Shelbi LeMeilleur
Bryan College Station has seen a wealth of talent come through thanks in part to MSC OPAS. This December, a crowd-favorite returns for the first time since opening the 2012-13 OPAS season. The Midtown Men will perform a one-night-only Holiday Hits show on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30pm.
The Midtown Men is comprised of the four original stars from Broadway’s smash hit Jersey Boys — Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, Daniel Reichard, and Michael Longoria.
“While we were doing [Jersey Boys], we were getting numerous calls from time to time from people who wanted us to perform at their party, conference, or fundraiser,” explains Spencer. Unfortunately, they were unable to perform anything by Frankie Vallie because of their contract. Instead, they performed the likes of The Monkees, Rascals, Zombies, and Motown. “Once Jersey Boys was over, we knew that we had a very, very good connection, honest connection with that era.”
Since forming, The Midtown Men have successfully toured across the country, delighting audiences with the greatest rock and roll hits of the 1960s. The Holiday Hits show is no exception!
“I love the holiday season and I love the songs we get to do during the holiday season,” explains Spencer. “Everyone is in a good mood that time of year. It’s great to go anywhere in the U.S. and celebrate Christmas! We are excited to be returning with the same love and attention, with an extra added dose of Christmas holiday cheer.”
The songs The Midtown Men perform vary from young and old, but audiences can expect the iconic 1960s styling. Interspersed between songs, the group will tell stories sure to get the audience in the holiday spirit!
When trying to decide which songs to perform, Spencer says they take turns picking their favorites, choosing songs to highlight their own individual voices, the group as a whole, and audience expectations. The group will also perform their single All Alone on Christmas, which they recorded with Stevie Van Zandt and members of Bruce Springsteen’s The E Street Band.
“Michael wants to sing his favorite — All I Want for Christmas,” says Spencer. “Daniel’s is Winter Wonderland, Christian’s is The Grinch, and mine is Let It Snow.”
Additionally, Spencer says he is excited to release his own Christmas single this year, Waiting on Christmas. He compares it to a Harry Connick, Jr. or Michael Buble jazzy rendition. “It is everything that I wanted,” he says. “Sleigh bells — it’s got bells — it’s got that great horn arrangement jazzy thing. Totally evokes Christmas.” For more information on Spencer’s song, visit www.jrobertspencer.com.
Tickets are on sale now for The Midtown Men: Holiday Hits through the MSC Box Office or online at www.MSCOPAS.org. Tickets range from $22 to $60.
“It’s a wonderful time to get away, be with your loved ones, and get away from what’s going on in the world,” says Spencer. “We take our audiences away to a better place, a better world, a better experience.”
