Nyoy sings Frankie Valli

Although I am sure he misses the acoustic gigs that he used to do, I am also sure that Nyoy Volante is happy about the variety of things that he is doing right now. At ABS-CBN television alone, he is in three shows all currently on the air. These are Tawag ng Tanghalan, I Love OPM and Born For You. He is also in theater, where he has lately become one of the most popular actors. He previously played lead in In The Heights and Rock of Ages, plus other roles. Now he gets to do the Frankie Valli part in the Manila version of the musical Jersey Boys.

The show will be an excellent showcase for Nyoy’s vocals. I know there are plenty of good singers around who can certainly do justice to the music of the Four Seasons. But if you want to approximate in the closest possible way, the gorgeous falsetto of lead singer Frankie Valli, then I do not think there is any choice but Nyoy. Sure he is very good at doing those acoustic tunes but he is also so much more and it is great that audiences are now discovering his many sides.

With words and music written by Bob Caudio and Bob Crewe, Jersey Boys tells the story of the famous ’60s group The Four Seasons from New Jersey, led by Frankie of the most distinctive falsetto. Winner of both the Tony and the Olivier awards for Best Musical, it is also one of the longest running shows on Broadway. Featured are some of the songs that the Four Seasons and Frankie as a soloist popularized like Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sherry, Dec. 1963 (Oh What A Night), My Eyes Adored You, Stay, Working My Way Back To You, Rag Doll, Walk Like A Man and others.

Directed by Bobby Garcia, Jersey Boys will run all weekends of Sept. 23 to Oct. 16 at the Meralco Theater at Ortigas Avenue. That is still a long way off, but this early I am already thinking of how Nyoy will do the show’s most beautiful song, Fallen Angel. Playing the parts of the other Seasons are Christian Bautista as Bob Gaudio, Markki Stroem as Tommy DeVito and Nino Alejandro as Nick Massi.

Incidentally, before Jersey Boys happens, there is something up in Nyoy’s music recording side. He performs one of the song entries in the competition Philpop 2016. This is Sintunado, a light inspirational composed by Jeroel Maranan, this year’s youngest and very promising finalist. Catch Nyoy perform the song live during the finals night that will be held at the Kia Theater in Araneta Center at 8 p.m. on July 23. You can give Filipino music a boost if you stream the song or download a copy online. For a fee of course.

Better yet. Buy the CD. Sintunado is included in the Philpop 2016 commemorative album together with the other entries. Tinatanggi performed by Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios featuring the Benjamins; Binibini Sa MRT by The Juans; Kahon by Ramiru Mataro; Pabili Po by Banda Ni Kleggy and Aikee Aplacador; Dumadagundong by Yassi Pressman; Friday Night by Kenjohns; Lahat by Jason Dy; Nobody But You by Monica Cuenco; Di Na Muli by The Itchyworms; Baliw Sa Ex-Boyfriend Ko by Sugar & Spice feat. Joan Da; and Stars Are Aligned by Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez.

One more incidentally or let us say, by the way. It is back to the theater for this great piece of news. Rachelle Ann Go has won West End Frame’s 2016 Best Performance of a Song Award for her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream in the musical Les Miserables, where she plays the role of Fantine. As I am sure everybody who watched her in Les Miz in its Manila run, will attest, she is most deserving. This is Rachelle Ann’s second West End Frame award. She came in second in 2014’s Best West End Debut contest for her performance of the song Movie On My Mind as Gigi in Miss Saigon.

Now check out who came in second to Rachelle Ann for the Best Performance of a Song Award. Matt Corner for the song Can’t Take My Eyes Off You from the musical Jersey Boys.