Sixties Hits

Midtown Men to serenade Scranton next weekend
 
It’s hard to say good-bye to your theatre family when a long run comes to an end. In a rare move, the stars of Jersey Boys decided to stick together after bonding over more than 1,000 performances on Broadway. The first vocal group to form out of the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show, The Midtown Men (www.themidtownmen.com) formed when Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencer decided the show did not have to end.
 
Expanding on the Jersey Boys soundtrack of hits by The Four Seasons, the quartet has added popular songs by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Jackson Five, The Mamas and The Papas to its repertoire. After shaking off a legal attack by Jersey Boys creators at their first stab at independence, The Boys in Concert, the quartet released an album as The Midtown Men titled Sixties Hits in August 2011 and launched a 77-city U.S. tour this past August. Album tracks include “Happy Together,” California, Dreamin’,” “Time of the Season,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Sherry,” and other favorites.
 
They’ll perform at the Scranton Cultural Center as part of the Broadway Theatre League’s 2012-13 season next weekend with shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. A second Sunday show is offered at 6 p.m.
 
“We grew up listening to Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey, so the influence of soul and pop give a unique flavor to these classics. By infusing our contemporary perspective and unique sound into the stories and melodies, it creates a musical celebration of both the classic and contemporary,” the group offered collectively in an interview with the Houston Symphony last year.
 
Tickets range from $39 to $59 and can be purchased from Broadway Scranton at 342-7784 or visit www.broadwayscranton.com.