Jersey Boys is the smash musical that tells the story of pop star Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons singing group. The show originated at La Jolla Playhouse in 2004 and was directed by former artistic director Des McAnuff. We had a chance to talk with actor Deven May, who plays Tommy DeVito. May won fame in “Bat Boy” in Los Angeles, New York and London, won a Theater World Award and was nominated for Lucile Lortel and Drama Desk awards.
La Jolla Village News: Let’s hear a little about you, where you went to school, and how you got into show business.
Devin May: I grew up in Vista. I got into acting because I couldn’t afford to rent a trombone! I played trombone for seven years as a kid. I got into acting at the age of 12 and knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

LJVN: What did you do to reach that goal?
DM: I took theater in school. We couldn’t afford to rent or buy a trombone for me, so my parents told me to find something else to do. So, I did!

LJVN: Did you start out in musicals or straight plays?
DM: I had been singing as a kid in Whittier, not only in church but in choral groups. I played trombone in the band. I did shows at my church. It was after we moved to Vista that I seriously got into it. I saw my brother in a production of “Dark of the Moon” when I was 9, and it blew my mind. He played a fat old man, and it was like magic to me. I turned to my mother and said, “I want to do this!” The seeds were already planted.

LJVN: What was the first musical show you did?
DM: It was the old Carol Burnett show, “Once Upon a Mattress.” The first show I did at the Moonlight Amphitheater was “Tom Sawyer.” It was a great experience. Kathy Braumbacher was my high school drama teacher, and she’s the one who prepared all of us who stayed with the theater. She’s our mother in the arts.

LJVN: So, Ms. Braumbacher recognized that you had special talent?
DM: I would say she recognized it, and she did everything in her power to help me foster it and grow in this business. I’ve never had a better role model. Her work ethic, her dedication and her virtue showed us that it was a way to do more than just make money. It was all about effecting a change in people’s lives.

LJVN: What did director Des McAnuff tell you about “Jersey Boys”?
DM: Des gave us the mantle of creator right away. He said that it “was not a cookie-cutter production of what we did in La Jolla or what we did in New York. We’re looking to create something new. We’re looking to improve upon what we did before. You always have to keep looking forward.” And we did so. All the creative teams made a lot of strides, and we have new people coming in who give new ideas to the characters. Nothing can take away from those four boys who originated the show. But we have a new take on the show.

LJVN: It’s a big leap from Vista to a big Broadway touring show.
DM: It has been a 23-year leap! I did a big show in Las Vegas. I originated “Bat Boy” in Los Angeles and developed the character with the author of the musical who wrote “Legally Blonde.” “Bat Boy” bumped up my profile and brought me to New York. I vowed I would never go anywhere unless I had a job lined up. In today’s economy, show business is not the only thing that’s shaky!

LJVN: What exactly do you like about the theater?
DM: I like the danger, I like the challenge. The only constant in life that I know of is change. The plans you make in life usually change. I find the best thing I’ve been able to do is make a good decision with what I know.

LJVN: What would you like our readers to know about the show?
DM: I would like them to know that this show in an experience of following your dreams and heart’s desires to get what you want.

LJVN: What have you done in La Jolla for fun?
DM: I got my scuba-diving certification at La Jolla Shores. I’m an avid swimmer and I love to surf in La Jolla all the time. I love to go Jet Skiing in La Jolla. But most of all I like to look at the girls!
“Jersey Boys” plays at the Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., from Oct. 19 through Nov. 11. For tickets and information, call (619) 570-1100 or visit www.broadwaysd.com.