Oh, What a Night! Tony-Hit Jersey Boys Closes Studio Tenn 15th Season
Theater company's original managing director Jake Speck comes full circle directing the show he once performed on Broadway
Amy Stumpfl | Apr 28, 2025
With its inspiring story and iconic music, it’s hard to imagine a better show to close out Studio Tenn’s “Rockin’ Retro” season than Jersey Boys. And who better to direct that show than Studio Tenn’s original managing director Jake Speck, who spent more than three years performing in Jersey Boys on Broadway.
“It definitely feels like a full-circle moment,” says Speck, who was with the Broadway company of Jersey Boys from 2008-2010, and currently serves as the artistic director at Christ Presbyterian Academy. “Honestly, to direct Jersey Boys anywhere would feel pretty full circle. It’s a show that means so much to me on a personal level. It’s where I spent almost three and a half years of my life. But then to direct it with Studio Tenn – the theater that I helped start – it’s somewhat surreal, but very exciting.”
Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Jersey Boys follows the the rags-to-riches true story of the 1960s band Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Showcasing irresistible tunes like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Who Loves You,” “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” and more, the Broadway production ran from 2005-2017, earning four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
