When Coby Oram was first cast as Frankie Valli in the musical “Jersey Boys” he admitted he knew very little about the musical icon. Now, five years later, he’s a virtual encyclopedia on the pop legend, and he can’t wait to share his story each time he takes the stage.
Which he will do next week at Bass Hall as the show comes to Fort Worth as part of its 20th anniversary tour as part of Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass Series presented by PNC Bank. Performances begin Tuesday, Nov. 3 and run through Sunday, Nov. 8.
The musical tells the story of how the Four Seasons came to be. It also delves into the behind-the-scenes tales of mob connections, deep-seeded resentment, secret financial bailouts and an intense clash of egos.
“I didn’t know anything about Frankie Valli, but this team is so thorough, and I did quite a bit of my own research,” Coby, 28, said. “My parents listened to him a little bit.”
Coby actually landed the role after his identical twin brother, Chris, saw the show and heaped praise on it.
“I said, you think I can play this role?” Coby recalled. “He said, ‘No, I think you’re more Tommy DeVito (one of the founding members of the Four Seasons).’ I took that as a challenge.”
Ironically, Chris also ended up playing the role.
“We’ve gotten each other more work than we have competed against each other,” Coby said. “In Kansas City we split the role 50/50, each of us did four shows a week. We also did it on the cruise ship.”
That’s where Coby’s connection to the show began. He was cast as a swing (learning multiple roles) in the production on the Norwegian Bliss, which led to where he is today.
“Doing this role feels like you’re living a lifetime on stage,” he said. “I gain a new perspective every single time I do the show.”
Coby noted that while the music is how most people know Valli and the band, the story behind the music is what makes “Jersey Boys” special and powerful.
“The story is what keeps me here. I’ve sung the songs countless, but it’s the story I want to keep telling,” he said. “Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (the writers of the musical), their writing is so incredible. It just locks you in.”
However, the songs are timeless, he added, as was Valli’s career. At age 92 the legend recently disputed rumors that he is retiring.
And when it seemed his career was fading following a plethora of hits in the 1960s, he and the Four Seasons hit No. 1 with “December 1963” in 1975. As a solo artist, he reached No. 1 with “My Eyes Adored You” in 1974 and “Grease” in 1978.
“One of the things that sets Frankie apart is he established a new sound and then he just kept coming back,” Coby said. “That’s something I want to do, to deliver my art for generations.
“While the younger audience might need a little convincing to come to the shows, they leave saying, ‘These guys were bangers.’”
Coby is also making his first trip to Texas, he said. He will return in 2027 as the show wraps up this run in August in Houston.
“I’m excited about performing in Bass Hall. I’ve heard so many great things about it and Fort Worth,” he said. “I love seeing the different cities on tour, but I also get to see the great theaters in these cities.”
He has not, however, met Valli. “Not yet, but I’m hoping to,” he said. “Oh man, that would be amazing. I’d love for him to see me playing him. “I’m going to keep doing this as long as they’ll have me.”
‘Jersey Boys’ At Bass Performance Hall 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth
Nov. 3-8 Tickets are available through the only official outlets – online at www.basshall.com/jerseyboys or by calling 817-212-4280. The Performing Arts Fort Worth box office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For group sales discounts visit www.basshall.com/groups.