Sheridan graduate, Michael Lomenda stars in the highly anticipated film version of the Broadway musical, Jersey Boys, which opens in North American theatres on June 20. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film is based on the story of 1960s singing group The Four Seasons.
Lomenda reprises the role of Nick Massi, which he played in the Toronto production and the first national company of Jersey Boys that toured across North America for over six years. Cast in the movie not long before shooting began in late summer 2013, Lomenda stressed about “becoming an Eastwood-worthy film actor in less than a month.”
“He (Clint Eastwood) was always in the mix, still very much a kid at 83, with a killer sense of humour,” stated Lomenda.
But he couldn’t have been in better hands, Lomenda says. “As a director, Mr. Eastwood was everything that an actor needed to reach their potential. He was respectful, concise, patient and trusting.” Not to mention fun. “He was always in the mix, still very much a kid at 83, with a killer sense of humour.”
It was all pretty heady stuff for Lomenda, who hails from the small town of Stettler, Alberta. But his rural roots are never far from his mind. “I'm most successful when my work unabashedly reflects who I am,” he says.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility to represent a Prairie voice and to have an opportunity to do that on such a large scale is something I could never have imagined. I'm so very grateful for it all.”
Lomenda graduated from Sheridan’s prestigious Music Theatre Performance program in 2001. Graduates of the program are highly sought after in the industry for their cultivated skills, sophisticated professionalism, and consummate practical performance experience. Upon graduation, over 80% of graduates typically find immediate representation by major agents and/or contractual employment, frequently in major Toronto, West End and Broadway productions, as well as feature films and television.
