Amid the stress, chaos, countless hours glued to our phones and other screens, comes The Apple Boys, a breath of springtime air at just the perfect time.
The upbeat original new show now playing through Sunday, May 25, at the Bucks County Playhouse gives audiences an opportunity to step back in time to Gilded Age Coney Island via this fast-paced musical comedy.
Jack Chapman III (Jelani Remy), grandson of Johnny Appleseed, rallies a colorful cast of characters—including the founder of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and the world’s strongest man—to save his family’s struggling apple orchard.
Featuring an inventive score with tight vocal harmonies, The Apple Boys is a boisterous show that will leave you cheering for the underdogs and celebrating the joys of friendship. This is 90 minutes of fun; an upbeat, happy, and harmonious frolic.
The Apple Boys features a book by Jonothon Lyons and a harmonious score by Ben Bonnema, in which four actors portray more than two dozen characters. It is produced by special arrangement with Johnnie Moore Hawkins and Jonothon Lyons. The playhouse production is directed by David Alpert and choreographed by Marc Kimelman, with music supervision by Rona Siddiqui.
The production stars Josh Breckenridge (Broadway’s Swept Away and The Heart of Rock and Roll), Emily Skeggs (Tony nominee for Fun Home), and Teddy Yudain, (Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway). DeShawn Travis Bowens (Fulton Theater’s Chicago) and Jelani Remy (Broadway’s Back to the Future and The Lion King).
New Jersey native Remy played Goldie Wilson/Marvin Berry on Broadway in Back to the Future, Simba in Broadway’s The Lion King, performed in High School Musical 1 and 2, and the Emcee in Cabaret. He is a rising star at the Papermill Playhouse and also won the Chita Rivera Award.
The following is an exclusive interview with Jelani Remy about the Bucks County Playhouse Production of The Apple Boys.
Your new show is extremely charming. I loved that it is funny and fresh. I think it is going to have a long shelf life.
Jelani Remy: I really appreciate that. We feel the same way. It’s something refreshing, it’s something creative, and it’s something that is just infectious. It’s extremely fun as an actor to be able to step into that world and make people laugh, but also, like the quick character work and then the fun musicality, it checks all the boxes. So, we’re really happy about it.
How soon did this journey start for you, for this particular show?
For me, the show started in 2019 at the Hero Arts Center production with an off, off, off-Broadway run of it. I auditioned just to stay in shape, as we often do, and ended up getting it. But I couldn’t take it in time, because at Smokey Joe’s Cafe that I was doing off Broadway, but then we were closing, so the opportunity worked out for me to do the show.
I just fell in love with The Apple Boys, and was lucky enough to continue on with the music labs and going to Ohio, to the International Barbershop Society Conference, just to get a firsthand look at true Barbershop technique and style and form, and just been with it ever since.
How different is it from if I’d have seen it in 2019 to what I saw Saturday night?
There were changes up to that day, you know? But the main thing is, with the core, heart, and the soul of it was always the same. That’s the beauty of the work. You always wanted to be better. We started working with Matt Gallagher, who’s the Barbershop arranger. He made our songs even better. So, it’s about the evolution of the of the work and the story and making it even truer to Barbershop harmony.
That’s not something I thought would exist.
Isn’t that incredible? We also went to this Barbershop Camp, to study this craft, because it is a craft. We learned how to blend, how to emote, how to follow each other, and how to listen to each other.
You’ve got five people in this cast, four actors and a pianist, how close did you get during all of this?
The chemistry is key in the show like this. So, in this process, we got to know, respect and adore each other and respect each other. We all have to be so locked into each other and anticipate each other’s move or just or be there to help each other out. We always start the show by saying, “got your back, got your back, got your back.” So, we’ve created a really tight family unit. I think that radiates to the show. I’m in awe of watching my fellow actors on stage, because they’re just so good and so funny.
Please take me through your history. What drew you to musical theater?
I first fell in love. Well, I’ve always been singing my whole life, you know, whether it’s singing with my mom while she’s cleaning the house and Motown enjoying her music, or Caribbean music, which was always in the house. Singing was a very prominent thing in our home, but musical theater got me a little later on in life with my choir teacher, who came to the first preview of The Apple Boys. She pushed me into doing my first musical, which was Grease, and I got bit by the bug then, and went on to do summer programs at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
Then I went on to college at Montclair State, and just kept running with it. After that I went on tour with a few shows, and then came to Broadway. I had the pleasure of seeing Little Abner at The Bucks County Playhouse, many years ago on an elementary school field trip in the early 2000s, and I remember how cool that was, and it’s come full circle now to have to have the opportunity to do a show at the playhouse. What a full circle moment.
What was your first Broadway show.
For my Broadway debut. I played Simba in The Lion King.
Oh, my God, I have seen it five times and loved every production.
It was so cool. Yeah, it was awesome. And then my first job ever was High School Musical. That was a national tour. I did High School Musical 2 after that, then jumped to The Lion King. And then after that was Smokey Joe’s, and then The Apple Boys. Then I did Ain’t Too Proud, the Temptations’ Musical, after the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and we came back to it. Then I did Cabaret over at Good Speed in Connecticut. And then I think I jumped into Back to the Future after that massive future was my last show and my first original Broadway credit.
Didn’t see that one. I missed it.
Oh, it was a blast. And fun fact; the other night we had people from Back to the Future at the show. So, it’s fun to create a little fan base and create a little buzz about things going on. People frequently come up to us after the show and in town to say how much they enjoyed the show, which is wonderful.
You play several characters, correct?
Yes, I play three characters; Jack, the elderly contest judge, and Nathan’s wife, Ida. Of course, you remember Ida; she is all of us. She’s fun, she’s rambunctious, she’s all of the Jersey moms I know, she’s a bit of all of us. I have had so much fun getting to play with and create her.
Ida Nathan’s wife. is an actual person who existed, but I think I’ve given her quite a boost in my performance, which is a lot of fun. She’s so smart, and as whimsical as I make her, she’s actually a brilliant mind, because she gives Nathan the idea of how to make his business much more profitable, right? I think the biggest laugh is when he talks about her being an avid knitter.
Another big laugh was that hot dogs will always be 10 cents.
Right. The other thing also I love about this show is, it’s just real New York nostalgia. It’s these real characters, maybe not even known of, but it’s something that I think is really informative. It’s funny, but it’s, there’s a truth behind the comedic satire, which I think is going to commit the longevity, because it could be in New York stable.
Well, and even if you’ve never been to Coney Island, which I haven’t, because I’m not from that area. Everybody’s heard of the Wonder Wheel, the Boardwalk, and other staples.
Definitely. So, Ida is very special and fun, but Jack is a grounded character. He’s honest, he’s focused, really driven, headstrong, and feels like he knows it all, but he doesn’t. He finds support, strength, and trust in his friends. I love him because he’s like the base.
When did you first meet the rest of the cast of The Apple Boys?
Well, there’s Emily and Josh, Deshawn, John, and Rachel. I’ve been working with Teddy the longest because he’s actually from the original. It’s just really wonderful to have a rehearsal period and a process with people that are kind funny, giving and supportive, and that just goes because of the staff, like the team, you know, the writers, the producers, even the Bucks County Playhouse staff like we all know what we’re here for; and that is to continue to spread joy to whoever comes across our arts. Everyone involved is a wonderful talent.
The Apple Boys. Photo By Joan Marcus.
What was the most challenging part of doing this show?
The most challenging thing is crafting each character to be different and so prominent, and then the switch out of it happens in a second. It literally happens with the change of a hat. You get into a completely different character. But the hardest part of the show is the competition medley, because we play the characters that we face in the Barbershop contest.
Have you ever been to Coney Island? Yes, I have what was the when, and what did you do there?
I went there first as a kid, because I’m from New Jersey. Another time I went with friends, and we rode the cyclone and all that. Another time I went with The Apple Boys. We got to sing some Barbershop out there. And yes, I did have a hot dog.
Yes, I had a taste for a hot dog after seeing the show,
Right either a hot dog or an apple, or maybe both, right?
What did you learn about Barbershop that you would never have thought of?
There is such a simplicity and complexity that makes sense. It’s different than musical theater singing, and it’s truly about the group. It’s really about the flow and finding your sound with your group.
You said that you went to the Playhouse in elementary school. But is this your first time you have lived in Bucks County’s New Hope?
Yes, it is my first time out here, and it’s refreshing. it’s eclectic, and there’s such a life here that’s really wonderful. There’s a life here. There’s an energy here that’s just infectious. And, there’s a peace here, to have your own Playhouse; it’s just wonderful.I’d also like to do a separate concert at a cabaret for the locals.
When the show closes, what’s next, or what do you want to be next?
In this business, you never really know, but I do believe in this show, and I’m happy that we have this chapter. So, after we close, I’m just going to be extremely proud, and I’m hoping it’s on to the next chapter of the show. The music is just so beautiful that it’s fun.
I felt like they could have added a couple more songs and put in an intermission. I get why they did what they did. but it goes by very quickly.
Well, maybe that’s an option. It could be an option for the future. I am sure there will be other versions.
Are you eating more apples?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away — right?
What are people saying when they come backstage to see you?
We meet people at the stage after the show, and discover that a lot of people sing Barbershop. I’ve had a gentleman come up to me to tell me how great this was, because he’s in a group, and used to be in a group, and knew a tag and sang, sang for me after the show. It’s inspiring people to sing. It’s also inspiring people to remember a niche time, a special time, and it’s really fun.
Also, it just brings back memories of a certain time that’s also universal. I get to see a very young child enjoy the show because of how funny it is, but then I get to see them, maybe with their grandparents, really enjoying the show because of the memory. They remember these places. They remember what we’re talking about.
Why do you encourage my readers to see The Apple Boys?
Because it is truly like an Olympics of talent. The way that we interweave our character work and also are singing and dancing. It’s just something you haven’t seen before, and it’s something that is that’s is rare to see on the stage.
What is your advice for my son and his friends who love drama club and musical theater, and might want to do this as a profession? What would you say to them?
If you stay ready, you never have to get ready. That means taking the classes, working on the craft, and working toward getting that yes. No doesn’t mean no. It means not right now. We are waiting for you.
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The Apple Boys runs through Sunday, May 25 and will play the following schedule: Tuesday through Friday evenings at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 1:30 pm.
Tickets may be purchased now via the Bucks County Playhouse box office by calling (215) 862-2121, or online at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org.
Tickets to The Apple Boys start at $39. Student rush tickets of $20 are available for all performances (based on availability).
The next production at the Bucks County Playhouse is the musical Leader of The Pack, playing from June 20 through July 20.
Before there was Beautiful, there was Leader of the Pack. Bop along to the songs you love in this Broadway musical celebrating the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ‘60s charts. Ellie’s rise to fame is told via a virtual hit parade of her music including Chapel of Love, Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, River Deep, Mountain High, And Then He Kissed Me, and, of course, the title song, Leader of the Pack.