Currently, Lewis Kennedy is portraying Nick Massi in the 20th Anniversary Tour of Jersey Boys, telling the story and performing music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons alongside Luke Baker (Frankie Valli), Ellis Kirk (Alternate Frankie Valli), Carlo Boumouglbay (Tommy DeVito) and Toby Miles (Bob Gaudio). Jersey Boys is open at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 11th July, before heading to Bradford Alhambra from Monday 20th July to Saturday 1st August, continuing across the UK and Ireland, with dates throughout 2026 and 2027. Lewis trained at Mountview, and has previously played Peter in the UK premiere of the two-hander play Grey Area at King’s Head Theatre. Answering our questions, Lewis chatted to us about being part of the 20th Anniversary Tour of Jersey Boys, performing as Nick Massi and what he’s enjoying about being part of the musical.
You are currently performing as Nick Massi in the 20th Anniversary Tour of Jersey Boys; what is it like performing the music of The Four Seasons, and telling Nick and the group’s story?
Performing the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons genuinely feels like a bit of a bucket list moment for me. I grew up listening to their music because my grandma always had one of their CDs playing in the car, so those songs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. To now be performing them every night as part of the 20th Anniversary Tour of Jersey Boys feels quite surreal, and it’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.
The rest of The Four Seasons are portrayed by Luke Baker (Frankie Valli), Ellis Kirk (Alternate Frankie Valli), Carlo Boumouglbay (Tommy DeVito) and Toby Miles (Bob Gaudio); what is it like being in the cast with them and have you worked with any of them previously?
I hadn’t had the privilege of working with any of the boys before Jersey Boys, but I’m really grateful that we’re all getting to work together now. The industry is quite a small world, so you often know of people before you actually meet them. I’d seen Toby play Marius in Les Misérables, and I’d also seen Luke in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in London, so it’s been brilliant to finally share the stage with them.
I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a talented group of actors and performers who genuinely love what they do. That’s so important with a show like Jersey Boys because the relationship between the four of us has to feel authentic. We spend so much time together on and off stage, so having a great rapport and trusting one another really helps us tell the story of The Four Seasons as truthfully and honestly as possible.
What is it like getting into character as Nick Massi, and how was it reading the Jersey Boys script for the first time?
Getting the Jersey Boys script for the first time was a really special and quite emotional moment for me. I’d been auditioning for the show on and off for around six years, and although I was lucky enough to get to the final stages a few times, it just wasn’t the right time. So, to finally book the role and be handed the script in the rehearsal room felt like a full-circle moment.
I first saw Jersey Boys when I was 14 at the Sunderland Empire, and I remember leaving the theatre thinking, “I’d love to be in that show one day”. To go from being that teenager to now playing Nick Massi in the 20th Anniversary Tour is something I’ll never take for granted. Being able to put my own stamp on a role I’ve admired for so long is a real privilege.
As for getting into character, Nick is incredibly meticulous and understated. He’s neat, organised and quietly observant, so I find that the little details really help me. Before I go on stage, I make sure everything is exactly where it should be: my tie is perfectly straight, my collar is sitting properly and my cuffs are aligned, because those small rituals help me step into Nick’s mindset. He’s very much the quiet presence in the group, someone who watches and takes everything in before speaking, so I also like to take a few moments before each performance to gather my thoughts and settle into that calm, observant energy.
How do you typically prepare for a tour and is there anything you find most challenging about touring with a theatre show?
Preparing for a tour is mostly about being organised. It starts with making sure you’ve packed for every possible season (pardon the pun), because you never quite know what the British weather is going to do. It’s also really important to look after yourself, whether that’s eating well, staying hydrated, getting enough rest, or keeping your voice and body in good shape so you’re ready to perform eight shows a week.
The most challenging part of touring is probably being away from the people you love. We’re incredibly lucky to do what we do and to travel the country performing for audiences every night, but it does mean making sacrifices. My boyfriend is also a touring actor, so our schedules don’t always line up, and while I can sometimes bring my dog, Ozzy, with me, that’s not always possible either. Missing friends, family and loved ones is definitely the hardest part, but it also makes you appreciate the time you do get to spend together when you’re home.
How was it originating the role of Peter in the UK premiere of Grey Area at King’s Head Theatre?
Originating the role of Peter in the UK premiere of Grey Area was a really rewarding experience. Being part of a two-handed play is quite unique because there’s nowhere to hide as an actor – you rely completely on one another, and that creates a real sense of trust and collaboration. It’s also incredibly exciting to help bring a new piece of writing to life for the very first time.
What made the project particularly meaningful to me was the opportunity to tell an honest and authentic LGBTQ+ story on stage. The play explored real relationships, real struggles, and conversations that don’t always get the space they deserve in theatre. As a gay actor myself, it felt especially important to be part of telling those stories. It was a privilege to help bring them to audiences and, hopefully, create moments that people could connect with, relate to, and see themselves reflected in.
Where does your love of performing come from, and how did you get into it?
My love of performing really started at Windy Nook Primary School. When I was quite young, I had a fairly severe stutter, so I wasn’t the most confident child and never imagined performing would become something I’d do for a living. I remember taking part in a small school play alongside my best friend, and one of my teachers, Miss Greaves, really believed in me and encouraged me to give it a go. That support meant a great deal at a time when I probably didn’t have much confidence in myself.
A little later, our school put on a pantomime and I decided to audition. I got the part and still remember the feeling of walking on stage and thinking, “This is really fun”. It was probably the first time I felt completely at home in front of an audience.
At that point, I had no idea that acting could even be a career. Nobody in my family worked in the industry, so it wasn’t something I’d ever considered as a realistic job. Looking back now, it’s amazing to think that a school pantomime sparked something that has led me to where I am today. I’m incredibly grateful to teachers like Miss Greaves, who saw something in me before I saw it in myself.
How was your time training at Mountview, and what originally encouraged you to attend?
I trained in Musical Theatre at Mountview for three years after joining at 18, and it was a hugely valuable experience. Once I’d realised that performing could actually be a career, I spent a lot of time researching different drama schools. Every school has its own strengths and the types of performers it aims to develop, and Mountview really felt like the right fit for me and the kind of work I wanted to do. I was the last year to graduate from the original building in Wood Green, which feels really special.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to keep myself busy when I’m not performing. Alongside acting, I run my own painting and decorating business, Perken Paints & Interiors, which has grown into one of London’s most recommended decorating companies. It’s something I really enjoy because it gives me a creative outlet away from the stage.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me out on a long walk with my dog, Ozzy. It’s a great way to switch off, explore wherever we’re touring, and recharge before the next show.
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