Matt DeAngelis TALKS ‘Swept Away,’ ‘Waitress,’ & Saloon Sessions | JTWJE Special #15

It is a privilege to welcome actor Matt DeAngelis as a guest for a special edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Matt grew up on showtunes and Boston sports. Matt studied theatre at the University of Southern Maine and The Boston Conservatory before heading down Route 95 to NYC in 2004. In June 2009, Matt got the call to make his Broadway debut in the Tony-winning production of HAIR with Tony Award winner Diane Paulus at the helm. Matt continued with that production “Across the Atlantic Sea” to The West End in the role of “Woof” and then launched the first national US Tour of HAIR and was seen back on Broadway in the “Summer of Love” revival of HAIR.

Following his time with the hippies, Matt launched the 1st National tour of Green Day’s AMERICAN IDIOT as the “Representative from Jingletown”. Matt’s cross-country adventures continued in 2014 with the first national tour of ONCE, where he played “Svec” and five instruments. Over the last five years, Matt has been a veteran of almost 2,000 performances. Thankfully, Matt returned home to Broadway (again with Diane Paulus) in the hit musical WAITRESS, where he starred opposite Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller, two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, and seven-time Grammy nominee, and the show’s composer, Sara Bareilles. He then toured the country with the WAITRESS National Tour as Earl opposite his real life wife, Christine Dwyer, as Jenna. Upon returning from the road Matt was a part of developing the World Premiere of The Secret Life of Bees at The Atlantic Theatre Company, directed by TONY winner Sam Gold. He also appeared in Orpheus Descending at Theatre for a New Audience.

Matt DeAngelis made many performance appearances on television with these multiple shows, including Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Matt is also seen on Person of Interest, Madam Secretary, Marvel’s Daredevil, EVIL, For Life, Chicago PD, FBI, and Waitress starring Sara Bareilles. Matt lives with his beautiful wife, fellow performer (and Bostonian) Christine Dwyer, and their Boston Terrier “Chowdah". Matt and Christine also co-own THE WORKING STUDIO, a music theatre and acting studio dedicated to unlocking people’s potential and embracing individuality in the audition process. They have also launched a successful master class series, UPGRADE YOUR AUDITION, with other top industry professionals to demystify the auditioning and booking process.

Matt DeAngelis also started the Saloon Sessions. The once-a-month jam session features Matt and his cast members from Swept Away as they perform a combination of Broadway, folk music, and pop tunes. DeAngelis has brought together an impressive group of performers in honor of his mother and the countless others affected by the disease. The series serves as a celebration of his mother, Janice, who passed away in 2022 from metastatic breast cancer. Janice’s love of theater and music and raises money for the millions of people affected by breast and other types of cancer. The show also welcomes special guests. For their upcoming March 16 show, Tony-nominated actor Tony Yazbeck (On The Town), Emma Pittman (The Outsiders and Back to the Future), and Stephanie Torns (Waitress and Wicked) will join the festivities at Hurley’s Saloon in New York City. Proceeds from the show will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

On this special episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Matt DeAngelis spoke about performing in Hair, Swept Away, and Waitress. He also discussed starting the Saloon Sessions and how some of Broadway’s biggest stars rally around the residency.

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