A big part of the "fun" for me when I produce shows is being able to work with the acts that I love. At 59 years of age and a classic rocker from the '70s, I have a deep appreciation for those musical acts that paved the way for today's entertainers. One of those groups that I grew up really enjoying was one that nobody realized just how popular they actually were until a musical about their ups and downs became one of the biggest shows in history.

The group was "The Four Seasons" and the show was "Jersey Boys." Producing Italian festivals since the mid-'80s has allowed me to work with some of my early favorites from Dion and The Belmonts to Nancy Sinatra, Julius LaRosa to Keely Smith, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge to Bobby Rydell. One such festival was Chicago's Festa Italiana on the pre-renovated, practically condemned at the time, Navy Pier.