By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
A Note from Jacob: Since my conversation with Matt, the 2026 Janice Jam at Sony Hall is OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT!
I am thrilled to welcome back my friend, actor Matt DeAngelis, to Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar for an exclusive conversation!
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,” 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 first 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 Award winner Sam Gold. He also appeared in Orpheus Descending at Theatre for a New Audience.
Matt DeAngelis also started the Janice Jam in memory of his mother, Janice, who passed from metastatic breast cancer in 2022. This annual event channels the magic of Broadway to honor those we’ve lost, uplift those fighting, and fund critical research. This event serves as a yearly celebration of Janice, her love for theater, and raising money for those affected by metastatic breast cancer.
An all-star group of performers is joining Matt and his wife, Christine Dwyer, this year. Ari Axelrod, Ashley Loren, Carrie St. Louis, Cassadee Pope, Derek Klena, Donald Webber Jr., Eric Michael Krop, Justin Matthew Sargent, Kara Lindsay, Laurie Hernandez, and Norm Lewis are all expected to participate in the show.
On this exclusive edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Matt DeAngelis spoke about how Janice Jam partnered with Masquerade and previewed the sold-out event.
For more information about the Janice Jam, visit their website!
You can connect with Matt DeAngelis on Instagram!
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