The Dunedin singer has just been named as the lead for a musical production of Jersey Boys, which tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Valli was the frontman of the popular 1960s group and was known for his unusually powerful lead falsetto voice.
Mr Beal is tasked with re-creating that vocal authenticity — a role he is full of "intimidated excitement" about.
"It’s a big role. I’ll need some tight undies," he joked.
"They call them ‘dance belts’ in the industry.
"Frankie had a sound unlike anyone else of his generation, so to re-create it is going to be a challenge, but one I’m looking forward to.
"It’s not a register of my voice that I get to use often.
"But it’s going to be fun, particularly with the way the Four Seasons harmony works, singing in with each other."
Mr Beal has been busy on Dunedin stages in recent years. He was seen earlier this year in Rock Tenors as well as the 2021 season of Les Miserables and as Mickey in Blood Brothers, a role that earned him an Otago Southland Theatre Award for best male lead in a musical.
He will be joined by fellow Dunedin-based cast members Greg MacLeod (playing Four Seasons band leader Tommy Devito), Ben Thomas (as composer and band member Bob Gaudio) and Justin Wilson (as vocal arranger and band member Nick Massi), along with a 13-person company.
Doug Kamo Creative Management director Doug Kamo said the show was globally renowned as one of the finest scripts written for a jukebox musical.
"It takes a biographical look at the rise, the tough times and personal clashes of the Four Seasons, and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation."
It features the group’s hits, including Beggin’, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What a Night, Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Bye Bye Baby, and Big Girls Don’t Cry.
The show will be directed and choreographed by Stephen Robertson and will be accompanied by a 10-piece live band directed by Stuart Walker.
It opens on May 4, 2023 at the Dunedin Regent Theatre.
