Good vibrations abound for 2007 Springboro High School grad Jonathan Walker White, who can be seen as keyboardist Frankie in the Las Vegas premiere of “Surf the Musical,” a new jukebox musical centered on the timeless songs of the Beach Boys.

Mirroring elements of the iconic hitmakers in its simple story of friends and bandmates in Southern California, the 90-minute spectacle, directed by Tony nominee Kristin Hanggi (“Rock of Ages”) and housed at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, is White’s first big break following his move to New York City last spring. The 2011 musical theater alum of Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music was originally sought to play a sexier character, but a humorous mishap prompted the artistic team to look in another direction.

“At my audition I was asked to read for the show’s bad guy and sing ‘Come Go With Me’ while seducing the choreographer, but I was so nervous I fumbled the lyrics and tripped the choreographer,” said White, 23. “It was a very comical situation so I was asked to audition for the nerdy character. I put on some fake glasses, read the script and a month later I got the part.”

He isn’t playing a lothario, but White is perfectly content as the Buddy Holly-adoring Frankie, a fun, laid-back guy who reflects his own experience.

“Baldwin-Wallace offers a bachelor’s of music degree rather than a bachelor’s of fine arts so my training was very music-oriented,” he said. “I learned how to play the piano and compose, which allowed me to get into Frankie’s mind-set since his background is composition. And instead of just being a music nerd, Frankie is also intellectual. His role in the show is to support the band and keep them together.”

Born in Perrysburg but raised in Springboro, White, the son of David and Susan White of Springboro, didn’t seriously consider a career in the performing arts until high school. Although his older sisters performed in musicals and loved singing, he was a self-described “shy jock” who refused to sing in public, specifically preferring the grind of the football field. In fact, when he played defensive end, his starting tight end was Super Bowl champion Jake Ballard, recently drafted by the New England Patriots. But after encouragement from Springboro High School Fine Arts Department Chairwoman Beth Jamison, who particularly cast him as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” in the eighth grade, White found his calling, which grew on a larger scale when he joined the Muse Machine, appearing as Gaston in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” and Jimmy Smith in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

“Muse Machine really made me believe I could be a part of the industry rather than just being a performer for fun,” he said. “I can’t stress enough the importance and influence of arts programs like the Muse Machine and being in high school musicals in general. It set me on a path that forever changed my life. The Muse Machine in particular was such a special time for all of us associated to grow as people and learn from each other. It’s such a blessing to have Muse Machine as a part of the Dayton community.”

In addition to performing locally with La Comedia Dinner Theatre (“Footloose”), White’s credits include stints with Lakewood’s Beck Center for the Arts (“Grey Gardens”) and Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, Ill., (“The Wedding Singer,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Funny Girl”). “My advice to aspiring musical theater performers is to start as early as you can,” he said assessing his path. “There’s so much you can be involved in like community theater and Muse Machine that will help shape you as a person. I’m grateful for where I am, but I wish I could go back a decade earlier than I started.”

“Surf” is rumored for Broadway and the West End depending on its response in Las Vegas. The show, which also features Adrian Zmed (“Grease 2”) and Lauren Zakrin (“Legally Blonde”), begins an open-ended run July 17.

How to buy: Tickets for “Surf the Musical” can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.