Jersey Boys

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Jersey Boys
The August Wilson Theatre showing Jersey Boys
Music	Bob Gaudio
Lyrics	Bob Crewe
Book	Marshall Brickman Rick Elice
Productions	2005 Broadway 2006 U.S. Tour 2007 Chicago 2007 Las Vegas 2008 West End 2009 Melbourne
Awards	Tony Award for Best Musical

Jersey Boys is a documentary-style musical based on the lives of one of the most successful '60s rock 'n roll groups, the Four Seasons. Jersey Boys won four 2006 Tony Awards, Best Musical, Best Actor (John Lloyd Young), Best Featured Actor (Christian Hoff), and Best Lighting Design (Howell Binkley).

Contents 1 Productions 2 Cast 3 Musical numbers 4 Awards and nominations 5 Notes 6 External links

[edit] Productions

The musical opened on Broadway on November 6, 2005 at the August Wilson Theatre starring John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli, Christian Hoff as Tommy DeVito, Daniel Reichard as Bob Gaudio, and J. Robert Spencer as Nick Massi.^[1] Directed by Des McAnuff, artistic director at La Jolla Playhouse, the musical uses many of the group's hit songs to tell the turbulent story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' rise to fame. Part concert, part Jukebox musical, Jersey Boys took in over $400,000 at the box office the day after it opened. Jersey Boys premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse on October 5, 2004 and ran through January 16, 2005^[2]

The first national Jersey Boys tour began on December 10, 2006 at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco. On May 3, 2007, that tour's run ended in San Francisco to prepare for its Los Angeles premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre. The next day, the second national tour debuted at the Curran and ended its run on September 30, 2007, before transferring for a long run at Chicago's LaSalle Bank Theatre through 2008. The second tour started in Chicago on October 5, 2007 with Chicagoan Michael Ingersoll in the role of Nick Massi.^[3] The national tour was promoted prominently by Broadway In Chicago and TheatreDreams who included it as part of their subscription series.^[4] The Chicago showing brought Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio to Chicago for opening night and was promoted prominently, including a December 9, 2007 puck dropping at a Chicago Blackhawks game.^[5] Meanwhile the original US Tour continues to make its way across the country.

A special holiday return engagement production played at the Curran from November 20 - December 30, 2007, starring Rick Faugno as Frankie Valli, Andrew Rannells as Bob Gaudio, Bryan McElroy as Tommy DeVito and Jeff Leibow as Nick Massi. The majority of this cast became the original Las Vegas cast, which will debuted at The Palazzo Hotel on Saturday, May 3.^[6] McElroy will assume the role of Tommy DeVito in the Chicago production in March.^[7], switching places with Jeremy Kushnier from the Chicago cast. Erich Bergen, from the first national tour, switched with Andrew Rannells.^[8]

Demand for a second national tour was not anticipated at first.^[4]

The musical made its West End debut at London's Prince Edward Theatre in February 2008. The creative team were the same that brought the production to Broadway. Principal cast were Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli, Stephen Ashfield as Bob Gaudio, Glenn Carter as Tommy DeVito and Philip Bulcock as Nick Massi. ^[9] Charles Spencer from The Daily Telegraph said, "Overpaid, over-sexed and over here, it will, I suspect be some time before London says Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) to the PHENOMENAL Jersey Boys."^[10] Benedict Nightingale from The Times said, “Oh What a Night. There were times when I felt that the performers were making even the Beatles sound somewhat lacking in musical texture.” ^[11] Quentin Letts from The Daily Mail said, “I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a big thumper of a show with fantastic songs.”^[12]

The Las Vegas production of the show opened to critical acclaim on Sunday, May 3 at The Palazzo Hotel in the newly built Jersey Boys Theatre. Mike Weatherford from the Las Vegas Review Journal said, “Grade A. A crackling musical staging.”^[13] Richard Ouzounian from the Toronto Star said, “The Las Vegas premiere of Jersey Boys at the elegant new Palazzo Hotel is a cheering, stomping, hats-in-the-air triumph. This show is a winner.”^[14]

It was announced on Australia Day, 26 January 2008, that the Australian Production would open at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, in March 2009^[15].

The San Francisco/Chicago (2nd Nat'l Tour/Zephyr) cast appeared on stage in the 2007 Emmy Awards in a tribute to HBO's The Sopranos.

An original cast recording was made by Rhino Entertainment Jersey Boys: Original Broadway Cast Recording. In February 2008, the album was certified Gold, having sold more than 500,000 copies in the US.

[edit] Cast

Current Broadway Cast

• Frankie Valli -- Michael Longoria
• Frankie Valli alternate -- Cory Grant
• Tommy DeVito -- Christian Hoff
• Bob Gaudio -- Sebastian Arcelus
• Nick Massi -- J. Robert Spencer
• Bob Crewe -- Peter Gregus
• Joe Pesci -- Travis Cloer

Original Broadway Cast

• Frankie Valli -- John Lloyd Young
• Tommy DeVito -- Christian Hoff
• Bob Gaudio -- Daniel Reichard
• Nick Massi -- J. Robert Spencer
• Bob Crewe -- Peter Gregus
• Joe Pesci -- Michael Longoria

National Tour Cast (Sherry Cast)

• Frankie Valli -- Christopher Kale Jones
• Frankie Valli alternate -- Zachary Prince
• Bob Gaudio -- Andrew Rannells
• Tommy DeVito -- Erik Bates
• Nick Massi -- Steve Gouveia
• Bob Crewe -- Jonathan Hadley
• Joey and others / Frankie Valli understudy -- Courter Simmons

Chicago Cast (2nd Nat'l Tour/Zephyr Cast)

• Frankie Valli -- Jarrod Spector
• Frankie Valli alternate -- John Michael Dias
• Bob Gaudio -- Drew Gehling
• Tommy DeVito -- Bryan McElroy
• Nick Massi -- Michael Ingersoll
• Bob Crewe -- Craig Laurie
• Joey and others / Frankie Valli understudy -- Steven M. Goldsmith

Las Vegas Cast

• Frankie Valli -- Rick Faugno
• Frankie Valli alternate -- Joseph Leo Bwarie
• Bob Gaudio -- Erich Bergen
• Tommy DeVito -- Jeremy Kushnier
• Nick Massi -- Jeff Leibow
• Bob Crewe -- John Altieri
• Joey and others / Frankie Valli understudy -- Jonathan Gerard Rodriguez

[edit] Musical numbers

Act I Ces Soirées-La (Oh What a Night)-Paris, 2000 - French Rap Star and Backup Group Silhouettes - Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Nick DeVito and Frankie Castelluccio You're the Apple of My Eye - Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Nick DeVito I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Frankie Castelluccio Earth Angel - Tommy DeVito and Full Company Sunday Kind of Love - Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Nick's Date My Mother's Eyes - Frankie Valli I Go Ape - The Four Lovers (Who Wears) Short Shorts - The Royal Teens I'm in the Mood for Love/Moody's Mood for Love - Frankie Valli Cry for Me - Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi An Angel Cried - Hal Miller and The Rays I Still Care - Miss Frankie Nolan and The Romans Trance - Billy Dixon and The Topix Sherry - The Four Seasons Big Girls Don't Cry - The Four Seasons Walk Like a Man - The Four Seasons December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - Bob Gaudio and Full Company My Boyfriend's Back - The Angels My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli, Mary Delgado and The Four Seasons Dawn (Go Away) - The Four Seasons Walk Like a Man (reprise) - Full Company

Act II Big Man in Town - The Four Seasons Beggin' - The Four Seasons Stay - Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli and Nick Massi Let's Hang On! (To What We've Got) - Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me) - Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli and The New Seasons Bye Bye Baby - Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons C'mon Marianne - Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli Working My Way Back to You - Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Fallen Angel - Frankie Valli Rag Doll - The Four Seasons Who Loves You - The Four Seasons and Full Company

[edit] Awards and nominations

Tony Award

• Best Musical (WINNER)
• Best Book of a Musical - Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman (nominees)
• Best Actor in a Musical - John Lloyd Young (WINNER)
• Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Christian Hoff (WINNER)
• Best Direction of a Musical - Des McAnuff (nominee)
• Best Orchestrations - Steve Orich (nominee)
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Klara Zieglerova (nominee)
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Howell Binkley (WINNER)

Theatre World Award

• Theatre World Award-- John Lloyd Young (WINNER)

Drama Desk Award

• Outstanding Musical (nominee)
• Outstanding Book of a Musical (nominee)
• Outstanding Actor in a Musical-- John Lloyd Young (WINNER)
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
  • Christian Hoff (nominee)
  • Daniel Reichard (nominee)
• Outstanding Choreography (nominee)
• Outstanding Director of a Musical (nominee)
• Outstanding Sound Design (WINNER)

Outer Critics Circle Award

• Outstanding Musical (WINNER)
• Outstanding Actor in a Musical-- John Lloyd Young (WINNER)
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical--Christian Hoff (nominee)
• Outstanding Choreography (nominee)
• Outstanding Director of a Musical (nominee)
• Outstanding Lighting Design (WINNER)

Drama League Award

• Distinguished Production of a Musical (WINNER)
• Performer of the Year
  • Christian Hoff (nominee)
  • John Lloyd Young (nominee)

Grammy Award

• Best Show Album (WINNER)

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Official Jersey Boys Website
• Official Tour Website
• Official London Website
• Jersey Boys Blog is updated daily and includes exclusive interviews, news updates, photos, polls and a forum
• Jersey Boys at the Internet Broadway Database
• The Jersey Boys Podcast has audio news updates, interviews, and music samples

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