The four principal roles of Jersey Boys
have been cast. The upcoming Broadway musical is based around the songs
of the Four Seasons, and will open at the Virginia Theatre on Sunday,
November 6th after beginning previews on Monday, October 3rd.
Christian Hoff (The Who's Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar national tour) will play Tommy DeVito, Daniel Reichard (Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Celebration, Radiant Baby at the Public Theatre) has been cast as Bob Gaudio, J. Robert
Spencer (Side Show, Lucky Duck at the Old Globe) will portray Nick Massi and John Lloyd Young (The Drawer Boy at Paper Mill Playhouse) will appear as Frankie Valli. With the exception of Young (who replaces David Noroña), all are holdovers from the La Jolla production.Additional casting for the show has yet to be announced.
Directed by Des McAnuff (The Who's Tommy, Big River),Jersey Boys
was a smash hit at the La Jolla Playhouse in LA last year. The show
"chronicles the lives of a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong
side
of the tracks who became one of the biggest American pop music
sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own
sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were
thirty. Jersey Boysfeatures their hit songs 'Sherry,' 'Big Girls Don't
Cry,' 'Rag Doll,' 'Oh What a Night' and 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You,' among
others," according to production notes.
The
show will also feature a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, as
well as songs with music by Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. Dodger
Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella will produce
the musical on Broadway, and Klara Zieglerova (sets), Jess Goldstein
(costumes),
Howell Binkley (lighting), Michael Clark (projections) will comprise
the design team.
Jersey Boys debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse, running October 5, 2004
through January 16, 2005, with an opening night on October 17, 2004. The show
was the most successful production in the history of the company,
extending three times.