Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, JERSEY BOYS Is A Groundbreaking Jukebox Musical, 2006

Jukebox musicals weren't exactly the most respected genre on Broadway when Jersey Boys opened in October of 2005. Sure, they were popular - especially a smash called MAMMA MIA! - but the difficulty of taking pre-existing songs and fitting them into a new plot created more than one show that was dramatically lacking.

Bookwriters Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman changed that with their Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons bio-musical Jersey Boys, by using hit songs realistically - showing them being written, recorded and performed - in a way that pushed the story forward without traditional musical theatre song-integration.

Not only is Jersey Boys still running on Broadway, but its influence can be seen in newer bio-musicals like BEAUTIFUL and ON YOUR FEET!

The book was so strong that all four leading men - John Lloyd Young, Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer and Daniel Reichard - had meaty acting roles to work with, with Young and Hoff earning Tonys for their efforts, and the show winning Best Musical.