BEHIND THE SCENES: JERSEY BOYS Hit Birmingham!

The New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham, part of the Ambassador Theatre Group, certainly know how to organise a press launch! The UK touring cast of Jersey Boys gave the multitude of journalists, group bookers and specially invited guests a musical feast at the wonderful Jam House venue in the idyllic St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter. The funky launch location was buzzing and impeccably organised by the theatre's Press Officer and her team - so well thought-out, in fact, that they even had a portable box office set up in order to catch excited punters on their way out!

Jersey Boys will be playing in Birmingham between the 9th December 2014 and the 4th January 2015 and is eagerly anticipated in the West Midlands. According to producer David Ian, the show is already 62% sold for the run making him a "happy producer!" He remarks that this show is his "personal favourite musical of all time" which is a big statement coming from a gentleman who has worked on so many huge productions.

A short film is shown highlighting the massive success that the show has had over the last nine years since it opened on Broadway; winning 55 major awards worldwide including a 2005 Tony and 2009 Olivier Award for Best Musical AND a Hollywood feature film directed by Clint Eastwood. Ian himself stated that he saw the show during its previews and literally begged the American producers to let him be involved and bring it to the UK. He feels that its success is greatly down to the immediate connection it has with its audience due to the strength of its book, music and lyrics. The film that was released earlier this year did not do quite as well as initially thought - and it's tempting to agree with Ian when he describes it as "not a patch" on the musical.

The audience are treated to two performances by the Jersey Boys themselves, here performed flawlessly by Tim Driesen (Frankie Valli), Stephen Webb (Tommy DeVito), Lewis Griffiths (Nick Massi) and Telford-born actor Sam Ferriday (Bob Gaudio). All four are incredibly slick and synchronised; as they should be. Tim Driesen is a very striking Valli with his chisel jaw, radiant charisma and wonderfully powerful falsetto vocals. Webb, on the other end of the vocal scale, possesses a deep and silky tone which sounds fabulous, particularly during 'Oh What A Night'. There was a real mixture of people in attendance and of all ages; this shows the universal appeal it has and each performance is met by rapturous applause.

David Ian, between performances, answered a few audience questions including how the tour differs from the West End production. Ian assures everyone that there is no difference between the productions at all. He has worked with the original creative team to make the show adaptable for the various touring venues whilst keeping the same standard and is snugly packed into eight 40 foot articulated lorries when it is in transit!

Birmingham has been teased today by the short excerpt of the production and I'm no doubt that I speak for a lot of people when I say...ROLL ON CHRISTMAS!

For more information about the tour or to book tickets, please visit www.jerseyboysuktour.com.

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