July 13, 2013
Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Jersey Boys current ‘Franki Valli,’ John Lloyd Young, will play his final performance on 28 Jul 2013. The producers of Jersey Boys announced July 11 that Dominic Scaglione Jr. and Joseph Leo Bwarie will alternate in the role of Frankie Valli in the Broadway company at the August Wilson Theatre beginning July 30.
A veteran of the Broadway company, Scaglione currently plays the role at Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances, and has also performed the role in the Chicago and Las Vegas productions. Bwarie, who will be making his Broadway debut, played ‘Frankie Valli’ across the country in the musical’s first national tour.
Scaglione will play ‘Frankie Valli’ six times a week, while Bwarie will perform the role at the Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances.
The cast of Jersey Boys also includes Matt Bogart (Nick Massi), Drew Gehling (Bob Gaudio) and Andy Karl (Tommy DeVito) with Peter Gregus and Mark Lotito, Miles Aubrey, Erik Bates, Candi Boyd, Jared Bradshaw, Ken Dow, Russell Fischer, Renée Marino, Rashad Naylor, Katie O’Toole, Joe Payne, Jessica Rush, Nathan Scherich, Sara Schmidt and Taylor Sternberg.
Jersey Boys is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, direction by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
The Broadway production opened Nov. 6, 2005 and continuously playing at the August Wilson Theatre. Jersey Boys Broadway Tickets currently booking through to 05 Jan 2014.
May 31, 2012
Jarrod Spector (@jarrodspector) Tweeted on 27 May about his schedule in Jersey Boys Broadway:
Ok #JerseyBoys folks! Officially: I’m in the show until 6/3, back again 6/12-7/1, and back again on 10/1, all on my normal show schedule.
May 23, 2012
Nick Cosgrove playing as one of the Jersey Boys, two performances each week at the Bank of America Theatre through June 3, 2012. Cosgrove in the role of Frankie Valli, he performs on Tuesday nights and at Wednesday matinees in the current national tour of the Jersey Boys in Chica.
Nick Cosgrove in Jersey Boys at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre
The 24-year-old actor, with a four-octave vocal range, talked with suntimes.com about playing to the hometown crowd.
Q: How did you decide that a life in theater was the road you wanted to take?
A: I sang before I could talk, and I didn’t talk until I was 3. But then I started watching “Sesame Street” and my mom got me these Disney DVDs and suddenly I was singing all over the house. Then I started singing in church at Our Lady of Ransom in Niles and cantoring when I was in second grade. I was so short I couldn’t even reach the podium. But I liked singing in front of people. The first time I officially performed in a play was at Maine South when they were having auditions at my grammar school for third-graders [to play the kids] for “The Will Rogers Follies.” I played the youngest one, Freddie Rogers. That led to a talent show at my grammar school where I dressed up in a pinstriped suit and sang Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”
Q: So Sinatra’s music was a big part of your childhood?
A: I grew up hearing Sinatra. My mom loved him. My Grandpa Cosgrove would listen to Sinatra and then hear me sing and he would call me The Voice. We’d listen to “Mob Hits,” Tony Bennett. I was listening to oldies and Etta James.
Q: You portray Frankie Valli twice a week. How similar is your voice to his, which is just so distinctive — and high?
A: (Laughs.) Growing up I was a boy soprano. Then my voice changed, but it’s always been a very high tenor voice. I was trained classically as a singer and it’s been such a huge help with my vocals. In college I started singing more pop and getting my voice the kind of training that really helps in this show, but I wasn’t necessarily working on a falsetto. That was just ingrained in my voice since I was a kid, so it just comes naturally.
Q: Was it hard for you to be the guy with the soprano voice in high school?
A: (Laughs.) Actually, it was cool because I had so many different interests. I was president of student council, taught dance class, was a Phys Ed counselor. So in some ways I kinda made it cool to do theater and sing and be in musicals and be a physical education champ. I got picked on by some jocks, but then I actually beat them out for a Phys Ed award.
Q: Were you a fan of the Four Seasons before you joined this show?
A: I knew a lot of Frankie’s music growing up, like “Can’t Take My Eyes off of You” and all the covers of that, especially Lauryn Hill’s version. But I love what they call “the big three”: “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” It’s just a dream role to sing 27 songs in two and a half hours. “Jersey Boys” is why I went into musical theater. I saw the play in Chicago when I was in high school and from that day I said that’s what I want to do with my life. So in a way, Frankie Valli is like my Mama Rose (from the musical “Gypsy”).
Q: You and other “Jersey Boys” castmates got to sing
the National Anthem at
Wrigley Field in April. What was that like, and why is that song so hard for singers to perform?
A: That was just beyond awesome. I grew up a Cubs fan, so it was just a dream come true. I do love the Sox, too. I just don’t know why people have so much trouble with the song. I got to sing it as part of a group so it was cool. Singing it solo? Maybe they’re just nervous because it’s the words that throws them. There’s really nothing to the melody that’s difficult.
Q: What are some of your favorite haunts in Chicago?
A: I’m gonna definitely go to the Shedd Aquarium because that jellyfish exhibit is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I love Navy Pier so I’ll be going there. And hopefully catch some theater, if I have time.
Read the complete interview {Via Suntimes.com}
Jersey Boys will play at Bank of America Theatre through June 03, 2012. Get $10 OFF on Jersey Boys Chicago IL Ticket Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout!
August 12, 2011
Rick Faugno Jersey Boys Vegas
Hero Rick Faugno, who originated in the “Frankie Valli” role, will be ending his run on Sunday, October 9, 2011.
In an interview, Rick said about his decision to leave Jersey Boys after five years – “Being in a role of this magnitude shaped me as a performer, Playing the Frankie Valli role was an amazing training ground for the next phase of my life.”
Rick will be focusing on his new weekly showcase, “Body and Soul,” at the Las Vegas Hilton’s Shimmer Cabaret each Monday night at 8:30 PM.
Buy Jersey Boys Las Vegas NV Tickets Online. Use Code AFF$10 to Get $10 OFF on Jersey Boys Palazzo Theatre Venetian Ticket Orders over $350!
March 16, 2011
Pop Singer Jon Lee joins the West End Production of Jersey Boys from 15 March 2011, playing the role of ‘Frankie Valli’ at certain performances. He joins the award winning Ryan Molloy who continues in the role of Frankie Valli for a fourth year. Jon Lee, one of the original members of platinum-selling pop group S Club 7, also starred as ‘Marius’ in the West End production of “Les Misérables“.
Jon Lee said, “I’m so excited to be playing the role of ‘Frankie Valli’ in Jersey Boys, it’s been a goal of mine since the show opened. Ryan is exceptional in the show and I feel lucky to be working with him and truly blessed to be performing some of The Four Seasons biggest hits. I can’t wait!”
Matthew Wycliffe will also join the cast as Bob Gaudio, Wayne Smith as Bob Crewe, Rachael Wooding as Mary Delgado, Carl Au as Joe Pesci, Lauren Hall as Francine, Jo Servi as Barry Belson, Chris Gardner as Hank Majewski, and Jake Samuels as Norm Waxman. Trina Hill and Tom Oakley also join the cast. Jon Boydon will continue to star as Tommy DeVito, Eugene McCoy as Nick Massi, Mark Carroll as Donnie/Knuckles, Charlie Bull as Lorraine, and Stuart Milligan as Gyp DeCarlo. Also in the cast are Lucinda Gill, Michael Conway, Mark Isherwood, Ben Wheeler, and Paul Iveson.
The London production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. Jersey Boys is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, in association with Latitude Link and Rick Steiner, and a small group of UK colleagues.
Jersey Boys is currently Touring in Miami, FL till March 20, 2011 and then it moves to Tampa, FL for the performances in David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) from March 23 to April 17, 2011.
Tickets are on Sale Online for Jersey Boys Ziff Opera House At The Adrienne Arsht Center perofrmances. Get $10 OFF on Jersey Boys Tampa FL Ticket Orders over $350! Use Code AFF$10.
February 25, 2011
Jon Lee starring as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys London
Jon Lee begins his starring role as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys next month Alternating with Ryan Molloy. Jon starred in four television series, a film and won two Brit awards and Record of The Year as part of the band, with record sales spanning over 13 million!
Here is the preview of the marvelous interview with Jon Lee by Jody Vodden.
Q. I bet it’s pretty hectic – how does it compare to the other roles you have played?
A. This role is for a year and because I am alternating with Ryan Molloy it means it doesn’t take up all of my time. I have the time to perform at the Savoy twice a month as well. When I was in Les Mis I was doing eight shows a week and it took up all of my time. Right now I have the best of both worlds, but I am still doing what I love.
Q. As your Jersey Boys debut draws closer how are you feeling?
A. My first night is the 18th March, which isn’t too far away now! It has come around so quick – I found out I had landed the part in November and now its February and I still have so much to do! I’m just fortunate enough to get the chance, I feel it is the best West End show of the time; it may not be my era but I was surprised at just how many songs I knew.
Q. Is it daunting to have the lead role as Frankie?
A. It is going to be great. I think I am kind of getting used to the idea now, but it never gets any easier, my nerves never go.
Q. What about Frankie as a character? As the Jersey Boys were known for being on the wrong side of the tracks until their rise to stardom as one of the most successful bands in pop music, how did you get a feel for the role?
A. Our backgrounds are so different, but I went to New York and got a real feel for it. People forget that the Jersey Boys are real people, Frankie is still performing today – all he really cares about is performing. He is an intense, dark character, and so driven. But this is, I guess, to his detriment in the show as everything in his life comes second to his career.
Q. You’re alternating the role with award-winning Ryan Molloy, how does that work out?
A. We work out a schedule every eight weeks and it changes all the time, sometimes I do more shows a week and then sometimes he does. I’m absolutely made-up with how things are going so far – I’m looking forward to getting started.
{Via BWW Interviews}
Get $10 OFF on Jersey Boys Prince Edward Theatre Ticket Orders over $350! Use Code AFF$10
January 13, 2011
The lights of Broadway are shining on former Chandler-Gilbert Community College student and Gilbert native Ryan Jesse. Jesse, 25, recently made his Broadway debut in the role of Bob Gaudio in “Jersey Boys,” the award-winning musical.
Ryan Jesse says he feels blessed to be performing on Broadway only three years after completing his musical theater degree from the University of Northern Colorado. “It’s great and it’s amazing to be where I never thought possible,” Jesse said. “To be at a place in my life where my childhood dreams are realized is incredible, and it’s an honor to get to do this every night.”
Jesse’s love for the stage was further ignited when he first set foot in the local junior high school’s drama classroom, which was filled with props and set pieces.
“I thought to myself, ‘There can’t be anything in the world more exciting and fun than this. If there’s any possible way people would pay you to do this, why would anybody want to do anything else?’ ”
Jesse’s parents, CGCC dance Professor Sally Jesse and theater Professor Gordon Jesse, are thrilled with their son’s success but say they keep him grounded by reminding him of the capriciousness of the business and encouraging him to continue working on his craft.
Jesse is taking the advice of his parents and cast mates to heart.
“Many of my fellow cast members tell me that you only do this once in your life, so take your time and enjoy it. I keep reminding myself of that,” Jesse said. “And with a show that’s as good as this, you know people are going to like it, so you just need to do your job and have fun. That’s what I’m doing, and I’m having a great, great time.”
Jersey Boys opened on Broadway to critical acclaim in November 2005, is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks who became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.
Buy Jersey Boys Broadway Tickets Online.
December 8, 2010
Jon Lee, one of the original members of pop group S Club 7, joins the West End Production of Jersey Boys from 15 March 2011, playing the role of ‘Frankie Valli’ at certain performances. He joins Ryan Molloy who continues in the role of ‘Frankie Valli’ for a fourth year.
Jon Lee joins the West End Production of Jersey Boys from 15 March 2011
Jon Lee’s West End credits include ‘Marius’ in ‘Les Misérables’.
Jon Lee said, “I’m so excited to be playing the role of ‘Frankie Valli’ in Jersey Boys, it’s been a goal of mine since the show opened. Ryan is exceptional in the show and I feel lucky to be working with him and truly blessed to be performing some of The Four Seasons biggest hits. I can’t wait!”
Matthew Wycliffe will also join the cast as ‘Bob Gaudio,’ Wayne Smith as ‘Bob Crewe,’ Rachael Wooding as ‘Mary Delgado,’ Carl Au as ‘Joe Pesci,’ Lauren Hall as ‘Francine,’ Jo Servi as ‘Barry Belson,’ Chris Gardner as ‘Hank Majewski’ and Jake Samuels as ‘Norm Waxman.’ Trina Hill and Tom Oakley also join the cast. Jon Boydon will continue to star as ‘Tommy DeVito,’ Eugene McCoy as ‘Nick Massi,’ Mark Carroll as ‘Donnie/Knuckles,’ Charlie Bull as ‘Lorraine’ and Stuart Milligan as ‘Gyp DeCarlo.’ Also in the cast are Lucinda Gill, Michael Conway, Mark Isherwood, Ben Wheeler and Paul Iveson.
Buy Jersey Boys Prince Edward Theatre Tickets to see your favourite Jersey Boys cast.
October 25, 2010
Opera singer Jonathan Ansell is currently being considered for a role in the hit West End show Jersey Boys, it has been claimed.
According to Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye, the tenor could replace Stephen Ashfield in the musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, as he is considering moving to pastures new in spring 2011.
Ryan Molloy, who plays Frankie Valli in the show, will continue through 2011, however Stephen Ashfield will give his last performance this spring. Lee Mead and Ray Quinn are rumored to be joining the show as well.
September 4, 2010
Jersey Boys cast members made a special delivery to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas on Thursday, September 2 bringing nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes which were collected during the very successful “Walk Like a Man” shoe drive in honor of their 1,000th show on August 28. The cast presented the shoes and spent time meeting the children of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. In addition to the shoe donation, the Jersey Boys producers donated 1,000 pairs of socks to accompany to the shoes.
Jersey Boys Las Vegas
Fans were asked to bring a pair of children’s shoes to The
Jersey Boys Theatre at the Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino in exchange for a complimentary ticket to the 1000th show at 6:30 p.m. on August 28. The original goal was to collect 1,000 pairs of children’s shoes but close to 3,000 fans came down to show their support for this great cause-some as early as 4:30 a.m. When the drive began at noon, fans were lined up throughout the property to donate shoes and in exchange, see one of the best shows in town. The original 1,000 tickets were gone by the first hour but thanks to the Jersey Boys producers everyone who brought a pair of shoes received a ticket to an upcoming performance.
