Jersey Boys Blog

Forty-nine years ago today, on March 2, 1963, The Four Seasons had their third chart-topper: “Walk Like A Man”! The song, co-written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, remained in the Number One position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three straight weeks.

When asked about the inspiration for “Walk Like A Man,” here’s what Gaudio said in a SunSentinel.com interview, “I wrote that song for the best use of Frankie’s voice. There’s a modulation that allows Frankie’s voice to really ring. I wanted to maximize his full range.”

Mike Weatherford of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently had lunch with the FIVE guys who play the Four Seasons in JERSEY BOYS Las Vegas (Travis Cloer, Graham Fenton, Jeff Leibow, Deven May, and Rob Marnell), who are all excited about the show’s opening at Paris Las Vegas this coming Tuesday, March 6! Here’s a sneak peak:

One of the opening lines of “Jersey Boys” states a central theme: “You ask four guys how it happened, you get four different versions.”

But if you have lunch with five guys (because two share the role of Frankie Valli), you find little to argue about. If they see eye to eye, it’s because most of them have worked together a long time now in the Broadway hit. So long that when Rob Marnell stepped up from the chorus to play Bob Gaudio, life mirrored his character, the final but most crucial ingredient of the Four Seasons.

The choreographer told him, “OK Rob, you know the steps, but really start checking in with these guys. And seeing even more how much you can match them.”

“Naturally they’ve been doing this so long they have that vibe going and have that band vibe established,” Marnell says. “It’s one thing I’m trying to tune into and one of the challenging things about being a newbie.”

Cast and crew used a six-week break to reautomate the stagecraft and adapt the choreography for a Paris stage that’s 12 feet wider. “What’s been great for us is we’ve had the luxury of having all of our creative team here,” says Travis Cloer who rotates the role of Frankie Valli with Graham Fenton. Along with the technical cues, “They’ve been saying to us, ‘Think about it this way. Play it this way.’ So for me, it feels like a completely brand new show.”

Adds Jeff Leibow, who opened the Palazzo run as Nick Massi, “We’ve all had to adapt when new people come along … but never do we get this kind of attention. Where the creative team is saying, ‘Now that we’re here again, let’s re-evaluate.’ ” It’s rare with an established, much-franchised hit to “revisit all the information that’s underneath what we do.”

Click HERE to read the whole interview.

Paris Las Vegas welcomed JERSEY BOYS with an exciting ceremony on February 23, 2012. The Las Vegas “Four Seasons” were greeted by Paris Las Vegas President David Hoenemeyer and were surprised with a special “flash mob” to “Oh What a Night” by Paris staff members.

Another fantastic review for the JERSEY BOYS first national tour in Charlotte! Check out a sneak peek of Mark Wineka’s write-up:

Charlotte’s “Jersey Boys” brings all the talent and production qualities you’d find in New York — the kind that make theater-goers come back every time to see the 2006 “Best Musical.”

The performances of the Four Seasons singers themselves — Preston Truman Boyd as Bob Gaudio, Joseph Leo Bwarie as Frankie Valli, Michael Lomenda as Nick Massi and John Gardiner as Tommy DeVito — make it impossible to choose a favorite.

They all stand out, and the story smartly gives each “Season” his showcase moments.

Jonathan Hadley, as lyricist-producer Bob Crewe, and Joseph Siravo, as mobster Gyp DeCarlo, also give outstanding performances in tying the narrative together.

Visit SalisburyPost.com to read the full review.

On Tuesday, the smash Broadway hit JERSEY BOYS will arrive at Proctors Theatre for a three-week run. Bob Goepfert has a terrific interview with JB 2nd national tour’s Tommy DeVito, Colby Foytik! Below is a short preview:

Foytik plays Tommy DeVito, the man who formed The Four Seasons and recruited Valli to be its lead singer.

The actor spent 10 months with the show in Las Vegas.

“It’s probably the same in every city, but in Vegas it was noticeable to see a man come in with his wife or girlfriend and know it (seeing the show) was an obligation. There was little doubt he’d rather have been playing poker, blackjack or craps. But without fail, after a couple of numbers you would see his head bobbing and a big smile come across his face. I swear those guys had a better time than their wives.”

Visit Saratogian.com to read the full interview with Colby Foytik.

The JERSEY BOYS second national tour heads to Proctors from this Tuesday Feb. 28 through March 18 and Michael Eck has an exciting preview with reflections from co-librettist Rick Elice and Brandon Andrus, who plays Nick Massi. Here’s a sneak peek:

Philadelphian Brandon Andrus, 32, plays Nick Massi, in essence the No. 4 man on the Four Seasons totem pole, below Valli, Gaudio, guitarist Tommy DeVito and even, perhaps “Fifth Season” Bob Crewe, who produced the band and wrote lyrics for Gaudio’s gorgeous melodies.

“Bob Gaudio was kind enough to say to me that I really capture Nick,” says Andrus.

Elice says part of the show’s runaway success is that it is shaped a little differently than most jukebox musicals. He and Brickman largely avoided the trap of trying to have a scene build up to a musical payoff. Instead, most of the songs are delivered presentationally.

“That was (director) Des McAnuff’s idea, to have the songs exist in a context where people would naturally be performing — in the recording studio, in a New Jersey hole-in-the-wall or at Yankee Stadium. The challenge then was to fill the story in around that, and to use those songs as landmarks along the way.”

Visit TimesUnion.com to read the full story.

Randy Grooms with his daughter Krystal Grooms Thomsen

We are supporting our friend and Jersey Boys fan Krystal Grooms Thomsen in her upcoming run to raise funds for Merkel Cell Carcinoma research. You can support the cause by clicking HERE or on the link below in Krystal’s note.

A message from our friend Jersey Boys Fantastic Fan Krystal Grooms Thomsen:

Dear Friends & Family,

I’m a runner! I love to run! It’s freeing, a time to clear my head and get some fresh air. I get to see countrysides, the ocean, bountiful fields and other beautiful spots that I normally wouldn’t. I enjoy running distances that push me beyond my own boundaries and allow me to set goals for myself. Inspired by my husband Chris’ years of fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I want to fundraise for cancer research that is extremely close to my heart. My goal is to raise $1,000 for Merkel Cell Carcinoma research and I need your help!

My dad, Randy Grooms, was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma on December 23, 2010. This is an extremely rare form of cancer with only 1,500 cases diagnosed per year, making it about 40 times less common than Melanoma. Merkel Cell Carcinoma usually develops on sun-exposed skin as firm bump, which tends to grow rapidly over time. The exact cause of Merkel Cell Carcinoma is unknown but factors strongly associated with it include fair skin, a history of extended sun exposure, chronic immune suppression and people over the age of 50.

Treating Merkel Cell Carcinoma is like other types of cancer. It is important to note that Merkel Cell Carcinoma is not the same as Melanoma and cannot be treated with surgery alone. My dad has been a fighter and has powered through multiple surgeries, two rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. We know he has a long road ahead of him, but we’re fortunate that he has been under the care of the best of the best doctors (in our opinion) who specialize in this rare form of cancer.

Dr. Paul Nghiem in Seattle is a renowned doctor who has cared for over 300 patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, including my dad. He conducts science research on cancer biology at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. With a goal of defining more optimal treatment for Merkel Cells, he is leading genetic studies to further understand the biology of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. He has founded the MCC Multicenter Interest Group, with representatives from over 20 institutions to pool resources and expertise on this challenging cancer.

On March 11th I will be running the Shamrock’n Half Marathon! That’s 13.1 miles all in the name of cancer research. I’m asking for a donation to help me reach my fundraising goal of $1,000 by March 11th. Please click on this LINK, then click “GIVE” for any donations toward “Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.” All donations are 100% tax deductable! (Tax ID# 91-1935159) Because I am training myself, there are no administrative fees and every penny you donate will go directly towards cancer research. Additionally, I will be personally donating $1 for every mile I run during my training.

Thank you in advance for your support!

All the best,

Krystal Thomsen

*** Please remember to always use sunscreen and protect yourself from the sun!***

Theater critic Lawrence Toppman states the return of JERSEY BOYS to Charlotte’s Belk Theater is a machine so well-oiled that it runs at top speed with near-relentless precision. Here’s an excerpt from his review:

Joseph Leo Bwarie, whose low body and high falsetto make him ideal for the lead role of Frankie Valli, still has the plaintive personality and ringing voice that stood out on the tour’s first visit to Belk Theater in winter 2010.

The freshness comes from the three guys who surround Valli in the Four Seasons: John Gardiner as combative Tommy DeVito, Michael Lomenda as complacent Nick Massi and especially Preston Truman Boyd as composer Bob Gaudio. Boyd, last seen at the Belk galumphing through “Young Frankenstein” as the monster, brings a calm to his monologues that helps to balance the frenetic pace.

And the level of professionalism hasn’t gone down an iota, from fervent onstage drumming by Mark Papazian, to the zeal of the three actresses who play every female part. For these dedicated souls, the show hasn’t gotten a whit more stale on its unending travels.

Visit CharlotteObserver.com to read the full review.

A Message from JERSEY BOYS Las Vegas’ Nick Massi–Jeff Leibow:

Hello Everybody,

It’s that time again. The 2012 AIDS Walk is April 15, and once again, I am asking for your help.

The JB Blog community has been so amazing at supporting my charity efforts year after year. I hope you will be able to help again this year. Once again, I am arranging a Team Jersey Boys, and I have set a pretty lofty goal for myself and the team. Any help the members of the blog community can offer will help us get that much closer to the goal.

This virus has touched so many, even members of the Jersey Boys family. With your help, we can help fund more research and help those living with HIV.

To contribute, please click HERE to visit my donation page.

Thank you in advance for all your support once again!

Cheers,
Jeff Leibow

JERSEY BOYS Broadway’s “Frankies”–Dominic Scaglione, Jr. & Jarrod Spector (Photo Credit: Robert Caplin for The New York Times)

New York Times’ Steven McElroy asked a wide variety of Broadway performers which coming productions they’d most want to catch if they had the chance. Check out what new shows Broadway JERSEY BOYS’ two “Frankies”–Jarrod Spector & Dominic Scaglione, Jr. would like to see this spring!

Jarrod Spector, Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys”: “Death of a Salesman.” One of the great plays by one of the great American playwrights, with Philip Seymour Hoffman as Willy Loman? Plus my man Glenn Fleshler is in it. Yeah, that one just might be worth the price of admission.

Dominic Scaglione Jr.: “Evita.” I was more interested in football in high school, but my senior year I played the role of Che Guevara in West Orange, N.J.’s high school production, and it started a fire in me and solidified my love for the stage.

Click HERE to read the full blog post

The New Zealand Four Seasons: Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio), Dion Bilios (Frankie Valli), Anthony Harkin (Tommy DeVito), and Glaston Toft (Nick Massi)

News from JERSEY BOYS: JERSEY BOYS – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, is soon to open at the Civic Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, with performances from 10 April, for a strictly limited season. The cast to play The Four Seasons are:

DION BILIOS is Frankie Valli: Dion has been involved in stage and performance since the age of four, training in all aspects of performing arts. His stage credits include the roles of Gavroche in Les Miserable, Sammy in Jolson and Captain in Oliver. In 2008, he toured with the Australian production of Altar Boyz, where he performed the role of Mark and has most recently been part of the award winning Australian production of Mary Poppins. Dion has also featured in numerous television commercials and series including his role as “Bud” in the AFI Award winning film Soft Fruit. He has also had the chance to work with many of Australia’s finest Choreographers including Kelley Abbey, Matt Lee, Leah Howard, Cameron Mitchell, William A Forsythe and The Squared Division.

DECLAN EGAN is Bob Gaudio: Declan is thrilled to be making his professional theatre debut as Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys. In 2010 he graduated from the Diploma of Music Theatre course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Declan also graduated from the Talent Development Project in 2011 and performed in the TDP-Start Me up Concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Since graduating Declan has performed with the corporate act Boys in the Band with SMA productions. Prior to NIDA, Declan studied Voice at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music and performed in the 2010 season of Encore at the Sydney Opera House.

ANTHONY HARKIN is Tommy De Vito: Anthony Harkin graduated from the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts in 1999 and has since gone on to a successful career in Theatre and Television. Anthony’s recent theatre credits include Rock of Ages (Newtheatricals), Avenue Q (Arts Asia), Shane Warne the Musical and Wind in the Willows (Australian Shakespeare Company). Other theatre credits include the A Month in the Country (Sydney Theatre Company), The Last Five Years (Echelon Productions), Cabaret (IMG), and The Internationalist (The Practical Theatre Company). Anthony also toured Australia nationally with Miss Saigon. Television and Film credits include The Alice, Network Seven’s All Saints and Mark Lee’s feature film The Bet. Anthony recently directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Sydney’s Centennial Park for WildRumpuS Productions.

GLASTON TOFT is Nick Massi: Glaston graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2005. Prior to WAAPA, he studied Classical Voice at the Queensland Conservatorium and trained in Commercial Dance and Music Theatre at DLDC Studios. In 2008, he performed in TML Enterprises’ production of SHOUT- the Legend of the Wild One (Peewee understudy- the Delltones’ iconic frontman). Glaston then commenced the national tour of Opera Australia’s My Fair Lady (The Cockney & Servant Quartets). His other performance highlights include Little Me and Camelot for The Production Company.

Picture this: Frankie Valli hosting “The Midnight Special” in the summer of 1975 and seeing The Four Seasons debuting “Who Loves You”! Later that summer–that great song entered the Top 40 charts and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the fall, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks!

What was the high point? Buying that 45 at the downtown record store, playing it nonstop when I was supposed to be doing my homework, calling the local radio nightly “hitline,” and watching my fave group back in the Top 5 on the charts after an eight-year absence?! It was all great…What about your “Who Loves You” memories?

(Photo Credit: Erik Kabik)

From BroadwayWorld.com: JERSEY BOYS had an amazing welcoming today at their new home at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino!

Pulling up in a vintage 1959 red Cadillac Convertible, the Jersey Boys were greeted by employees of Paris Las Vegas performing a special “flash mob” to “Oh What a Night.” Upon exiting they were greeted by David Hoenemeyer (Regional President, Paris Las Vegas) who officially welcomed them to their new home. Seeing that David is a native of New Jersey, Jersey Boys saw it only appropriate to make him an honorary “fifth season” and give him his very own (and original) “Sherry” jacket.

Michael Lomenda, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Preston Truman Boyd and John Gardiner (left to right) in Jersey Boys at the National Theatre. Photograph by Joan Marcus

JERSEY BOYS first national tour is now playing through Sunday, March 11, in Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center! Danny Knaub has posted some fun facts about the JERSEY BOYS first national tour Four Seasons–including their coffee preferences & fun facts on the Blumenthal Performing Arts Blog. Here’s a sneak peek:

Joseph Leo Bwarie (Frankie Valli): Coffee Choice: None…say what?…Yup, Bwarie chose a large iced water!

Preston Truman Boyd (Bob Gaudio): Coffee Choice: Big and Black!

John Gardiner (Tommy DeVito): Coffee Choice: Grande Americano with cream and two Splenda!

Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi): Coffee Choice: Soy Green Tea Latte

Visit BlumenthalArtsBlog.com to find out more fun facts on these multi-talented performers!

With time to kill on a Sunday afternoon, the JBB Tech Half set out on a photo shoot at the direction of the feisty Blog Half. The result? Some spectacular photos of JERSEY BOYS’ new home at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino! The show opens on March 6! Enjoy!

Three of the Four Seasons from the JERSEY BOYS first national tour–Preston Truman Boyd, John Gardiner, and Michael Lomenda visited Terra Blake on FOX News Rising this morning. Click HERE to watch!

From VegasNews.com: The smash-hit show Jersey Boys will be welcomed to Paris Las Vegas in an exciting ceremony that combines a little taste of Jersey with the elegance of Paris. Upon the cast’s arrival, they will be greeted by president of Paris Las Vegas David Hoenemeyer and Paris employees, who will perform a special “surprise” tribute to the cast.

Additionally, for the first time ever the cast will present a famed Four Seasons jacket to Hoenemeyer, who originally hails from New Jersey. The jacket will serve as a thank you to both Hoenemeyer and Paris Las Vegas for their hospitality and also to welcome Hoenemeyer as an honorary “Fifth Season.”

WHEN: Thursday, February 23, 2012
10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Paris Las Vegas
Under the Arc de Triomphe in the Porte Cochere
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109