La Jolla artistic director Des McAnuff (Dracula) staged the debut of the musical which began Oct. 5, 2004 and opened Oct. 17 for a run ( extended three times) through Jan. 16, 2005 at the company's Mandell Weiss Theatre.
No casting or dates have been announced, but production spokespersons confirmed the recent home of Little Women will be the venue for the Broadway-bound musical. Dodger Stage Holding — with which director McAnuff is affiliated — will produce the Broadway run expected for a September start according to a recent casting notice.
Jersey Boys centers on the musical group The Four Seasons and how four blue-collar guys — Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi — grew to become the singing sensation behind such hits as "Rag Doll," "Sherry," "Big Girls Don’t Cry," "Oh What a Night" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You."
Book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice along with composer Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe collaborated to create Jersey Boys with director McAnuff. Sergio Trujillo served as choreographer, Ron Melrose handled musical direction and orchestrations were provided by Steve Orich. All are on board for the projected Broadway run.
For the California debut, Christian Hoff (The Who's Tommy) played Tommy DeVito, David Noroña (Love! Valour! Compassion!) was Frankie Valli, Daniel Reichard (Radiant Baby,The Thing About Men) took on Bob Gaudio and J. Robert Spencer (Sideshow, Lucky Duck) portrayed Nick Massi. The cast also included Sarah Avery, Tituss Burgess, Marisa Echeverría, Steve Gouveia, Peter Gregus, Donnie Kehr, Jennifer Naimo and Sean Smith. The design team of Jersey Boys featured Klara Zieglerova (scenic), Jess Goldstein (costume), Howell Binkley (lighting), Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound) and Michael Clark (projection).
The work became the longest running production in the California company's history with a total 120 performances surpassing the 1992 production of The Who's Tommy, also directed by McAnuff, which played 114 performances.
Director McAnuff has earned two Tony Awards for his direction of The Who's Tommy and Big River. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and A Walk in the Woods. The busy director's slate includes this Broadway season's run of Dracula, The Musical, the current Billy Crystal solo 700 Sundays and a planned revival of The Wiz.
