The actor succeeds Derek Krantz, who played his final performance at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Dec. 21. Krantz departed the production "by mutual agreement with the creative team," according to a previous press statement. (In the interim the role was played by understudy Grant Tilly.)
Quinn VanAntwerp was seen as Andrew in the Geffen Playhouse's production of Atlanta. He also had a supporting role in the film "Four Christmases."
The Toronto production of Jersey Boys also stars Jeremy Kushnier as Tommy DeVito, Michael Lomenda as Nick Massi and Jeff Madden as Frankie Valli with Timothy Sell as Gyp DeCarlo and Shawn Wright as Bob Crewe.
The ensemble comprises Gabriel Antonacci, Matthew Brown, Matt Cassidy, Jade Elliott, Élodie Gillett, Bryan Hindle, Victoria Lamond, Jenny Lee Stern, Adrian Marchuk, Joe Matheson, Aaron MacKenzie, Lindsay Thomas and Grant Tilly.
Jersey Boys is being presented in Toronto as part of the launch of Dancap Productions Inc. In a statement Aubrey Dan, President of Dancap Productions Inc., said, "In just over one year, Dancap has realized its goal of transforming Toronto's theatrical landscape. This Canadian production of Jersey Boys showcases the world-class talent that Canada's theatrical community has to offer, both on- and off-stage."
Jersey Boys, according to press notes, is "the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. It's a journey of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide — all before they were 30."
The creative team includes Tony-winning director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo as well as Klara Zieglerova (scenic design), Jess Goldstein (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Clark (projections design), Charles LaPointe (wig and hair design), Steve Orich (orchestrations) and Ron Melrose (music direction, vocal arrangements and incidental music).
Jersey Boys premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in October 2004 before arriving in November 2005 at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre. The Broadway production garnered four Tony Awards: for stars John Lloyd Young and Christian Hoff, lighting designer Howell Binkley and for Best Musical.
The award-winning production features music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and a book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice.
There are currently five productions of Jersey Boys: New York, London, Chicago, Las Vegas and the North American tour. A sixth production will open in Melbourne, Australia, in March 2009.
Jersey Boys is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, with Latitude Link and Rick Steiner. The original Broadway cast recording is available on the Rhino Records label.
The Toronto Centre for the Arts is located at 5040 Yonge Street north of Sheppard Avenue. Tickets are on sale now by calling (416) 872-1111 or by visiting JerseyBoysToronto.com. For more information visit dancaptickets.com.
