What A Year For The Jersey Boys

Our music detective Ray Nichol discovered this potentially early photo of the Four Seasons and we thought it would be good to share this with you in what has been a tremendous year for all those who have been ‘joined at the hip’ with this music most of their lives. If winning the award for Best Musical at the Tony’s wasn’t enough we are now seeing rave reviews for the touring company in San Francisco. As our former Times writer friend Charles Alexander told us this week…….

“I've just returned from a marvelous week in San Francisco, where Jersey Boys fever is running rampant through the population. I managed to see the play three times.

Just before I arrived, as the play was having its Opening Night, it was announced that the run would be extended for six weeks, with the closing date pushed back from Feb. 11 to March 25. How's that for advance sales? The theater is 30% to 40% bigger than the one on Broadway, the house is selling out, and the crowds are even louder than those in New   York.

It sure was cool seeing Jersey Boys ads on the cable cars. Anyone who reads links in the sidebar to this message knows that the reviews from the San Francisco critics have been fabulous.

The touring production is not scaled back in any way. Of course, the Jersey Boys set was cleverly designed to be mobile in the first place. In fact, some new things are being tried that might be inserted later on Broadway. There are at least three new punch lines in the script, all of which got big laughs from the SF audiences. There are new and different versions of much of the art work that is projected on the overhead screens, and there is a new abstract, animated video playing overhead during the Who Loves You finale. Very cool.

I will not try to compare the touring actors with the Broadway originals. That's a matter of personal taste. Let me assure everyone, though, that the entire touring cast is Broadway caliber. Any of you who get to see the touring company will see a performance that is every bit as good as the ones on Broadway. I was totally impressed and would unreservedly recommend the touring
production. Cheers, Charles”

It only requires a Theatre to be available in London for the next touring company to be sent here soon and what a great reception they will get.

 And don’t forget to keep wishing for that Motown Anthology to be released next year

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all our researchers and helpers…and a special wish from those in Spain

 

Casey Chameleon