Jersey Boys Special – The Cloning of Frankie Valli Part I
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
As the phenomenal, multi-award winning hit musical Jersey Boys, directed by Des McAnuff - based on the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ rise to fame (and fortune – the New York production alone has consistently been one of the top ten in gross receipts – approximately a million plus a week – do the math!) continues its fourth sold out year on Broadway and has productions running in Chicago, Las Vegas, London, Toronto, not to mention a National Tour and the soon to open production in Melbourne – July 4th 2009 I wondered - What makes Jersey Boys so special? Why is it so hugely successful? How can it be that there are so many excellent sound alike Frankie Vallis when once upon a time there was only one? The original Frankie Valli. How many Frankie Vallis can be cloned to meet the demand of casting such a difficult role in the many worldwide productions?
In November 2005, Jersey Boys opened on Broadway. It caused a sensation. It took in over $400,000 at the box office the day after it opened. It has never slowed down. In 2006 it won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Best Actor – John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli (who will be appearing with Lainie Kazan in the soon to be released comedy Oy Vey, My Son is Gay). Best Featured Actor - Christian Hoff as Tommy DeVito (who was to star in Pal Joey until he was injured). And Best Lighting - Howell Binkley.
Not one of the leads was well known. Usually a big budget Broadway musical needs a star to sell tickets. Not Jersey Boys. Not one of the Four Seasons was a sure fire box office name. In fact, Franki Valli (John Lloyd Young), Tommy DeVito (Christian Hoff), Nick Massi (J. Robert Spencer – who is now in the powerful new musical Next to Normal on Broadway) and Bob Gaudio (Daniel Reichard) were relatively unknown. And yet the show continues on its merry way to the bank without a star, receiving nightly standing ovations for its roller coaster ride of a story and its songs.
Speaking with Richard Hester, Production Supervisor, I was curious if they had approached any well known stars to appear in the original production. No. The show itself was the star. The producer, Dodger Productions, held open call auditions to find just the right person, the best person with just the right skills that were so specific for the part of Franki. John Lloyd Young was chosen. The rest is history.
Everyone was enthusiastic from the start. It seems as if fate brought just the right people together at the right time. And what about some of the other characters in the show? Did they need permission from say, Joe Pesci?
Joe was very eager to have this story told. The true story that included sex, drugs and the mob. Everyone is still friends and there were no gunshots ever fired at anyone. The writers smartly veered away from anything too dangerous. Some things just couldn’t be said.
Part II to follow
07-01-09
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