Sad Breaking News: Jersey Boys Las Vegas to Close on September 18
June 8th, 2016
Jersey Boys Las Vegas Company (Photo credit: Joan Marcus)
Sad news in today’s Las Vegas Sun: After eight glorious years in Las Vegas, JERSEY BOYS is closing on September 18, 2016.
After just seeing the show last week, witnessing how awesome the company is on the Paris Las Vegas stage after all these years and how the crowd was still going wild, the closing news comes as a sad shock to us!
Below is the story from John Katsilometes in the Las Vegas Sun:
“Jersey Boys” is closing, the cast and crew were notified this evening at Paris Las Vegas. Its final show is Sept. 18.
Officials from production company Dodger Theatricals met with the creative team after the performance tonight and announced that the show would close after nearly 3,300 performances and a run exceeding eight years at two Strip hotels. The show opened in May 2008 at Palazzo Theater and moved to Paris in 2012.
“It’s been a remarkable run and we couldn’t be more proud of how both Las Vegas locals and visitors have embraced ‘Jersey Boys,’ ” Michael David, president of Dodger Theatricals, said in a news release issued tonight after the cast was informed of the decision. “The cast and crew gave their all every night, and the audiences returned that energy without fail.”
Said Paris Las Vegas President David Hoenemeyer, “‘Jersey Boys’ is one of the most compelling musicals ever staged and has been a great fit alongside our world-class entertainment lineup. We are very proud to have been part of its record-breaking Las Vegas run.”
Original members of the production include Keith Thompson, the show’s music director and also co-founder of the Composers’ Showcase of Las Vegas; and cast members Joe Barbara (Gyp DeCarlo) and John Salvatore (Bob Crew), and Jason Martinez (Nick Massi). Among the four principal cast members, Travis Cloer, who joined the show soon after it opened at Palazzo Theater, is the performer with the longest tenure.
In a text following the announcement to the cast, Cloer said, “I feel overwhelmed right now with a lot of thoughts and feelings.”
“This is sad news, but that’s showbiz … thank God for a three-month notice,” Thompson said via text message. “I am hoping I can find something that will keep me in Vegas, where my heart is!”
The adaptation of the career of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is the longest-running Broadway-themed show to perform in Las Vegas. “Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular” at the Venetian and “Mamma Mia” at Mandalay Bay both ran for six years.
Cast member Graham Fenton, who portrays Frankie Valli, said, “I’m so proud to have been a part of the original, and now closing, companies of the Las Vegas production of “Jersey Boys.” We have had an incredible, record-breaking run. I’m grateful for the cast, crew, the city of Las Vegas, our devoted fans, and everyone who has contributed to the show’s success. It’s been quite a ride!”
There are no announced plans for what will replace “Jersey Boys” at Paris, which opened in 1999 with “Notre Dame de Paris” and was also home to Barry Manilow’s headlining show from 2010-2011.
Those who have ordered tickets to shows after Sept. 18 may exchange them for an earlier date or receive a full refund through the source where the tickets were purchased.
I am so sad that it will not be there when I go back to Vegas for my 50th birthday. I was looked big forward to seeing it for the 3rd time. Good luck to all of the cast and crew.
Comment by Pam Grafmiller — June 8, 2016 @ 6:09 pm
Sounds like the next fan gathering to me!
Comment by Gary — June 8, 2016 @ 8:42 pm
Had the greatest pleasure seeing this Las Vegas cast 17 times. Awesome and fabulous meeting and knowing some of you. All the very to each of you. You’re the best !!
Comment by Marsha C. — June 9, 2016 @ 8:57 am
Totally shocked. However, I did purchase tickets for the last show which happens to be my husband’s 70th birthday. This will be our 25th time but hopefully it will reopen in Chicago. Always looked forward to seeing them at the Paris as it was a triple pleasure – staying at that hotel, seeing Jersey Boys and family. I remember first seeing them at the Palazzo and have a poster from there when they performed. Good luck to all cast members. You will be sorely missed.
Comment by Mitzi — June 11, 2016 @ 6:32 am