Future Frankies Meet Casting Director Monday!
July 20th, 2007The headline in today’s Daily Mail reads, “Brits Get Frankie Fever.” Jersey Boys, the hottest musical on Broadway, is heading for London’s Prince Edward Theatre in the spring. According to this piece, producers have stated the show will feature an all-British cast!
Potential “Frankie Vallis” will gather in London on Monday to meet the show’s casting director – one every 15 minutes. They are seeing only UK actors to play the singer who, in early scenes, has to sport a Brilliantined pompadour.
The article also states that American star John Lloyd Young will come over to play Valli only if there’s a hitch here. The rest of the cast will be Brits as well.
Thus far, Jersey Boys has sold £1.3 million worth of tickets in the UK.
Wow, I would love to see the production with all the British actors in it.
Well, maybe JLY will stay here after all!
Comment by A — July 20, 2007 @ 8:25 am
What does that monetary amount translate to in US dollars, I wonder. Anyone know? Howard Tucker, Mr. CPA who travels to England a lot on business, could answer this I’m sure. It sounds like a lot. The Brits will love this show, no doubt!
It would be great, selfishly speaking, if John is willing to stay at August Wilson a little longer!
Comment by Audrey — July 20, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Hi Audrey, On the Dollars2Pounds.com website, they did the math for me. Here’s the calculation:
£1300000 = US $2,663,700
Susie
Comment by Administrator — July 20, 2007 @ 10:51 am
I still think David Norona should play Frankie in London if they can’t find an actor there.
Comment by Mark Brown — July 20, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
I’d also love to see JB in London! Wow, already selling $2 million worth of tickets for a March 2008 opening. That’s pretty impresive. Just as JB is a big hit in Broadway, LA and SF, it will be a major hit in London! American musicals are popular in the West End right now, and JB will most likely break the box office there!
Comment by Ann — July 20, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
Susie, thanks for saving me from having to provide a translation rate; I deal with it enough—wish the U.K. would switch to Euros!!
My only reservation in JLY not getting the role automatically (unless he chooses not to do it) is that he won’t as much international exposure as he rightly deserves. From my frequent travels, I can tell you everyone in Europe knows who Frankie Valli is, and most people have heard of “Jersey Boys”, but relatively few know the stars, including the Tony winners JLY and Christian.
Comment by Howard Tucker — July 21, 2007 @ 11:09 am
I agree with Howard. I hope the only reason John Lloyd is not playing Frankie in London is that he has something more compelling to do. He deserves the role if he wants it. To me, he is the one and only Frankie. – L
Comment by L — July 23, 2007 @ 6:32 am
I agree with Mark, see if David Norona would be interested.
He received all the early rave reviews when it all came about in San Diego.
Just saw him recently doing some bit work on HBO’s “Big Love”
I think that he could win London over.
Comment by Ray Ricci — July 24, 2007 @ 11:13 am
I saw Jersey Boys and it was FABULOUS!!!! Very very good casting!
Comment by franki — January 2, 2008 @ 9:18 am