I first saw Jersey Boys on Broadway the third week it opened. I had heard that this newcomer John Lloyd Young was a star in the making and his reviews were nothing short of spectacular so I absolutely had to see him. I had just been to see Sweeney Todd a few days before and Patti LuPone was out sick and we had to be contented with the understudy. Much to my chagrin, I got to my seat at the August Wilson, opened my Playbill and out flies that little white paper stating "Tonight the role of of Frankie Valli will be played by Dominic Nolfi." I literally screamed out, "NOOOOOO! Twice in a row...I'm turning into a Broadway jinx!" Literally everyone around me heard this loud and clear and one guy turned around and said, "You won't be disappointed in this fellow Dominic. He absolutely delivers. You won't miss the other guy." I said to him, "You're seeing this show again and it just opened?" He said, "It's the best show ever! You'll be seeing it again, too." I thought to myself, "Not likely. I never have the desire to see a show more than once." Well, after the first few minutes along with Dominic's captivating performance, I KNEW I WOULD BE SEEING THIS SHOW...ALOT!" It was just that good. At intermission, I was already set to buy tickets for the next show...and I hadn't even seen the outcome of the second act! I didn't care. I can't count the number of times I have heard members of the audience at intermission state that they are going to see this show again. Really, how often does one hear that? Furthermore, I HAVE NEVER WAITED AT A STAGE DOOR IN MY LIFE! Well, Jersey Boys changed all that for me. The cast was so gracious with the fans and that was the icing on the cake for me...I was (and still am) hooked!
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The first time you saw Jersey Boys
(154 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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I know what you mean, Gary! I have never wanted to see a show more than once...until Jersey Boys! I had never even written one fan letter in my life until this show came along...it's addicting, isn't it?
Posted 5 years ago # -
Gary,
I second Helen's comment. I too have never seen a Broadway show more than once and I have never gone to a stage door ever before in my life. Yes, there is something definitely contagious about this show!!!Posted 5 years ago # -
same here. never saw a show twice, wrote a fan letter, or visited a stage door before seeing Jersey Boys. i'm seeing Jersey Boys for the third time on Tuesday and hoping to go to the stage door afterward.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I am from the West Coast and sat down last year in June for my annual "let's watch the Tony Awards and see what I didn't get to see on Broadway this year". John Lloyd Young came out and sang "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" and the whole world exploded. I am a Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons fan from my childhood years and this was such an amazing performance that I was blown away clapping and yelling in my living room hollering: "Give him the Tony for crying out loud"!! I called my girlfriend the next day and said I was going to New York to see this performance and was she in or what? Since her father didn't say she had to be home by 11:00 we hopped a plane to New York in August. I have to say I don't think I ever enjoyed myself as much as when I saw this performance. It truly went by so fast and was so upbeat and edgy and, well ubiquitious that I immediately wanted to go see it again. Unfortunately, my friend did not like it as much as I did so I did not get to go again that trip. But I went back in April and saw it twice and am going again in a couple of weeks to see JLY and the others one last time (maybe 2) before their contracts expire. Now you would think after all that went down, I would not have wanted to see Jersey Boys in SF, well if that's what you think, you are not a JB fan. I have seen the Sherry & Chicago casts about 13 times. They are fantastic also. Like the others on this board, I have never seen a Broadway play more than once, but there is something about this musical. After 8 bars, I knew I had to have more. Anyway, you get the picture. I am so going to hate it when the SF production leaves on 9/30. But I am going to see Frankie Valli in October so that will be a treat.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Hi, LInda,
I am from the east coast and have seen the Broadway performance 20 times - which I think is low in relation to the number of times other fantastic fans have seen the show. Yesterday, I saw JB SF and I was mesmerized. I absolutely loved the performance, the actors and best of all, meeting another fantastic fan, Mike Magbaleta.
I agree, there is something very special about this musical. For me, as I believe for you, it has a special significance in that we grew up with the music of FV and the Four Seasons. So this show really hits home. However, what I didn't know was the history behind the group. The story is so straightforward as depicted in the show that the music becomes all the more significant because it is now attached to a real-life story.
There are many fans who have met each other through the blog and bulletin board who will be attending the September 15 evening performance. Will you be at that performance? It would be great to meet you! IE
Posted 5 years ago # -
Irene: I wish I was I was going to be there on the 15th!! I would love to meet you all. I will be in New York from 9/6 to 9/10, just a short trip. If anyone wants to get together for a drink or whatever let me know. I have reservations for Cabaret Cares on 9/9 at West Bank Cafe to see some of the Jersey Boys perform on Sunday night. If anyone is going to attend that let me know and we can meet up since I will be solo.
Back to the play, I also had no idea of the history of the group. I was astonished the first time I saw the performance and you really have no time to absorb and think about what is going on (Joe Pesci introduced Bob Gaudio to Tommy DeVito, who knew?). It was very emotional (and continues to be) for me because of the ups and downs the group went through but the handshake and loyalty of Frankie & Bob means a lot to us of a certain generation because it is rare today to see that. We only see the Enron scandals on the news and feel revulsion. This play reinforces our sense of decency and belief that if you try hard enough, you can make it if you have the talent. The music is the icing on the cake because if you just went up there and "juke-boxed it", it lessens the impact of what the music meant to the group. The music is the companion to the story of these artists who dedicated so much of their lives to their passion. What a terrific way to bring it to the people. Thanks Des, Dodger Productions and all.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Linda,
Your message about Jersey Boys really summed up a how I think we all feel!!Posted 5 years ago # -
LInda,
So eloquently stated! HOpe to meet you soon! IE
Posted 5 years ago # -
I first saw JB November 30, 2005 at the Wednesday matinee in the mezzanine. I remember being struck by the line "Buy me out? You don't buy me out, I buy you out!" So much was packed into that line, I thought.
I remember we lingered on the street afterwards and saw some of the cast leaving. I don't recall any patrons at the stage door. I didn't really have a consciousness of a 'stage door' experience at the time.
The show stuck with me and after the holidays, I finally checked out JLY's website, including his links page which led me to the famous JBB. I read JLY's blog back to its beginning AND watched the rehearsal and opening night videos over and over again- watching JLY's reaction in the Bloomfield/ Fairfield scene in s..l..o..w.. motion; it's priceless. The next time I went was 6 months later in May 2006. The rest is history- after a total of 19 (and counting) wonderful performances later. Some mighty fine memories!
Posted 5 years ago # -
It's so interesting reading about everyone's reactions to seeing this play for the first time. I like to go back and re-read them because the feelings are still there. I like to go back and read parts of JLY's blog too, especially during the time period he was auditioning for the part and then rehearsing. Knowing how it all turned out for him, you have to admire him even more for the total dedication he gave to this role. Now we wait for the next role and try not to get impatient as Bob Crewe screaming "Play that f**king song already!!"
Posted 5 years ago # -
I vividly remember my first time seeing Jersey Boys on Sunday, Nov 13th, 2005. To say I was blown away by the show and John's performance, is a major understatement. I remember Emailing John that night and telling him how much I'd enjoyed the show. Three hours later, he wrote back telling me how happy that made him. I thought to myself then how special this man seemed (little did I know just HOW special!). Four days later I was thrilled to meet all four Boys, along with Bob Gaudio, at a Tower Records signing.And that, my friends, was the start of many beautiful relationships, not to mention one long,extended joyride!
Posted 5 years ago # -
My first time was October 2006 when JLY was on vacation. I saw Michael Longoria as Frankie and he was great, but as all of you know, I had to get more of the JB's so I went on line and read about JLY. I also wrote my first fan letter (since the beatles in 1964!!). JLY replied and I was hooked. Saw it the second time this past July and waited at the Stage door -- never did that before either. JLY came out and I froze up like a teenager!! (no offense to any teenagers, but I'm old enough to be JLY's mother) The play is the best, but you all know that. See you all on Feb 23.
Elaine
Posted 5 years ago # -
This is my first post although I have been reading the forum for a long time. I first Saw JB on the Macy's parade on Thanksgiving 2005. I called my sis in Dallas and said we must get tix for this show in March 2006 when we go to NYC (from Texas). My niece was singing at Carnegie. The next nite we went to see JB and we were blown away!!!! I read the playbill all the way back home to Houston and e-mailed JLY that next day. He e-mailed back the next day and started my love for JB. I had not written a fan letter since the Beatles and stage door since seeing Barbra after Funny Girl. Many many moons later, I am completely taken with this show. Have been to NY and seen it 5 times. Love the backstage tours, JLY dinner, Susan, Michael, Christian, Bobby (from Texas)Daniel and Gus at the stage door. Looking forward to seeing JB in Houston next month. Got sets of tix and plan to see CKJ after the show. Met Irene through this forum and can tell y'all are amazing and fantastic fans!!! Texas Gal
Posted 5 years ago # -
Audrey, that's an interesting point you bring up: the first line you heard that struck a chord with you (could be the title of a new JB thread, eh?)
For me (and this hardly has any earth-shattering quality), it was when Frankie (Dominic) responded to Tommy's (Christian), "Hey take it easy, Little Brother!" Dom retorted "...and I ain't your little brotha!" Don't have any rhyme or reason, it just struck a chord. Perhaps I thought it was good acting, a good script, the right delivery, but from that point on I knew I was seeing something special and it engaged me for the rest of the show.
Elaine, are you new here? If so, I look forward to meeting you on Feb. 23rd.
TexasGal, welcome to our happy home away from home! It's great to have you here. Jump in and have fun! Did you know Melissa Strom (Francine in the Sherry cast) is from Plano, TX?
Posted 5 years ago # -
first saw jb in san fran at the beginning of the tour, got to meet the cast afterward, decided that it was "THE SHOW" that I just HAD to see again.
and here I am now, eleven shows later.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Pamela . . . finally someone else who was at the Tower Records signing! I have a great story to tell about that, but it will have to wait. It's Christmas Eve and I have a busy day tomorrow. Love the brunch pics and newsy article. Happy Holidays!
Posted 5 years ago # -
I remember the first time I saw JB, I was not expecting anything great. Well, I was proven wrong and the show grabbed my attention as soon as Ces Soirees La started.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Hi Lulu,
Great that you were at Tower, too. Wasn't that just the best?! I got there really early, expecting lines, which never emerged. Tower was blasting the Cast Recording while we waited, mingling with the few others there ,a real convival atmosphere. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with the Boys. I was struck by how down to earth, warm, and handsome they all were, Bob G included! Christian was a riot. I asked where he honed such an authentic Jersey accent, being a true Jersey Girl myself. He and Bob looked at each other, cracked up, and simultaneously said 'La Jolla'! Really a fun time, and the start of my connection with the cast.Thanks for the nice words about my recap, on the Blog. Wishing you a very happy holiday. Pamela
Posted 5 years ago # -
I kept seeing it being advertised on the monitor at the Ahmanson Theatre for the upcoming season everytime I saw shows there last season. It looked really good and got my interest from the start to put on the to see list. A friend of mine saw it up in SF and highly recommended it. I almost waited too late to get tickets for it but luckily got in as they were selling like hotcakes. I first saw it on 7/19/07 two days after CKJ's birthday. He had guests that night so when an opportunity presented itself I introduced myself and chatted with him a couple of minutes. He's a friend of a friend of mine. I saw it again the beginning of August and again CKJ had guests. I waited for him to come out after giving a backstage tour to them. I asked if I could walk to the parking garage with him as he was like sure so we chatted all the way there. We parked on the same level but in different areas. We parted then I found out the next day when tickets for OCPAC would be going on sale.
I didn't really talk to any castmembers besides CKJ in L.A. In Costa Mesa I started put faces with names and started talking more with castmembers. An opportunity presented itself for me to be able to talk with Nate while walking down the street as he was headed to the gym and I was headed to dinner. He waited for me to catch up as he must've heard me running to catch up to him but I didn't call his name or anything. He turned around, saw it was me and waited for me to catch up which was cool. He walked me to the restaurant and we parted ways. We talked about all sorts of stuff from the show to my auditioning for a show once, etc. I wish we had spoken earlier in the run. Oh, well it was fun and I enjoyed whoever would chat with me at the stagedoor.Posted 5 years ago # -
Gary wrote:
"For me (and this hardly has any earth-shattering quality), it was when Frankie (Dominic) responded to Tommy's (Christian), "Hey take it easy, Little Brother!" Dom retorted "...and I ain't your little brotha!" Don't have any rhyme or reason, it just struck a chord. Perhaps I thought it was good acting, a good script, the right delivery, but from that point on I knew I was seeing something special and it engaged me for the rest of the show."
That's when it hit me too. There was an emotional connection that just sucked me right in.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I felt drawn in right away , too. For me, it was Tommy's line 'This is where it all started, Belleville , New Jersey, a thousand years ago, four guys under a street lamp.....'. There was something so powerful, so raw about that declaration. The emotional intensity of the show just kept building and never let up.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I have to say that I was so emotionally wrapped up in the moment when I saw it in NYC that I was sure the San Francisco production would be a let down. I purchased tickets as my 15 year old grandaughter wanted to see it for her birthday. The opening with Ces Soiree La came on and I absolutely had no recollection of it. I literally thought it had been added for the touring cast only. Needless to say, that group was fantastic and I have seen it many times since then. But nothing compares to that first time and the gasp that went through the audience at the August Wilson when the opening bars of "You're Just to Good To Be True" began. What magic.
Posted 5 years ago # -
The first thing I saw was the Tony's performance. It was the first time I had ever seen them, so it will always be a little special to me. Strange thing, I actually wanted either The Drowsy Chaperone or The Wedding Singer to win. I kept thinking, this is a nice concert, but what the heck? How did it win? It looked good, and of course the entire cast was awesome, but I really liked the other two shows' performances better. So then, the show comes to LA. Since I really had no idea what it would be like, I kept saying that I wanted to see it, but I didn't do anything about it.
Then on the first of July, my birthday rolls around. My friend, Amyl, asked me if I would like to see Oklahoma for my birthday, us both being musical geeks. I say yes, and we plan something for like the 21st. The on the 6th, I'm at school for an over-summer Academic Decathlon meeting, and my friend calls me.
The following dialogue ensues:
Me: Hello.
Amy: Hey, are you free tonight?
Me: I don't know, why?
Amy: Well, I was wondering if instead of going to see Oklahoma for your birthday, if you'd like to see Jersey Boys tonight.
Me: (after moment of silence, I now, actually really wanted to see the show) Seriously?
amy: Yes. We have front row center seats.
Me: Oh my God. I was going to work on my summer assignment, but I can do that tomorrow. Let me call my mom.
Amy: Okay, bye.
(frantic dialing as I try to calm myself, praying that my mom will let me go)
Me: Mom, can I go see Jersey Boys tonight with Amy?
Mom: What?
Me: Amy has front row center seats for Jersey Boys tonight, and she asked if I want to go see that instead of Oklahoma. (still trying to calm down, not doing a very good job)
Mom: Don't you have homework?
Me: I'll do it tomorrow. Mom, please let me go!!
Mom: Okay, but you have to promise to do it tomorrow. If you don't finish your work, don't ever think of asking me to see something agian.
Me: Don't worry, I will. Love you, Mom. Bye.
(ecstatic dialing)
Me: Amy?
Amy: Yes?
Me: I can go!!!!
Amy: Great. And just think, front row center.
(my frantically happy yells, arrangement of transportation, and goodbyes)The next hour, my Academic Decathlon team listens to me go on about my newfound luck. Then I go home to change and get ready. We go. Amy and I talk about the cast's headshots. The show begins, heaven ensues. Somewhere during the show, I realize "Oh, this is why it won the Tony." Afterwords we go to the stage door, realize that not only is that cast incredibly talented, but gorgeous and amazingly sweet and funny people also. I go home, walk in thew door and say, "I think it was the best show I have ever seen. Mom, I need to go again." Same thing happens when my dad comes home from work. I am on a high for the next few days, which then leads to the planning of seeing it again two weeks later, and then again about a month later. And then again when it comes back to Costa Mesa. Needless to say, it was the best birthday present I had ever received.
Sorry it was so long.
Posted 5 years ago # -
This topic is worthy of bumping every once in while. too.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Mine wasn't too interesting, but i'll tell it anyways.
Well, the first that I had seen of Jersey Boys was the commercial of the OBC. I remember not being sure if I wanted to see it at first, but after seeing the commercial three or four times that night, I realized that I did.
Because my boyfriend goes to school a hour away from where I lived (my home, not Chicago), we spend our weekends together for the most part. Well, we had been doing a lot of stuff he wanted recently, but not that I wanted, and I got really upset about it. He knew I liked musical theater, and I had been saying that I eventually wanted to see Jersey Boys, so one day, he asked me online if I wanted to do that that weekend. We knew about the rush policy, but being Chicago, we didn't know how early we should get down there. We ended up leaving his place in Evanston around 6:45 in the morning, and got there around 7:30 am. Of course there was nobody there, so we ate breakfast at McDonalds and then got back in line. We were the first ones there, adn had front row left aisle seats.
After putzing around the city for the rest of the morning, lunch, and some time after, we got to the theater around 1:30 for the 2pm matinee. Imagine our surprise when we realized how high the stage was. I think we were a little more than shocked. We sat on our feet the whole time, and I'm sure the person behind me couldn't see. Within the first 10 minutes I was mesmerized and hooked. Plus, there was some cute man candy on the stage, so that was a plus. I remember nearly screaming out in joy at intermission because I loved it so much. The end ended up being great too, and so much that when my boyfriend jokingly said that week "we should go see your play again next weekend," I took it seriously, and we were doing the rush thing again that next Saturday.
Since then I've been back two other times, and I'm going again to rush tomorrow as a break from final project hell. I can't wait!
Posted 5 years ago # -
Around Christmas 2005, my friend called me from Boston (I live in South Jersey) to tell me about a new play that just opened on Broadway about the Four Seasons. I ordered tickets but the wait list was long so didn't get to see the show until October 18, 2006. JLY was on vacation so I got to see Michael Longoria in the lead role. He was wonderful, but heard a lot of chatter about this JLY guy. So I went online and had to learn more about him. I too, wrote a fan letter (first fan letter since I was 11 and wrote to the Beatles!) To my surprise, JLY wrote back. I wrote another one, then another one and am still writing and still getting letters back. I then finally got tickets in July 2007 to see JLY on stage and he was wonderful -- worth the wait!!!
The only other play I saw more once was "Annie" ---many, many years ago.My office is now a Shrine to the Jersey Boys and John Lloyd Young.
Posted 5 years ago # -
My story is a little different because I met the cast at the stage door before I saw the show. Living in Jersey, I'd been hearing about how great this show was since it opened, so I did a little research (thank God for YouTube), and decided I absolutely had to see it. Unfortunately, I couldn't convince my friends to go because, as college students, the tickets were a bit out of our reach. But I figured, just because I haven't seen the show doesn't mean I can't meet the cast, whom I knew were amazing. I met them and got into a conversation with Christian Hoff and he told me about standing room tickets, which I'd never heard of! A few weeks later, a friend and I got SR tickets and were completely blown away. After the show I had to thank Christian for the tip, figuring he wouldn't remember me, but as soon as he saw me he said "Hello, you're back! Did it work? Did you get the tickets?" I told him yes, and that he had been wonderful in the show. I was amazed that he remembered me from several weeks earlier, considering how many people he meets at the stage door. He and the rest of the boys are truly great guys. I've since seen the show a second time and continue to be blown away.
Posted 5 years ago # -
I had gotten tickets for the show here in Houston because a friend wanted to see the show. I had not really thought about it one way or the other. Then another friend said they would like to see it so I got tickets for another performance. After I saw it the first time I WAS SOOOOO HOOKED, that I actually went to see it 6 times in total. I will be seeing it in London next Thursday and in Dallas in August. I am hooked and it is WONDERFUL!
Posted 5 years ago # -
I did not know anything about the show. I was looking for a b'day gift for my sister and saw an ad for JB coming to the Ahmanson. She was of that generation so I thought she would probably recognize and like the songs, at least. Being the mom-type who likes to do stuff with her kids (whether or not they want to), she dragged her two teenage sons with her. Wanting to make it a family thing, my two other sisters decided to tag along as well. Long story short, we were all blown away. My teenage nephews loved it. Quote from them: "The first musical we won't be embarrassed to admit to seeing and recommend to our guy friends." And that's how this family became JB fans:)
Posted 5 years ago #
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