Happy Eighth Anniversary to Jersey Boys Broadway!
November 6th, 2013
On November 6, 2005, JERSEY BOYS opened on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre to fantastic reviews! Today, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical is celebrating EIGHT smash years on Broadway, along with being the longest running show in the history of the August Wilson Theatre, and is currently at #15 on the list of longest-running Broadway shows of all time!! And of course, as of yesterday, it was announced that JERSEY BOYS will be hitting the silver screen on June 20, 2014!
Congratulations & happy EIGHTH anniversary to the JB current and former cast and crew members, the creative team, and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons!
Let’s make this BIG milestone a trending topic all over Twitter with the hashtag #Happy8thJerseyBoysBroadway!
JBB & Podcast Facebook & Twitter followers have been posting JB birthday greetings and we would love for Jersey Boys Blog readers to share your well wishes, anniversary greetings, and your favorite JERSEY BOYS Broadway memories!
My very first memory related to the show, which was 8 years ago this month, was looking for ticket information online after my husband suggested we go for our anniversary. This was the first Broadway show I’d seen since high school that wasn’t for the purpose of taking my daughter (Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Music Man….you get the idea). I rarely used the internet in 2005 and landed on a kaleidescope-looking page playing “Ces soirees-la!” Oops, wrong country, I figured.
Well, we got tickets for the Wednesday matinee on November 30. The show and the crowd were great. The two scenes that stuck with me that day was DeVito’s ‘buy me out’ bit and the Gaudio’s ‘if you don’t take both songs, you don’t get either’ threat.
I went home and looked up JLY’s website, which opened up a whole world – mostly the JB Blog here! But I also loved watching the rehearsal and opening night videos which used to be available on the show’s site. (Sad that those were taken down.)
I went back in May – 3 times, which was unthinkable. After all, I not only didn’t see shows without my daughter, but I rarely went into the city. There was no turning back after that.
I remember going to see Daniel Reichard that month performing (for a friend of his as a favor) at a local high school. That’s when I asked what ‘vig’ meant…and every time I saw him that year I think I referenced, “I’m the one who asked you what vig meant.” My life was an epitome of INTEREST!
In June I went to the theater just to get future tickets hours because the show was destined to win the Tony; caught JLY going in for the matinee. Before the summer was over, I met producer Michael David, Rick and Marshall; I saw Des perform with the boys at Rockers on Broadway and caught Daniel’s ‘Glory Daze’ at Joe’s Pub (possibly the highlight of a nonstop, phenomenal summer).
The show, and everyone I’ve met through the JB Blog, has been a game changer. The anniversary party two years ago was a wonderful acknowledgement by the producers of the family we’re all a part of – whether you’ve seen the show once, you’re still meaning to, or you’re trying to catch up to Jo-Ann’s 330 and counting. Thanks to the cast members, past and present, who give their all in every performance, day in and day out, with the edge and excitement that we‘ve come to count on. We never take your professionalism for granted. Here’s to many more anniversaries and the good times they represent.
Comment by Audrey — November 6, 2013 @ 10:54 am
Wow, Audrey! Your summary of the last eight years of Jersey Boys Broadway was priceless! “I’m tearing up…” to quote another line from the show!
And thanks for the Jersey Boys Blog shout-out! None of this could have happened…without you & our other JB Blog Special Correspondents & of course,
our loyal blog readers!
Family is everything!
Comment by JB Blogger — November 6, 2013 @ 11:51 am
I’ve always wanted to say to the Broadway cast (as well as the National Tour, Vegas, and Chicago cast) that my appreciation for the show and everyone involved is endless. To be able to be so engrossed in the show and to forget the sometimes stressful things going on in our lives for those 2+ hours has been such a wonderful gift; one I never take for granted. Congrats on 8 years and here’s to many, many more.
Comment by Lynn — November 6, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
Hey there. I just wanted to say thanks to Audrey for pleasure of sharing her memories, and to Ms. Skarl for this site and the quality of this site, and to everybody on stage and off who have made, and continue to make, Jersey Boys such an amazing ride. Never in my wildest dreams, as they say. And to be along for this ride is such a privilege. Lots of love to everybody, happy 8th anniversary, and many happy returns! xRick
Comment by Rick Elice — November 7, 2013 @ 8:59 am
Thank you so much, Rick–for your kind words & support of JBB! Because of your & Marshall Brickman’s brilliant, funny, & touching storytelling (and of course Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons), everyone all over the world keeps returning to Jersey Boys!
Comment by JB Blogger — November 7, 2013 @ 9:23 am
My wife and I actually saw it the first week it opened in October 2005.
Row # 2 first 2 seats.
We both thought that JLY and Christian each had an excellent chance of picking up a Tony Award, as well as the whole show winning one.
We met JLY and went on a backstage tour the next time we came in to see him in 2006.
But still, 8 years later and still selling out many nights on Broadway and worldwide.
The show has been seen by something like 12 million people.
WOW!!!!
Jerry …
Comment by Jerry — November 7, 2013 @ 11:43 am
Seeing the show on Broadway was such a great experience. Hope we can get back there soon. Congratulations to cast and entire crew!
Comment by Rose — November 7, 2013 @ 4:40 pm
I saw Jersey Boys the 1st time it was playing in previews.i loved it ! Of course JLY was in it The 2nd time I don’t know who it was and he was not so good , but the rest of the cast saved it. Third time Jarrod Spector was great ! I didn’t make the 6 th anniversay party, just short of getting in . Week later I was told to response in48 hrs
I wasn’t on my computer , so again I missed it .
Thanks to Audrey I felt like I didnt miss the party. HAPPY 8 th. ANNIVERSARY .JERSEY BOYS.
THEA
Comment by Thea — November 8, 2013 @ 12:27 am
This comment from another Audrey:
I am an avid Frankie Valli fan. Have been for years. I thought I was breaking some kind of record, when I went to see this fabulous show…three times. I would love to see it again and again like many of you, but due to some health situations in the family, cannot get to NYC too frequently now. It was very enlightening to see the story of Frankie’s life and his rise to stardom along with the 4 Seasons.
His music is my favorite of all time. I have seen Frankie and the Four Seasons as many times as they appear locally. Never get tired of those songs or Frankie’s performance. CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE. To All those who have brought JERSEY BOYS to so many stages around the world…Thank you. You have brought so much great entertainment to so many. And to Frankie and the 4 Seasons..We will love you forever.
Comment by Audrey G. — November 9, 2013 @ 11:06 pm