Jeff Leibow (@JeffLeibow) Ends His Run in Jersey Boys Las Vegas in November to Direct NF Network
September 18th, 2014
Jeff Leibow
John Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Sun broke some sad news for JERSEY BOYS fans today:
In “Jersey Boys,” the character of Nick Massi is the first to leave the core group that was The Four Seasons. As he says to the audience, “I just want to go home.”Jeff Leibow, who has portrayed Massi on the Strip for more than six years, is going home, in a manner of speaking, to the cause that is his life passion.
He told the sold-out crowd at Composers Showcase in Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center on Wednesday night that he will be leaving “Jersey Boys” when his contract expires in November.
Leibow’s next calling is as a full-time director of NF Hope Foundation, which is the organization that raises funds and awareness to fight neurofibromatosis, or NF, as it is commonly known.
Emma Leibow, the daughter of Jeff and Melody, suffers from NF, which is a genetic disorder that attacks the nervous system to the point that the tumor suppressor gene is disabled.
Without warning, tumors can surface and grow on any nerve in the body. Leibow has led the fight against NF on the national level, taking the battle all the way to Congress, and has now been recruited to serve the foundation in that role full time.
He plans to remain in Las Vegas and is building toward the next all-star “NF Hope Concert” at Sands Showroom in the Venetian at 1 p.m. Oct. 19.
Leibow’s final performance in “Jersey Boys” at Paris Las Vegas is Nov. 23. He made his debut in the show when it opened at Palazzo in May 2008. Prior to joining the cast at Palazzo, Leibow played Massi in the show at Curran Theatre in San Francisco, and will have logged 2,800 performances over seven years when he finally leaves the cast.
To quote Frankie Valli, “Why does everybody leave?” We’ll miss Jeff so much in his role as Nick Massi in JB Vegas, but wish him all the best with the NF Network!
Have seen jersey boys over 50 times in Las Vegas mainly due to Jeff’s performance . Won’t be coming back won’t be the same without him. Wishing him all the best !
Comment by Karen Destefani — September 19, 2014 @ 3:22 pm
Our favorite Nick! We’ll miss Jeff so much, but want to wish him the very best in his endeavor. Please keep us posted about Jeff’s cause. All the best, Jeff, and thank you for many years of music, fun, and memories!
Comment by Rose — September 19, 2014 @ 3:50 pm
Wishing the Very Best to a great! guy..
Our Blessings Jeff, Melody, Emma on a cause close to home.
The Concert truly lights up the Vegas Strip even brighter for sure. To experience seeing the performers
with NF the talent that they share on that stage,Blew us away!!!!
We are Honored to be a part of NF. Foundation.
Much Love,
Comment by Patti-Massi-Candeliere — September 19, 2014 @ 9:38 pm