Jersey Boys Chicago Ends on a High Note!
January 10th, 2010
With the JERSEY BOYS Chicago Company ending their phenomenal run today in the Windy City, the Chicago press is covering the amazing impact that the hit show has had on the city and its fans!
CBS 2′s Vince Gerasole: A crowd of 1,800 said “Who loves you?” one last time with the Chicago cast of “Jersey Boys” Sunday. After more than two years, the show is closing.
It’s exciting to note that one of Jersey Boys Blog frequent commenters, Jim Schreier was featured in this piece: Jim Schreier from Milwaukee is actually seeing the production for the 43rd time Sunday, he’s even made a poster to document his experience.
“There are parts of this show that bring tears to my eyes every time and today’s going to be really bad,” Schreier said.
“The people of Chicago kept us employed and our heat on and the fact we’ve been able to help our community in any way is wonderful, ” Michael Ingersoll said.
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, Theater Loop Blog: But while all closings are emotional, there’s no question that “Jersey Boys,†which has been kept in top form and looked as good Sunday as on its opening night, exceeded all reasonable expectations in Chicago and proved that shows other than “Wicked” could sit down here and thrive.
“It has been incredible in Chicago,†said Michael David, the lead producer, on hand to throw his cast and crew a party.
The final show Sunday afternoon was an emotional affair both behind and in front of the curtain. Former cast members filled the Bank of America Theatre’s boxes. The show stopped for several standing ovations. And despite the show’s apparent macho gestalt, the wings were filled with actors and musicians hugging and crying.
Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman, the authors of (conveniently) both “Jersey Boys†and “The Addams Family,†took the stage at the “Jersey Boys†curtain call, with Elice noting that “what we thought was going to be a 10-week stint†had, in fact, turned into a run seen by 1.3 million people. “This has to be the most spectacular opening night I have ever experienced,†Brickman joked, clearly moved by the emotion of the occasion.
Also visit the Chicago Tribune to read the “Timeline of JERSEY BOYS Chicago,” which includes photos and links to articles about the hit show.
There are no real words to express what happened yesterday at the Bank of America Theater. Even though this event should not have taken place in a city that is supposed to be one of the greatest in the nation, it was the best show ever held here in Chicago (and I’ve seen quite a few, including Wicked). The cast really outdid themselves to make this the most memorable and emotional show for everyone. Maybe some day they will reunite here and we can have another “Grand Re-Opening”.
Thank you one and all of the cast of Jersey Boys from the beginning (October 6, 2007) to the finale (January 10, 2010) and thank you Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman for such a wonderful and memorable experience. Good luck in all your endeavors.
P.S.: I’m still in tears.
Comment by Mitzi Opon — January 11, 2010 @ 9:58 am
I just want to echo all of the platitudes offered by the previous bloggers and want to offer my sincere thanks to Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman for bringing Frankie, Bob, Nick and Tommy’s story to the stage. For a lifetime 4 Seasons’ fan, it was like reliving my earlier years through their wonderful music. My kids and grandkids were immersed in 4 Seasons music and having Frankie hold of my daughter’s hands and singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You†to her when she was just seven (now 23) at a concert at the Star Plaza in Merrillville, IN and then kissing her hand at the conclusion made her a fan for life. Frankie kissed one of my grand daughter’s hands at a recent Chicago concert and another 4 Seasons fan was born. But the wonderful Chicago Jersey Boy cast(s) made all the memories come alive again with special thanks to Jon Michael Dias for a wonderful portrayal of Frankie. We had the opportunity to meet them at a luncheon with Frankie and the JB cast last year and realized what great guys they were. Can’t wait until they are “working their way back to us†here in Chicago. Thanks again Rick, Marshall, Frankie, Bob, Nick and Tommy!
Comment by Stan Burczyk — January 19, 2010 @ 4:49 pm