Jersey Boys Blog

Earlier this month, after seeing a fabulous Thursday evening performance of JERSEY BOYS Chicago with my pal Sid, she was dyin’ to see it again (okay, I was, too)! Although I had never had the opportunity to hang out in the Rush line in any city for last minute tickets, I thought, “And why not!” Since Sid’s conference workshop began at the crack of dawn, and mine didn’t begin until noonish on Friday, it was “like my mission” to hang out in the Rush line for tickets that Friday morning.

The Bank of America Theatre box office opened at 10am–so I checked with the cordial hotel bellman, who advised me to beat the crowds and get in line by 8:30. So, Friday, I took the bellman’s advice and was second to arrive at the Rush line. I armed myself with a fast-paced novel appropriately titled “Just Too Good to Be True” (I swear, I didn’t choose this book because of the title–I’ve read all of E. Lynn Harris’ novels over the last 15 years), a large iced coffee, and my cell phone! By 10:07, I had two front row tickets for Friday evening’s show!

Fast forward to Saturday night, after the Tech Half witnessed the Chicago cast’s phenomenal performance–it was a given that one (or both) of us would be in Sunday morning’s Rush line! On Sunday, the box office doesn’t open until 11am, so I kept an eye on the line, starting around 8:30. By 9, I saw two or three people out there, so it was the Tech Half’s idea to hang out in rotation. I volunteered for the first hour, so I could then take my high-maintenance-self back up to the hotel to begin the grooming process. So much fun chatting with the other big JB fans in the Rush line, and one savvy Rush regular advised the Tech Half to go to the coat check before the show began to ask for seat cushions for added comfort and height!

Although we’ve seen the show dozens of times, never, ever was it this up close and personal! So close, in fact, that you feel like you’re part of the cast!

Being in the front row at this theatre, you can see the little nuances going on all over the stage! When you’re several rows back, you might find yourself paying so much attention to the main characters, or to the person speaking at the time, but when you’re sitting in the Rush seats, you’re taken to a whole new level of JERSEY BOYS’ engagement!

After being so close to the action, I think we have a new appreciation for what the ensemble and swing cast members contribute to the overall show eight times a week! They’re all doing something at all times–sipping a drink, nodding, smiling, laughing, their characters chatting with each other quietly in various scenes, quickly making set changes–doing things that people do, making it more real. Up close, you can honestly see the things that make this show so tremendous!

At the “Who Loves You” big production finale, with the whole cast on stage–the Four Seasons, the Jersey Girls in their glittery dresses, along with every single cast member on stage, singing, playing instruments, and dancing on stage–it was awesome to watch the actors’ reactions to the audience’s adoration and gratitude during this amazing evening! You can’t get that anywhere else!

Being in the front row center at the Bank of America Theatre, you’re close enough to reach up and touch the cast, but my hand to God, if you try that–and you’ll be outta there in about twelve seconds!

And, just to let you know–if your woo woos are strong enough, you might just get a wink or a nod from one or two of the many talented cast members on stage!

How about your JERSEY BOYS’ Rush experiences?