Jersey Boys Celebrates One in a Million!
October 6th, 2007By Audrey Rockman, Jersey Boys Blog Special Correspondent
When Robin Becker, Belleville resident since moving from Oklahoma in 1974, signed up for a tour last spring to see Jersey Boys, she had no idea that the wheels were being set in motion for her debut on a Broadway stage. Fast forward to dinner Tuesday night when the Broadway Shows Tour Coordinator handed a pack of tickets out and said “Take one”. One was all it took…Robin took seat V-8. This was Robin’s first time at Jersey Boys, although as she says, everyone in Belleville has a story to tell about the guys who made up or were affiliated with the famous Four Seasons.
Robin was approached at intermission while her husband and friend were getting something to drink, by Boneau/Bryan-Brown and was told that her ticket was the millionth sold, and that at the end of the performance, she would be called up on stage with the cast. Robin decided not to tell her husband when he returned and sat through the second Act with her heart pounding as she pondered what was in store.
She was happy with the seat, well… of course! But now that she knows a little about the place, she will ask about those seat cushions available for the vertically challenged. She was reassured that stairs would be provided to access the stage from the seating area. She was ready.
“Being called up was an incredibly exciting experience,” Robin said. She had a chance to meet the cast and go backstage while everyone, including Rick Elice, signed the poster presented to her. She said she has been talking, not just about the amazing experience, but also about the show that she found so mesmerizing. She and her friend chatted the day after about the creative, symbolic use of the catwalk–as it represented those coming and going in the lives of the characters.
Robin was thrilled with her Broadway debut and is confident that she’ll be back… well before number 2,000,000!
Photos courtesy of Walter McBride/Retna Ltd at BroadwayWorld.com.
OH WAHT A NIGHT!!!!!!
Congrats Robin. That must have been fantastic. I don’t know how she kept her cool & didn’t say anything during the second act to her husband. I have met & talked with the cast a few times….ALL ARE WARM, FRIENDLY & JUST THE NICEST BUNCH OF PEOPLE YOU CAN EVER MEET. Wishing every one at JB’s BWY & all the tours, Vegas, UK & Canada continued success in all that you do.
Stacey S. from Staten Island NY
Comment by Stacey S. — October 6, 2007 @ 10:55 am
GREAT pictures and story!
Comment by Carla — October 6, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
I couldn’t believe it when I learned that the 1 Millionth ticket was from a resident of Belleville NJ – where it all began! What are the odds of that? Congratulations Robin!
Comment by Angel — October 6, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Great story Audrey. How cool that’s she’s from Belleville New Jersey!! Hope she doesn’t go shopping Jersey style!!
Comment by LindaL — October 6, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Belleville, NJ–four nights ago–four great guys harmonizing with the millionth customer! Des couldn’t even have directed it this perfectly in one take! Congratulations, Robin–one take and the whole world exploded!
Nice story as always, Audrey, and great picture show, with the guys obviously so engaging and welcoming. I’d love to know what Christian was reacting to (with one of his priceless expressions) in slide #29. Audrey, any insight into that??
Comment by Howard Tucker — October 6, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
Howard,
Christian’s reaction was to Robin’s answer of Belleville when Christian asked her where she was from.
Comment by Frank — October 6, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
Great re-cap Audrey! You captured the joy of a once in a lifetime experience,
Comment by LuluThompson — October 6, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
That’s awesome! Man, it’s amazing; one million tickets! And just short of their two year anniversary of opening. Everything seems to come together at the right time.
Comment by Carson S. — October 6, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
Robin has to be a great actress to keep this from her husband! Wow! I would be jumping out of my seat! What a treat.!Good for you, Robin.
Comment by THEA — October 7, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Thanks for all the comments and support. It started out as a night at the theater, but turned into something so much bigger!!! When I was informed that I had been selected as the 1,000,000th ticket holder, I started looking around for the candid camera.My friend who organized the bus trips was sitting in front of me. She couldn’t believe it.. My husband and friend were in the lobby, so I asked everyone around that knew what was going on to keep quiet, because I wanted to surprise them. When they came back to the seats, they both said they thought that Frankie Valli was in the lobby. They were sure it was him. All I could think of was that he was going to be there for the presentation. Needless to say , that was false information. When the announcement was made, I went to the stage in a surreal state, and stayed that way till I got back on the bus. It was truly magical, and I will never ever forget it!!! My mother – in-law is 90 years old, and was hospitalized this weekend. She told everyone that would listen in the emergency room about me being 1 in and 1,000,000!! Thanks again for my 15 minutes of fame!!! Robin Becker, Belleville, NJ
Comment by Robin Becker — October 8, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
Hi Robin,
I just read your story and it put a smile on my face. It was meant to be, you being the 1,000,000, ticket holder and from Belleville N.J.
I am happy for you and glad you got to experience this wonderful cast who always brings joy to many of us each night they perform on stage. The whole cast is wonderful. Glad you enjoyed the show.
Comment by Damaris Dugan — October 8, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
Robin,
Thanks so much for posting your thoughts about that night! You must have been so excited! This is like winning the lottery. How did your husband react and what did he say to you when this was announced? You probably need to come to see the show again, because I don’t know how you could concentrate during the second act knowing that you were going to be called up on the stage. Your pictures of that night are wonderful. I hope you can get some of them enlarged, and you will have to get them signed by the cast. Your fame can and will continue! You will have to return to honor the two millionth visitor to Jersey Boys. This show is so good. I don’t think it will ever leave Broadway anytime soon. But you will always have the distinction of being the first. Do you know about the special tribute to the cast on October 21st? It would be wonderful if you and your husband could attend. Information about that night is located in the upper right hand corner of this blog.
Comment by Beverley Micciche — October 8, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Hi Robin:
First of call congratulations. The pictures were just great. How did you remain so calm, cool and collected and didn’t even tell your husband. It must have been so exciting to be called up on stage and meet the entire csst. What an experience! You probably will never be the 1 MIL person again for anthing but maybe 2 MIL for something just as exciting.
Comment by Phyllis Crispo — October 9, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
Hi Robin, I’m so glad that that evening was so special for you. You deserved all the glitz and glamour they had to offer. I was so excited for when you got on stage with all the cast and said your most famous line: “I’m from Belleville, NJ.” How appropriate. I know you many many years and you are a true friend. I’d like to thank you for always being there and caring. To my “one-in-a-million friend”, you may come in a small package but you stand 10 feet tall.
Comment by Patti Vitanzo — October 13, 2007 @ 11:51 pm