Jersey Boys National Tour to Do ‘Some Time in Old Ohio’ Next Year!
November 16th, 2010
The JERSEY BOYS national tour production will be doing some time in Old Ohio next year–not just once but twice!
First, the Company will be making a triumphant return to Cleveland’s State Theatre (the JBB Tech Half’s hometown!) from June 22-July 17, 2011.
Then, the JB national tour will be heading to my hometown, Columbus at the Ohio Theatre from August 17 through September 4, 2011.Two of the current JB stars were in my old town last week to talk about the show. Here’s a preview of an article in The Lantern: :
JERSEY BOYS is expected to generate $4.2 million in ticket sales (they go on sale 3/24/11) said Bill Conner, president of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts.“We are very, very proud to host this stellar production,” Conner said during the musical’s Columbus launch party Monday night. “It helps make Columbus a little bigger.”
“You can’t say that (‘Jersey Boys’) is a little bit better than the other shows I’ve been in,” said Joseph Leo Bwarie, who plays the role of Four Season’s Frankie Valli. “It’s not a little bit better — it’s like a whole different universe. It’s the best thing I’ve ever been in; I don’t know if I’ll ever be in anything better.”
Bwarie, who started his acting career at age 8 on NBC’s “Highway to Heaven,” has also played roles in “Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” and “Valentine’s Day.”
“The show I was in before this one was ‘Lion King,’” said John Gardiner, an actor who plays 15 roles in the play. “I remember being onstage for the opening of (the ‘Lion King’) and thinking, ‘Wow, nothing could match the electricity of that crowd.’ But then I got in ‘Jersey Boys.’”
Bwarie said he attended “Frankie Camp,” a workshop in New York where prospective “Jersey Boys” actors practice singing Valli’s signature high notes.
“My voice hurts so much at the end of the night,” Bwarie said. He sings 27 of the 34 songs featured in the show.
Bwarie said Ohioans should have plenty to cheer about.
“Ohio pops up in the musical quite a bit because (The Four Seasons) played there a lot,” he said.
Hopefully someone will pay the hotel bill.
Comment by George O'Brien — November 16, 2010 @ 11:46 pm