Photo Coverage of Jersey Boys Fans Unite to Support BC/EFA Event!
October 23rd, 2007Many Jersey Boys’ fans had the once in a lifetime opportunity this past Sunday evening to mingle with Jersey Boys’ cast members, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and legendary Four Seasons’ members Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, Joe Long, and Frankie Valli at the Jersey Boys Fans Unite to Support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS event held at the View Bar at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.
Photos courtesy of Linda Lenzi at BroadwayWorld.com.
(I posted this on the JB Bulletin Board, but wanted to share it with the other fans as well…..)
As a temporary NY/NJ’er from SF to the East and back, I never forgot the sights and the kind and friendly people back East. It was evident on the 21st when I attended the BC/EFA sponsored event to fight AIDS organized by the Eizens, Irene and Buz, and Eisner, LLP represented by David Cace.
To the original Four Seasons: Thanks for your time at the event, the music and great entertainment you’ve given to the masses! It was an extreme pleasure meeting you all and an honor receiving your autographs and photos! I remember attending a concert in the SF area while I was a teen and Frankie remembered it too as well….. Thanks Frankie, Bob, Joe and Tommy!
To the OBC cast of Jersey Boys: Thank you for being so very kind and friendly as well as the greatest actors on B’way! I’ve watched you all via teasers, talk show appearances and interviews on TV, but meeting you all in person was a dream come true! Thanks to John for recognizing me immediately at the table, asking about how my sons are and for your help with my son’s drama booster club! Thanks to Bobby for your time, portraying Nick in a manner that totally honors him better than he thought of himself and we definitely hope you’re feeling much better than on Sunday! Thanks to Christian, who shares the same birthtown as I do, the inspirational inscription with your autograph and for your kind words of encouragement for my son’s play. Thanks to Daniel for your gift of song as a talented singer, the time to chat, personalizing my autograph and especially for posing with Bob Gaudio together for my camera! Thanks to the supporting cast and hope for further success!
Individually:
Frank Rovello, with your entertaining and truly informational “Four Seasons” website and contributions to the blog.
BC/EFA: Thanks to Mike and crew for a “great night out”, your tireless work in making this event a reality, holding a great auction with all “one of a kind” JB items, and for your work in finding a cure for AIDS with the help of Broadway and National Touring casts of all plays/musicals!
Irene and Buz Eizen, “philanthropists extraordinaire”, passionate about helping their fellow man and the best parents and friends anyone could ask for.
Charles Alexander has a great way with words and is a vital part of the Jersey Boys family with insightful written contributions to everything “Jersey Boys”.
Howard Tucker – “Superfan”, hugehearted, very insightful contributor to the blog/board and the kindest person anyone can ever meet!
Damaris, Audrey, Wanda, Linda, and Beverley, “Superfans” from the East, very gracious, it was my pleasure meeting you, you are all very friendly, knowledgable about the play and your passion for “Jersey Boys” is unrivaled!
Susie and Dale – What can I say….. It was great finally meeting the “dynamic duo” who started this bulletin board and blog for which all fans can share ideas, hear news about our favorite musical and actors, are very kind hearted people and are among the most genuine people you can meet!
Eastcoasters/Midwesterners/Floridians and WestCoasters: It was great sharing ideas and news about the Jersey Boys and brainstorming tips on how to score those elusive August Wilson tix! Thanks for being so knowledgable and friendly because even though I was nodding off at the lounge (sorry….. jetlag…..), you kept me up with your interesting topics and discussions, of which I gladly put my “two cents” in….. I hope you had safe trips home and hope for more of these meetings in the future!
I’m just thankful for that chance to meet you all and I hope to meet you again soon!
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — October 23, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
How come the actual organizers of the event (i.e. Irene, David and Charles) are not in any of the pictures? I understand the BCEFA sponsored this but let’s face it if not for the three of them this would not have happened.
Comment by JP — October 23, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
Hi, Mike,
It was great being with you at the event on Sunday. Thank you the eloquent tribute you post above. I am honored to have met you in the West, to have enjoyed JB SF with your family and to have celebrated with you on Sunday. IE
Comment by irene eizen — October 23, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
No one can top Mike’s comment. Thanks, Mike, for your kind words and for taking the time to express fully what we were all feeling. You captured how we all were part of one big happy family.
To Irene and David, your vision and drive made the evening perfect.
To Susie and Dale, we couldn’t be having all this fun in this forum without your energy and initiative and love of JB.
To Howard, you gave a close friend of mine one of the best nights of his life. What an act of generosity, my friend.
To Beverley, I’m sure if you thought about it, you could draw up a list of the dates on which you have seen JB. Think about who you saw it with or what understudies were on that night. Then keep that list up to date. You and I have a competition going that’s going to last a long time.
To Audrey, It was nice to see you again. Hint: the most valuable autograph you got is not mine.
To everyone else I met, it was a pleasure.
Finally, you have to be a Seasons fan for at least 40 years to get the full thrill of seeing all Four Seasons together again. This wasn’t just a party. It was history. Cheers, Charles
Comment by Charles Alexander — October 23, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
History indeed Charles. First time the 4 Seasons shared a stage together in over 35 years. Was this like being in an [expletive deleted] “time machine or what?” Quoting you from your wonderful foreword to the new Jersey Boys book, it was a “religious experience.”
Comment by David Cace — October 24, 2007 @ 7:49 am
There’s not much to add to the above. Charles and David, you had to mention it for to realize we had a complete Four Seasons group (Frankie, Bob, Tommy, and Joe)in attendance!
Re our helping each other, in whatever capacity, no one is keeping a scorecard. I can’t think of a witty response, Mike and Charles, so I’ll just say I’ve gotten far more than I’ve given in the past year and a half. Sometimes I wonder which higher power has seen fit to bless me so wonderfully. Thanks again, all.
Comment by Howard Tucker — October 24, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
Howard,
You do so much for others and are so kind to everyone. You should be blessed wonderfully! And you have given much more than you are saying. You too humble! IE
Comment by irene eizen — October 24, 2007 @ 3:54 pm