The California company's artistic director Des McAnuff (Dracula) stages the new musical which began previews Oct. 5 for a run at the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre through Nov. 21.
Hoff (The Who's Tommy) as Tommy DeVito, Noroña (Love! Valour! Compassion!) as Frankie Valli, Reichard (Radiant Baby,The Thing About Men) as Bob Gaudio and Spencer (Sideshow, Lucky Duck) as Nick Massi star as The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys. The cast also includes Sarah Avery, Tituss Burgess, Marisa Echeverría, Steve Gouveia, Peter Gregus, Donnie Kehr, Jennifer Naimo and Sean Smith.
Jersey Boys centers on the musical group The Four Seasons and how four blue-collar guys — Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi — grew to become the singing sensation behind such hits as "Rag Doll," "Sherry," "Big Girls Don’t Cry," "Oh What a Night" and "Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You."
Book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice along with composer Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe combine to create Jersey Boys with director McAnuff. Sergio Trujillo serves as choreographer, Ron Melrose handles musical direction and orchestrations are provided by Steve Orich.
The design team of Jersey Boys features Klara Zieglerova (scenic), Jess Goldstein (costume), Howell Binkley (lighting), Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound) and Michael Clark (projection). "After years of being a fan of Bob Gaudio's songwriting," McAnuff stated in a release, "I finally got to know him eight years ago. It became clear to us that The Four Seasons' story, the quintessential rock and roll from 'rags to riches' tale, is highly theatrical."
Director McAnuff has earned two Tony Awards for his direction of The Who's Tommy and Big River. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying and A Walk in the Woods. The busy director's slate includes the current Broadway run of Dracula, The Musical, the upcoming Billy Crystal solo 700 Sundays and the planned revival of The Wiz.
Tickets to Jersey Boys at The Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive in La Jolla, CA can be purchased by phone at (858) 550-1010 or online at www.lajollaplayhouse.com.
