Hit musical Jersey Boys has recruited a new leading man in the form of West End regular Michael Watson who will officially take on the starring role as Frankie Valli from tonight’s performance.
The Essex-born actor’s first major West End role follows credits in numerous hit shows including We Will Rock You, Imagine This, Sister Act and Shrek The Musical.
Taking the red-coated lead following a stint in the Jersey Boys’ company as first understudy for the role, Watson will star alongside Edd Post, Jon Boydon and Matt Nalton to tell the thrilling story of four boys from New Jersey who rose to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks, becoming one of the world’s most successful pop bands.
Packed with hit songs by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons including Beggin’, Walk Like A Man and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning show opened in the West End in 2008 and has now been seen by a staggering 19 million people worldwide.
This number is now set to rise with the news that even more audience members will have the opportunity to see the show in the West End as it extends its booking period to 15 February.