What’s it all about?
This Broadway import tells the story of four blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks and how they became one of the most successful bands of the 1960s and 70s. Those boys’ names were Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, and that band was Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
After its 2006 premiere on Broadway, Jersey Boys started its West End run in February 2008 at the Prince Edward Theatre, where it enjoyed a six-year Stay. In March 2014, the show said Bye Bye Baby to its original venue and Walked Like A Man across Soho to the Piccadilly Theatre, where audiences’ eyes – and ears – continue to adore the production as it approaches its eighth anniversary in London.
Casting coup
The actor who originally played Bob Gaudio in the West End was Olivier Award winner Stephen Ashfield, who walked away with the Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical prize for his portrayal of Elder McKinley in another Broadway import, The Book Of Mormon, last year.
Ashfield performed in the original West End cast alongside Ryan Molloy, who gave a staggering six years of his career to the role of Frankie Valli before leaving in March 2014. He was succeeded by John Lloyd Young, the actor who originated the part on Broadway. In 2012, Molloy alternated the title role with former S Club 7 star Jon Lee.
Fascinating fact
Frankie Valli was born Francis Stephen Castelluccio, but took on the name by which he is known today from his early mentor, country singer Texas Jean Valley.
Olivier Awards history
Jersey Boys was nominated for five Olivier Awards at the 2009 ceremony before taking home arguably the most coveted prize of all, Best New Musical.
Since then, the production has made the Audience Award shortlist twice. Could it be third time lucky for the boys in red?
They say…
“We’re just desperate to get our hands on one of those awards. All the West End shows are hits because people go and see them and keep going to see them, so it’s nice for the audience to have a say. To get voted for by the public would be amazing.
“I’ve been in [the show] for just coming up to five years and I’m staying for six. It’s a real roller-coaster because you can have a year where you don’t get as far as the shortlist and then you can have a year where you’re in the shortlist. The closer and closer it gets the more and more you want to win.” Jersey Boys’ Jon Boydon
We say…
Featuring more than 30 of the band’s greatest hits, Jersey Boys is the epitome of a great jukebox musical, with all your favourite tunes, a gripping storyline and incredible performances. Who Loves You? The boys from New Jersey certainly will if you give them your vote.
You can keep up to date with all the Oliviers news in the run-up to the ceremony on 12 April by visiting Official London Theatre or following the Olivier Awards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Jersey Boys is booking at the Piccadilly Theatre until 25 October. You can book tickets through us here.