Jersey Boys for New Zealand
Opens at The Civic in Auckland in April 2012
The Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown, today (July 27) announced that Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons will open at The Civic in Auckland in April 2012.
The show's producers have also announced the show's last weeks in Sydney today.
Len Brown said that Jersey Boys has been secured in line with the new Major Events strategy for Auckland. “Jersey Boys is world-class and the biggest musical to visit Auckland for some time. It will attract many visitors to the city, showcasing Auckland as an entertainment destination. The teams at Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) have done a great job securing this event for Auckland.”
Jersey Boys opened in Melbourne in July 2009 and played for 13 months before transferring to Sydney’s Theatre Royal in September 2010, where it is currently playing and recently celebrated it's second birthday. Over 1,000,000 people will have seen the show in Melbourne and Sydney by the end of the year. It then comes direct to Auckland.
Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is the story of how four blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop sensations of all time. Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi joined forces to become The Four Seasons, writing their own hits and developing their unique sound to sell over 175 million records before they were 30!
Broadway Producer, Michael David, from Dodger Theatricals said – “We are thrilled to bring JERSEY BOYS to New Zealand. This story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons has captivated nearly 13 million fans in productions worldwide, and now it is our fondest hope that New Zealand will embrace Jersey Boys in the same way. The show is chock full of classic Four Seasons showstopping songs and a story that is all the more riveting because it’s true. With an extraordinary cast, we believe Jersey Boys will engage theatergoers and send them dancing out of the Civic Theatre! The remarkable partnership of Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio indelibly sealed by a handshake agreement over 40 years ago will resonate with New Zealand audiences who will identify with the importance of honour and integrity in this touching tribute to the power of loyalty between friends.”
Jersey Boys features 20 Four Seasons hit songs including “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Rag Doll”, “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”.
Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, choreography by Sergio Trujillo and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys – The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons won four 2006 Tony Awards®including Best Musical and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2009.
In Australia Jersey Boys won two Helpmann Awards being Best Musical and Best Music Direction of a Musical and seven Victorian Green Room Awards. The Jersey Boys Original Cast Recording also received a 2006 Grammy Award®for Best Musical Show Album. Currently there are five productions worldwide including Broadway, Las Vegas, US National tour, London and Sydney, with a 2ndUS National tour to commence in 2012.
Producer, Rodney Rigbysaid, “Auckland will join the world’s leading cities to host Jersey Boys. Together in partnership with RFA and ATEED we are working to ensure that Jersey Boys is a new reason for New Zealanders from across the country to visit this great city.”
“Jersey Boys is a great theatrical event with enormous universal appeal” said Paul Dainty, Producer. “A true story about four guys who rose to fame creating some of the best loved music ever heard is the reason why Jersey Boys is such an international hit”.
An announcement of a date for Tickets On Sale will be made in the near future.
Photographs from the Australian production. Photographer Jeff Busby.
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