The Broadway muscial “Jersey Boys” is welcoming two actors back to the production for limited engagements this summer and fall.
John Lloyd Young is the first, he returned to the Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys” on July 3, 2012 at the August Wilson Theatre. He will perform in the role of Frankie Valli until September 30. Young originated the role of Frankie Valli in the Broadway premiere of “Jersey Boys.” For his Broadway debut, John Lloyd Young is the only actor to receive a Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and a Theatre World Award.
The Washington Post previously stated, “[Jersey Boys] is dominated by the electric central presence of John Lloyd Young…In Young, a heretofore unheralded actor-singer, McAnuff has scored a major find. Compact of carriage, Young is an outsize presence with an astonishing ability to vocally channel Valli. His second-act delivery of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ exuberantly puts show-stopping finesse on display.”
Young’s past engagements have included playing Marius in “Les Miserables” at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. He has also appeared in the television hit sitcom Glee, and his debut musical album is scheduled to be released soon.
Jeremy Kushnier will take over the role of Tommy DeVito in the Tony award-winning musical “Jeresey Boys” on October 9. The current Tommy DeVito, Andy Karl, will give his last performance on October 7. Kushnier has past experience in this role. He originated the character of DeVito in the Chicago production of “Jersey Boys.” For this performance, Kushnier was named as one of the “Top 10 Great Chicago Performances of 2007.” He has also played DeVito in the Las Vegas and Toronto productions.
In 2007 the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones wrote, “You’ll enjoy Jeremy Kushnier’s superb performance as Tommy DeVito, the bad-boy of the band. All the requisite edge is there — but so is great charm and subtlety. He’s the best I’ve seen in this part.”
Recently, Kushnier played James the Lesser in “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Broadway, while also serving as an understudy for the roles of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. In the Broadway production of “Footloose,” Kushnier originated the role of Ren McCormick. He also appeared in touring productions of “Rent,” “Next to Normal,” and “Aida.”
Matt Bogart (Nick Massi) and Quinn VanAntwerp (Bob Gaudio) lead the current cast of “Jersey Boys” as the remaining Four Seasons.
“Jersey Boys” is based on the journey and music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Frankie Valli, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio, and Tommy DeVito were members of one of the 1960’s most popular and successful rock n’ roll groups. The musical documents the rise of the Four Seaons from their working class neighborhood, to selling 175 million records worldwide, to their break-up. The show includes many of the smash hits of the Four Seasons. Some of these songs are “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What A Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Working My Way Back To You.”
“Jersey Boys” opened on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre on November 6, 2005, and has won four Tony Awards to date. These include Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Featured Actor (Christian Hoff), and Best Lighting Design (Howell Binkley). In February 2007, Bob Gaudio, of the original Four Seasons, won a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album for “Jersey Boys.”
For a full schedule of performances visit the play’s official website.
