After auditioning 450 artists nationwide, the four leading men cast by Broadway director Des McAnuff to play coveted roles in the internationally acclaimed hit musical Jersey Boys have been announced ahead of its keenly anticipated season at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in September 2018.
The dynamic cast is a combination of exciting and emerging Australian talent. Stepping into the illustrious shoes of the charismatic singer Frankie Valli is Bernard Angel (My Fair Lady, The Lion King), who played Joe Pesci in the original Australian production.
He will be joined by Cameron MacDonald (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, American Idiot) as Tommy DeVito, Thomas McGuane as Bob Gaudio making his career debut after graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts, and Glaston Toft (The Bodyguard, Georgy Girl) – reprising his celebrated portrayal of the band’s musical marvel Nick Massi.
“I’m thrilled to be coming back next year with our glistening new production,” said Jersey Boys director, Des McAnuff. “We have now taken The Four Seasons around the world but all of us involved in the show regard Australia as our favourite destination. The new company is nonpareil…”
The success of Jersey Boys is due to the unforgettable, timeless songs and compelling story. Co-writer of the book, Marshall Brickman, said: “The songs that are part of the world’s soundtrack and the story that moved millions to laughter and tears, is more alive than ever. A wildly-talented new cast will take you back to the first time you saw Jersey Boys and had to go back a second time, and a third, to make sure you weren’t hallucinating…”.
Jersey Boys tells the true-life story of four guys from the wrong side of the tracks, the rise to stardom of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, one of the most successful bands in pop music history. The band sold more than 175 million records and were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame for their worldwide hits, including Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Walk Like a Man, Bye Bye Baby, Sherry and Big Girl’s Don’t Cry, which all feature in the musical.
The original Australian production of Jersey Boys opened in Melbourne in July 2009, and after 13 months the show moved to Sydney where it played for a further 15 months, making it one of the longest running musicals in both cities. Following a season in New Zealand, Jersey Boys returned to Australia, playing Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and a return Melbourne season.
Jersey Boys is the 12th longest musical in Broadway history and has played to over 25 million worldwide. It has won 64 honours and awards worldwide including the 2010 Helpmann Award, 2006 Tony Award and Olivier Award for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Jersey Boys continues to tour throughout the United States, United Kingdom and is opening Off Broadway this November.
Jersey Boys plays at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 29 August 2018 (Opening Night – 6 September) for a strictly limited season. Tickets go on sale Friday 27 October 2017. For more information, visit: www.jerseyboys.com.au for details.
Image: Cameron MacDonald, Bernard Angel, Thomas McGuane, Glaston Toft to star in the new Australian production of the Jersey Boys – photo by Brian Geach