The Tony and Olivier Award-winning Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” was performed for the first time in Jacksonville Tuesday evening at the Times-Union Center.
The local premier was the start of a 24-performance run that ends April 1, part of the Artist Series presents “Broadway in Jacksonville” season.
The show tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Valli and Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi became one of the biggest American pop music acts in history.
The group released its first album in 1962 and saw “Sherry” reach No. 1 on the charts. It was followed by “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Candy Girl,” “Ain’t That a Shame” and other Top 40 hits.
By 1970, the group’s popularity had diminished, but not before the quartet had sold 175 million records worldwide.
“Jersey Boys” is a tribute concert that includes the back story of what went on behind the scenes of the Four Seasons, said Steven Schnepp, president of Broadway Booking Office NYC, which is coordinating the national tour of the show.
The four main characters are joined by a cast of 21 actors and dancers that follow 15 tractor-trailers full of sets, sound equipment and lighting from city to city on the tour.
Eighteen technicians travel with the show and about 35 local stagehands are hired to load in the automated sets and lights.
“It looks simple from the audience, but it takes a lot to put on the show,” said Doug Rogers, company manager.
One truck contains only the hundreds of costumes seen in the production, each one accurate to its time period down to the shoes, he said.
For show dates and times and ticket information, visit artistseriesjax.org.
356-2466