It was last year at this time I announced in my column that Frankie Valli was returning to Chicago to do a one-night exclusive concert at The Chicago Theatre June 2, 2012.
While he was in the Windy City, we also had a return run of the Broadway hit "Jersey Boys," the story of Valli's life and career, that was playing just down the street.
On Thursday, March 21, 2013, the "Jersey Boys" production that's been happily nested in Sin City celebrated its fifth anniversary in Las Vegas by presenting a star to Valli and the Four Seasons on the "Las Vegas Walk of Stars" outside of the show's home at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.
Original Four Seasons group members Valli and Bob Gaudio were at the event to receive the commemorative star. It was the 64th star to be unveiled on Las Vegas Boulevard.
"It is a real honor to receive a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars in celebration of the show's fifth anniversary in this city," Valli said.
"Bob and I are thrilled to be here to accept the star and to celebrate this milestone with the talented cast."
In addition to unveiling the star, the ceremony also included a special performance by the cast of "Jersey Boys" to honor Valli and Gaudio.
"I can’t think of a better way to commemorate five years in Las Vegas than by presenting Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars," said "Jersey Boys" Producer Michael David.
"None of this would be possible without them and we are so pleased that Las Vegas audiences, as well as audiences across the globe, have continued to embrace this show."
Ever since this stage musical launched, and enjoyed a long run in the Windy City, it has had audiences of every generation enjoying and re-discovering the hits of yesteryear from the group.
"We know "Jersey Boys" has been an incredible addition to Paris Las Vegas over the past year," said David Hoenemeyer, regional president of Paris Las Vegas.
"We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with this award-winning production."
Later that evening, Valli and Gaudio also attended the fifth anniversary performance of "Jersey Boys," joining the cast onstage for a special presentation after the show to share in the incredible achievement.
I'm told "Jersey Boys" has entertained guests in Las Vegas for nearly 2,000 performances since opening in 2008. And the show has performed at its current home, Paris Las Vegas, since March 2012.
I'm also told over the past five years, more than 2,000 hours have been spent maintaining wigs; 376,000 full cast costume changes taken place; the stairs have been climbed 122,000 times; and more than one million cues have been called.
On the heels of the incredible success of the show worldwide, GK FILMS is currently in development on the feature film adaptation of the "Jersey Boys" musical. Set to begin production at the end of 2013, the film will be produced by GK FILMS' Graham King with Valli and Gaudio serving as executive producers.
"Jersey Boys" performs in the Paris Théâtre at Paris Las Vegas at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 5 and 8:15 p.m. Saturdays and is dark on Monday. Ticket prices range from $48 to $168 plus all applicable taxes and LET fees.
"Jersey Boys" is the story of Valli and The Four Seasons, which was comprised of Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. It is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty. The show features hits such as "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Oh, What a Night" and many more.
"Jersey Boys" is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The Las Vegas production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. It has scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projections design by Michael Clark. The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music direction and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose.
For additional information, visit JerseyBoysVegas.com.
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