Michael Longoria is Next Valli in 'Jersey Boys'

Michael Longoria, currently covering the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, will assume the lead role full-time beginning November 27; succeeding Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young.

In a statement to friends, Longoria said: "As to what the deal is regarding my future with Jersey Boys...I will take over the role of Frankie Valli in Broadway's Jersey Boys starting November 27, 2007. Thanks for all the love you guys and gals have sent my way on my comments page for the last year... I hope those of you who didn't get a chance to catch my Valli during the matinees this past year will come see me at night now!"

Longoria originated the role of Joey in Jersey Boys and is the understudy for the role of Frankie Valli, performing two matinees a week. Other credits: Broadway's Hairspray; regional Peter Pan and Wendy (Barrymore nomination), West Side Story and A Chorus Line. Longoria has performed at several New York concert venues and debuted his album "Under 1000 Shades of Blue" this year, available www.michaellongoria.com.

The roles of the other three Four Seasons will continue to be played by J. Robert Spencer (Nick Massi), Christian Hoff (Tommy DeVito) and Daniel Reichard (Bob Gaudio).

The cast also includes Travis Cloer, Kris Coleman, Colin Donnell, Ken Dow, Graham Fenton, Heather Ferguson, Donnie Kehr, John Leone, Jennifer Naimo, Dominic Nolfi, Joe Payne, Erica Piccininni, Sara Schmidt.

Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys won four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical and continues to break box office records at the August Wilson Theatre since opening in November 2005. Jersey Boys is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

"Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This 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," explain press notes.

The Jersey Boys design and production team comprises Klara Zieglerova (Scenic Design), Jess Goldstein (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (winner of the 2006 Tony Award for his Lighting Design of Jersey Boys), Steve Canyon Kennedy (Sound Design), Michael Clark (Projections Design), Charles LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Orich (Orchestrations) and Ron Melrose (Music Direction, Vocal Arrangements & Incidental Music).

For tickets and information visit www.JerseyBoysInfo.com.

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