Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, JERSEY BOYS Is A Groundbreaking Jukebox Musical, 2006

By: Jun. 03, 2016
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Welcome to BroadwayWorld's Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, a look at some of the Tony Awards' most memorable moments from the past three decades.

Jukebox musicals weren't exactly the most respected genre on Broadway when Jersey Boys opened in October of 2005. Sure, they were popular - especially a smash called MAMMA MIA! - but the difficulty of taking pre-existing songs and fitting them into a new plot created more than one show that was dramatically lacking.

Bookwriters Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman changed that with their Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons bio-musical Jersey Boys, by using hit songs realistically - showing them being written, recorded and performed - in a way that pushed the story forward without traditional musical theatre song-integration.

Not only is Jersey Boys still running on Broadway, but its influence can be seen in newer bio-musicals like BEAUTIFUL and ON YOUR FEET!

The book was so strong that all four leading men - John Lloyd Young, Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer and Daniel Reichard - had meaty acting roles to work with, with Young and Hoff earning Tonys for their efforts, and the show winning Best Musical.

The American Theatre Wing's 70th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Tony Award winner James Corden, will air on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.



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