Des McAnuff News

The record-breaking Chicago Company of Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, is thrilled to celebrate its first anniversary in Chicago on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. In celebration of this major event, a new block of tickets for performances through April 12, 2009 will go on-sale to the public at 10 a.m. Jersey Boys will also hold a citywide lunchtime pizza party, giving away 4,000 slices of Home Run Inn Pizza at various locations throughout the city, from noon - 1 p.m. and present a special anniversary performance at the Bank of America Theatre that evening at 7:30 p.m.

The record-breaking Chicago Company of JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, is thrilled to celebrate its first anniversary in Chicago on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

Before heading to Broadway Mark Nadler's Russian on the Side will play at the Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco starting October 16th, 2008- November 16th, 2008. For tickets please call 415-771-6900.

A new production of GUYS AND DOLLS, directed by Tony-winner Des McAnuff will begin previews on February 3, 2009 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre. Opening Night is March 1.

The cast and creative team have been assembled for the gritty, provocative 1930s drama Tobacco Road, which ran on Broadway from December 4, 1933 to May 31,1941, the longest Broadway run ever at the time. Today, 75 years since it opened, it remains the second-longest running drama in Broadway history, second only to Life with Father. It plays September 30 through October 26, 2008 in the Mandell Weiss Forum at La Jolla Playhouse.

As of September 30th 2008 the cast of Jersey Boys is now led by Sebastian Arcelus (Bob Gaudio), Matt Bogart (Nick Massi), Dominic Nolfi (Tommy DeVito) and Jarrod Spector (Frankie Valli) as The Four Seasons; with Peter Gregus and Mark Lotito. The cast also includes Miles Aubrey, Bridget Berger, Kris Coleman, Douglas Crawford, Ken Dow, Heather Ferguson, Russell Fischer, Eric Gutman, Katie O'Toole, Joe Payne, Dominic Scaglione Jr., Sara Schmidt, Eric Schneider and Jake Speck.

Dominic Nolfi and Jarrod Spector will step into the roles of Tommy DeVito and Frankie Valli, respectively, in the Broadway cast of JERSEY BOYS, the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning smash hit musical, on Tuesday, September 30. Tony Award® winner Christian Hoff, who originated the role of Tommy DeVito at La Jolla Playhouse and on Broadway, and Michael Longoria, currently playing Frankie Valli, played their final performances on Sunday, September 28.

The record-breaking Chicago Company of JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, is thrilled to celebrate its first anniversary in Chicago this October.

The Chicago company of JERSEY BOYS is thrilled to welcome Chicagoan Cory Grant to the role of Frankie Valli beginning Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Celebrated stage and screen actor Colm Feore will return to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2009 to play two leading roles on the Festival stage, Macbeth and Cyrano de Bergerac. 'William Shakespeare's Macbeth involves a journey for the theatre artist that may well be the darkest ride of them all. It leads into a black hole of terror and meaninglessness, and it is not for the faint of heart,' says artistic director Des McAnuff, who will be directing the play.

Announced today at the Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market, the Original Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY will be reuniting for a 15th Anniversary Reunion Concert on Monday night, December 15th, 2008 at 8:00 pm at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

The Toronto engagement of JERSEY BOYS, which opened to rave reviews on August 24, has been extended a second time, to Saturday, December 6. The Tony® and Grammy® award-winning musical is now playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (5040 Yonge Street north of Sheppard Avenue).

La Jolla Playhouse Board Chair Ralph Bryan announced today that Steven Libman, Managing Director, is stepping down to pursue an expanding consulting practice. Mr. Libman was appointed Managing Director in June 2005.The organization will initiate a nationwide search for Mr. Libman's successor immediately. Joan Cumming, Director of Communications, will serve as Interim Managing Director. Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley will continue with his current responsibilities.

La Jolla Playhouse Board Chair Ralph Bryan announced today that Steven Libman, Managing Director, is stepping down to pursue an expanding consulting practice.

Dominic Nolfi and Jarrod Spector will step into the roles of Tommy DeVito and Frankie Valli, respectively, in the Broadway cast of JERSEY BOYS, the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning smash hit musical, on Tuesday, September 30. Tony Award® winner Christian Hoff, who originated the role of Tommy DeVito at La Jolla Playhouse and on Broadway, and Michael Longoria, currently playing Frankie Valli, will play their final performances on Sunday, September 28.

J. Robert Spencer is best known for his riveting work in the Tony Award winning Broadway Musical Jersey Boys. On Sunday, September 14th 2008, he will play his last performance as Nick Massi, a role he created and has essayed since the hit musical's very first moments. He took some time out of his busy final week schedule to sit down with me and just sort of 'talk shop', about theater, film and the power of creative inspiration, a subject we're very passionate about here at BroadwayWorld.com.

Before heading to Broadway, the incomparable Mark Nadler will bring his one-man comedy-in-music adventure, 'Russian on the Side,' to the Marines Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor) for a limited engagement beginning October 16, 2008. Tickets are on sale now at the Marines Memorial Theatre box office, by phone at 415-771-6900 and online at Ticketmaster.com.

Ashley Spencer, one of the finalists of last year's 'Grease, You're The One That I Want!' reality show on NBC and the current 'Sandy' in the Broadway production, was seen taking in a performance of JERSEY BOYS at The Palazzo Las Vegas on Thursday, September 11. Ashley is currently playing the role of 'Sandy' in Grease on Broadway. After the performance, she went backstage to say hello to the talented cast.

The Chicago company of JERSEY BOYS is thrilled to welcome Chicagoan Cory Grant to the role of Frankie Valli beginning Saturday, September 27, 2008. A native of Winnetka, IL, and graduate of New Trier High School, Grant returns to his hometown after 10 months in the Broadway ensemble of JERSEY BOYS.

The Chicago company of JERSEY BOYS is thrilled to welcome Chicagoan Cory Grant to the role of Frankie Valli beginning Saturday, September 27, 2008.