Jersey Boys National Tour: Orlando press event

On Monday, October 27th, we were invited to a press event at the Enzian Theater to get a behind-the-scenes look at, and meet some of the cast from, the touring production of the Broadway show Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, arriving at Orlando's Bob Carr Theater May 2009... (Read more of Jason Lee's article at bottom of post)

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Photo Credit: Tisse Mallon
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Denise Payne (Francine and other roles), Steve Gouveia (Nick Massi), Graham Fenton (Frankie Valli)
Denise Payne (Francine), Steve Gouveia (Nick), Graham Fenton (Frankie Valli)

Entrance to Enzian
Entrance, Enzian Theatre

Lobby Display
Lobby Display

Florida Theatrical Association's Ron Legler
Florida Theatrical Association's Ron Legler

Three cast members
Cast members being interviewed

Three cast members
Cast members

Question
Audience Q&A

Sign

Food
Snacks!

The Behind the Scenes Peak of Jersey Boys:
The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Writer: Jason Lee

On Monday, October 27th, we were invited to the Enzian Theater for a special behind-the-scenes look at this touring production of the Broadway show, coming to Orlando's Bob Carr Theater next year.

At the reception before the presentation, there was mingling, drinking, and eating with The Four Seasons music playing in the background. The delicious hors d'oeuvres, catered by Enzian, included Rosemary-Lemon Chicken, Vegetable Penne Pasta with garlic and white wine, Sicilian Meatballs, & Basil Pesto croissant pieces. With plates piled high, people soon made their way into the theater.

Host Scott Mackenzie (Mix 105.1) spoke, sharing the great financial impact Jersey Boys will have on Orlando: an estimated two million dollars coming in during it's three week run. After his talk, they played a video showing musical numbers from the show and interviews with the production team.

Three of the performers from the current touring cast took to the stage following the video: Graham Fenton (Frankie Valli), Steve Gouveia (Nick Massi), and Denise Payne (Francine and other roles). They flew in from Toronto, their current stop of the tour, to do this event. They shared stories with the audience about their personal experiences with the show. Graham spoke of his nerve-wrecking audition where he sung in front of an impressive spread including the director, writers, and Franki Valli himself! Denise spoke about sacrificing her role in a production in Boston to be apart of Jersey Boys and the workout she gets by playing various roles within one performance which add up to 18 wardrobe changes. Steve proudly proclaimed Jersey Boys to be "a guy's musical" due to the amount of swearing and the true to life events which are recreated. The performers agreed that Jersey Boys succeeds in transporting people back to some of their most emotional and memorable times of their lives. They also agreed that one of their biggest challenges at times, is singing louder than their audience.

The structure of the musical is outlined by the seasons: fall, winter, spring, and summer, with each one representing the view point of each of the main characters, as well as, a certain period within the group's life. Jersey Boys will be at The Bob Carr Performing Atrs Center in Downtown Orlando, Florida from May 6- 24, 2009. Tickets go on sale January 30, 2009.

UPDATE 10-31-08: This post got picked up by a Jersey Boys fan forum. Thanks for the link!)