Skip to main content

Article: Jersey Boys Opens at QPAC // Prospero Arts & QPAC



Prospero Arts and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) are pleased to present Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons in QPAC’s Concert Hall from 8 to 11 February 2024. 

Following the success of The Wizard of Oz - In Concert and Singin’ in the Rain – In Concert, Brisbane based Prospero Arts’ all new reimagined, semi-staged concert production of the Broadway sensation Jersey Boys is directed by the multiple award- winning Martin Croft with choreography by Queensland’s own Dan Venz.  

The international musical phenomenon Jersey Boys takes audiences behind the scenes – and behind the music – of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. With musical supervision by the incomparable David Young, the awe-inspiring script and score will be interpreted by some of Australia’s most sought-after musical theatre performers; supported by an eleven-piece band on stage and led by acclaimed musical director and conductor James Dobinson. 

Prospero Arts Managing Director Hayley Johnson said she was thrilled to bring the sensational Jersey Boys to the Concert Hall stage as the third production in the Prospero Arts and QPAC In Concert Series.  

“After successful In Concert presentations with QPAC in 2022 and 2023, we were keen for our next production to be a Jukebox Musical – with a great and inspiring story – that was full of iconic songs.  Jersey Boys is from that really special era in pop music that paved the way for so many of the songs and artists that have made an unprecedented mark in the history of popular music,” said Ms Johnson. 

“Our reimagined semi-staged format really puts the spotlight on the story, the choreography and of course the hit songs played by a live orchestra on the Concert Hall stage supporting the artists. We are thrilled with our lead cast who are all very familiar with Jersey Boys’ roles in the professional arena. Most of the cast are either originally from Brisbane and are coming back, or they’ve moved to Brisbane following a long career interstate and overseas, with a couple of local up and comers too. There’s a wealth of experience across the board which means that Brisbane audiences are in for the real deal - Jersey Boys brought to you by the best in the biz,” Ms Johnson added.

The largely-Queensland cast for Jersey Boys includes; Josh Mulheran (Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys) as Frankie Valli, Jack Saunders (Jersey Boys on cruise ships across the globe) as Bob Gaudio, Connor Crawford (Jersey Boys) as Tommy DeVito, Glaston Toft (Jersey Boys) as Nick Massi, Glen Hill (Jersey Boys) as Bob Crew, Dale Pengelly (The Sunshine Club, Hot Shoe Shuffle) as Gyp DeCarlo, Matthew Casamento (2023 Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium Musical Theatre Graduate) as Joey Pesci, Maxwell Simon (Bananaland, Moulin Rouge The Musical) as Norm Waxman, Emma Wilby (2023 Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium Musical Theatre Graduate) as Francine Valli, Sophie Perkins (QPAC's Spirit of Christmas, Carrie the Musical, Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium Musical Theatre Graduate) as Lorraine, Loren Hunter (SIX – The Musical, The Wizard of Oz – In Concert) as Mary Delgado, Oliver Lacey (Jersey Boys) as Hank Majewski, AJ Pate (The Normal Heart) as Barry Belson and Emma Hawthorne (9 to 5 The Musical, Wicked) as Swing-Associate Choreographer.

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons had a look, an attitude and a sound that no-one had ever witnessed before. And since their first big hit in the 1960s, their music has continued to transcend generations. 

Featuring all the group’s greatest hits including “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, and “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)”, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. 

Winner of four Tony Awards, and an Olivier and Helpmann Award for Best Musical, Jersey Boys remains one of the longest running shows on Broadway.  

Don’t miss Prospero Arts’ reimagined semi-staged concert production of Jersey Boys exclusively in Brisbane in QPAC’s Concert Hall from 8 to 11 February 2024. Tickets at qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.

Photos by Joel Devereux​
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Freshblood Festival - Vena Cava

Written By Thor Morrison Upcoming creatives need a place to experiment, to prosper, to explore, and even to sometimes miss the mark. It is essential that spaces that allow this to happen exist, especially in a world obsessed with perfectionism. The Freshblood Festival is an annual event run by QUT Student Theatre Company Vena Cava, focused on young writers and performers, and it does just that. It provides a space for the new and upcoming creatives of Brisbane and surrounds to experiment, have fun, and create really exciting performances. Held at BackDock Arts in Fortitude Valley, and running over two consecutive weekends, it is a massive endeavour Vena Cava have given themselves. 14 independent shows, two play readings, and 8 music acts ensure that Freshblood has something for everyone to enjoy, and shows the variety and scale of the Festival itself. Drama Dispatch was able to attend most of the second weekend, seeing a total of seven shows and a play reading, and was greatly impresse...
Post a Comment
Read more

‘PASHUN’ // TheatrePunk Co.

  What happens when masculine, feminine, and a touch of envy energy are amplified in modern society? You get ‘PASHUN’ by TheatrePunk Co.! ‘PASHUN’ is a comedic theatrical exploration of gender and relationships, infused with fantastic absurdist techniques. Written by Harrison Mills, it offers a unique night out that delves into the intersection of queer identity and the “straight minority.” Harrison Mills has skilfully interwoven absurdist techniques into the fabric of queer and heterosexual love, resulting in a profoundly thought-provoking experience. Throughout ‘PASHUN’, they masterfully employ stereotypes, drawing our attention to their nuances. From the hyper-masculine, reminiscent of an Andrew Tate figure, Sigma, to the unmistakable Starbucks-loving pink aficionado, Tiff, Mills has ingeniously crafted characters that evoke both love and disdain throughout the production. Under the direction of Joshua Price, the piece is minimalist but effective. The utilisation of packing boxe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Picnic at Hanging Rock - Javeenbah Theatre Company

Written by Mark Rickell “The infamous picnic has become a faux Australian history that has haunted the Australian psyche for almost fifty years.” - Hunter Wall, Director This is the backdrop on which the story takes place, not that of the period in history, but in the present. In the effect of this story and what it means to Australians. Children study the text in schools, the name, and the mystery, is synonymous with Australian literature.  “Whether Picnic at Hanging Rock is fact or fiction, my readers must decide for themselves. As the fateful picnic took place in the year nineteen hundred, and all the characters who appear in this book are long since dead, it hardly seems important.” - Joan Lindsay, Author This adaptation of the text is extremely true to the original material, and serves as an excellent example of the power of theatre as a way of bringing stories to life. This adaptation, expertly staged at Javeenbah Theatre, is a triumph of storytelling. It is clear that dire...
Post a Comment
Read more