| programme_notes_for_jersey_boys_6.doc |
Programme Notes for Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys, the internationally acclaimed stage sensation, has won 57 awards worldwide, including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It tells the true life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own unique sound, and sold 100 million records world wide.
Scenery
The curtains are open when we first enter the theatre. Centre stage is a rectangular metal frame consisting of nine square grids, rather like a window that at times will be raised upwards or lowered during the show. Behind the frame we can see a high metal gantry with a platform running across it, which is accessed via two sets of open-thread staircases, one curved, the other with a landing. These are on the right and left of the platform, allowing the actors to enter or exit the stage. The platform will be variously used as a prison block, Frankie’s parent’s apartment and the bedrooms in a hotel. The gantry remains static but is faded out by lighting when our attention is focused elsewhere.
Behind the gantry is another open rectangular metal frame that lights up in blue and red as the group perform. Centrally, inside the metal frame of lights we see a full drum kit sitting on a slightly raised dais that can be moved about as the musicians play live music throughout the performance. Behind the dais, a black background is raised to reveal a city scape of silhouetted TV and telephone masts, against dramatic sunsets and sunrises.
Most of the action will take place middle stage with furniture moved about to represent the different clubs and studios where the group perform or record numbers.
Passing events are marked by a large illuminated sign which is lowered from the theatre ceiling bearing the words SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, and WINTER. As the show progresses this sign will depict the names of the clubs where the group play, The Strand, The Silhouette club, The Sea Breeze Club, etc. It will also display pictures denoting occurrences in the lives of the musicians, which are too numerous to mention here, but for instance it will show an image of a police man when Frankie is taken for questioning, a judge banging down a hammer, Mangio’s Pizza Restaurant, a bridge spanning a river, a cartoon bang denoting a gunshot, a neon sign of a bowling alley with letters missing, and most significantly a bowling alley sign called The Four Seasons from which the group eventually choose their successful stage name.
The Sea Breeze Club has round tables and an electric keyboard on the right of the stage which is played by the club’s resident female pianist. Later on the tables will have linen cloths reflecting the growing status of the band.
The Silhouette Club has tables and chairs around the stage floor where the group perform, and a long high counter where drinks are served, in addition to waiters and waitresses serving on the floor of the club.
The police station has a long bench and a table with a chair where the detectives question Frankie, the long bench will later become the Judge’s rostrum when he sentences Tommy. In Ohio there will be a jail with four toilets where group will be incarcerated.
The Brill Building, 1619 Broadway is the studio recording hub where Frankie and Bob Gaudio send tapes of their numbers in an attempt to get a record deal with some of the bigger names in the music business. A decorative art deco style door is lower from above that has an arch-shaped panel inset. This door is used to represent all the various studios, but with different occupants answering when the boys knock.
Bob Crewe’s Recording Studio in the Brill Building has a long bench with mixer equipment set behind glass windows, and Crow’s apartment has a bright yellow settee with a circular back and seat which is very 60’s style.
Al Finney, the President of the Record Label’s Office has a rectangular wooden knee hold desk and swivel chair, this will double as Davis, the Programme Directors Office where Bob tries to get playtime for his newly written songs.
Ed Sullivan Show has bright studio lights and large television cameras which are mounted on wheels and moved around. There is a screen showing moving images as the group perform live music.
In addition we will see a darkened church with an organ on the left of the stage and a stained glass window in the shape of a cross where the young Frankie and Nick practice new numbers.
Mangio’s PIzza Restaurant with checked table cloths with a candle in a wine bottle where Frankie takes Mary on their first date.
Tommy’s apartment with a square table with a stainless steel base and matching kitchen chairs, this will also double up as Mary’s kitchen when Frankie and she meet up to discuss family relationships.
A penthouse hotel with a red satin bench with frills along the bottom were the band meet some scantily clad girls.
Gyp DE Carlo’s apartment has a long table with chairs around it and an upper window with scenes to the Jersey Bridge.
A hospital waiting room with low white seating.
A coffee shop with a high counter and circular stools with a single pedestal of stainless steel.
Lorraine’s apartment in Manhattan has a double bed draped with covers and an ornate wrought iron head board.
Most of the performance will take place in the centre of the stage, but occasionally the actors will move off centre under a spotlight to show us they have on-going lives outside of show business. As stated earlier, the gantry has a platform where access is gained via two staircases on each end. This is used effectively and highlights when the actors enter or exit the stage, it remains in place throughout the show, but is faded out when our attention is drawn elsewhere. There is also a screen which provides snapshots of events, and passing times in the lives of the band. Live music will be played throughout the performance on keyboards, drums, horn sections, organs, tamborines, and guitars. The full drum section is on wheels and is moved about the stage as required.
At the end of the show the background consists of large swirling circles and checks in black and white.
There are not a lot of props used during the show, with desks, chairs and benches used in multiple scenes however, some other props include suitcases, music cases, microphones, headphones, movie cameras on wheels, large white box of effects, a telephone book and golf iron.
NOTE:
If you wish to hear these notes on the evening of the performance please ensure you are seated as early as possible. It is a good opportunity to check your headsets are in working order. If you have any difficulties please draw the attention of one of the staff who are stationed nearby and will be happy to assist you.
CAST
FRANKIE VALLI, front man and lead singer of the Four Seasons is played by MICHAEL WATSON. He has an oval face; brown hair swept to one side, neat brown eyebrows, blue eyes, straight nose and thin lips and is of medium height. When performing he wears a dark red lurex tuxedo jacket, with a blue trim around the collar and pockets, tight black trousers and pointed back laced shoes. He also appears in a long grey jacket, purple shirt, narrow purple spotted tie, with tie pin, and grey trousers. His casual wear, is blue jeans and striped shirt.
The three other Four Seasons ( below) are similarly dressed.
TOMMY DE VITO is played by SIMON BAILEY, boyish, in his thirties, with a chubby, square face, black hair slicked back from his face, wide mouth, full lips, small nose and dark eyes. He is broad, of medium height. He plays guitar.
BOB GAUDIO, song writer and keyboard player, is played by DECLAN EGAN, young with thick brown hair, brushed back off his forehead, narrow eyebrows, blue eyes, neat nose, small mouth and pointed chin. He is tall, and looks dashing when in a blue and red dressing gown.
NICK MASSI, played by LEWIS GRIFFITHS, is young, with brown hair, long on the top, parted to the side, with an oval face, blue eyes, thin eyebrows, narrow lips and small nose. He is tall and slim. He plays guitar.
OTHER MALE CHARACTERS:
MARK HEENEHAN plays GYP DE CARLO, big time gangster, and others. In his fifties, he has receding, greying, wavy hair, thick eyebrows, small nose and mouth. He wears a pinstriped dark suit. He is tall and broad shouldered.
JAMES ALEXANDER GIBBS plays JOE PESCI, a small, impatient young guy and many other characters. He has thick dark hair, dark eyebrows, long nose, and wide, thin lipped mouth. He wears jeans, zipped jacket and baseball boots.
JOEL ELFERICK, plays BOB CREWE, who owns the recording studio, and many other characters. Young, with a tanned face, and short hair, he first wears dark trousers and a blue shirt, then pale trousers and a white and blue flower patterned shirt.
NORM WAXMAN IS PLAYED BY KARL WILSON. He is a henchman of Gyp, and has thick brown hair, and high cheek bones. He wears a grey suit.
ARNOLD MABHENA plays the programme director of the radio station. Young, dark skinned, with wide nose full lips, and short thick black hair, and an earring.
The female parts are played by three actresses, who also play the other female parts.
OLIVE ROBINSON plays Frankie’s girlfriend LORRAINE —Tall, with long blond hair, dark well shaped eye brows, blue eyes, neat nose, wide mouth and full lips. She wears a black knee length dress with high heels.
She appears first as a reporter, wearing a short straight skirt and round neck top.
PHOEBE MAY NEWMAN plays FRANCINE, Frankie’s daughter with May. She is in her twenties, with long wavy blond hair, framing her oval face and grey eyes. She has cream trousers, and blue patterned bomber jacket.
MARY DELGADO, Frankie’s wife, is played by TARA YOUNG. She has red curly hair, dark eyebrows and eyes, neat nose and mouth. She wears a pink dress, with a full skirt, trimmed with white lace around the hem and neckline.
The three first appear as a French trio, wearing short checked skirts, with bra tops.
They next wear wide skirts, under which are layers of petticoats, and stiletto heeled shoes.
For the song “Who wears short shorts” they have very short shorts.
As a girl group, they all wear short pink sequined dresses, with bra tops, tight skirts, slit at the side, strapped high heels, and white gloves.
Jersey Boys, the internationally acclaimed stage sensation, has won 57 awards worldwide, including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It tells the true life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own unique sound, and sold 100 million records world wide.
Scenery
The curtains are open when we first enter the theatre. Centre stage is a rectangular metal frame consisting of nine square grids, rather like a window that at times will be raised upwards or lowered during the show. Behind the frame we can see a high metal gantry with a platform running across it, which is accessed via two sets of open-thread staircases, one curved, the other with a landing. These are on the right and left of the platform, allowing the actors to enter or exit the stage. The platform will be variously used as a prison block, Frankie’s parent’s apartment and the bedrooms in a hotel. The gantry remains static but is faded out by lighting when our attention is focused elsewhere.
Behind the gantry is another open rectangular metal frame that lights up in blue and red as the group perform. Centrally, inside the metal frame of lights we see a full drum kit sitting on a slightly raised dais that can be moved about as the musicians play live music throughout the performance. Behind the dais, a black background is raised to reveal a city scape of silhouetted TV and telephone masts, against dramatic sunsets and sunrises.
Most of the action will take place middle stage with furniture moved about to represent the different clubs and studios where the group perform or record numbers.
Passing events are marked by a large illuminated sign which is lowered from the theatre ceiling bearing the words SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, and WINTER. As the show progresses this sign will depict the names of the clubs where the group play, The Strand, The Silhouette club, The Sea Breeze Club, etc. It will also display pictures denoting occurrences in the lives of the musicians, which are too numerous to mention here, but for instance it will show an image of a police man when Frankie is taken for questioning, a judge banging down a hammer, Mangio’s Pizza Restaurant, a bridge spanning a river, a cartoon bang denoting a gunshot, a neon sign of a bowling alley with letters missing, and most significantly a bowling alley sign called The Four Seasons from which the group eventually choose their successful stage name.
The Sea Breeze Club has round tables and an electric keyboard on the right of the stage which is played by the club’s resident female pianist. Later on the tables will have linen cloths reflecting the growing status of the band.
The Silhouette Club has tables and chairs around the stage floor where the group perform, and a long high counter where drinks are served, in addition to waiters and waitresses serving on the floor of the club.
The police station has a long bench and a table with a chair where the detectives question Frankie, the long bench will later become the Judge’s rostrum when he sentences Tommy. In Ohio there will be a jail with four toilets where group will be incarcerated.
The Brill Building, 1619 Broadway is the studio recording hub where Frankie and Bob Gaudio send tapes of their numbers in an attempt to get a record deal with some of the bigger names in the music business. A decorative art deco style door is lower from above that has an arch-shaped panel inset. This door is used to represent all the various studios, but with different occupants answering when the boys knock.
Bob Crewe’s Recording Studio in the Brill Building has a long bench with mixer equipment set behind glass windows, and Crow’s apartment has a bright yellow settee with a circular back and seat which is very 60’s style.
Al Finney, the President of the Record Label’s Office has a rectangular wooden knee hold desk and swivel chair, this will double as Davis, the Programme Directors Office where Bob tries to get playtime for his newly written songs.
Ed Sullivan Show has bright studio lights and large television cameras which are mounted on wheels and moved around. There is a screen showing moving images as the group perform live music.
In addition we will see a darkened church with an organ on the left of the stage and a stained glass window in the shape of a cross where the young Frankie and Nick practice new numbers.
Mangio’s PIzza Restaurant with checked table cloths with a candle in a wine bottle where Frankie takes Mary on their first date.
Tommy’s apartment with a square table with a stainless steel base and matching kitchen chairs, this will also double up as Mary’s kitchen when Frankie and she meet up to discuss family relationships.
A penthouse hotel with a red satin bench with frills along the bottom were the band meet some scantily clad girls.
Gyp DE Carlo’s apartment has a long table with chairs around it and an upper window with scenes to the Jersey Bridge.
A hospital waiting room with low white seating.
A coffee shop with a high counter and circular stools with a single pedestal of stainless steel.
Lorraine’s apartment in Manhattan has a double bed draped with covers and an ornate wrought iron head board.
Most of the performance will take place in the centre of the stage, but occasionally the actors will move off centre under a spotlight to show us they have on-going lives outside of show business. As stated earlier, the gantry has a platform where access is gained via two staircases on each end. This is used effectively and highlights when the actors enter or exit the stage, it remains in place throughout the show, but is faded out when our attention is drawn elsewhere. There is also a screen which provides snapshots of events, and passing times in the lives of the band. Live music will be played throughout the performance on keyboards, drums, horn sections, organs, tamborines, and guitars. The full drum section is on wheels and is moved about the stage as required.
At the end of the show the background consists of large swirling circles and checks in black and white.
There are not a lot of props used during the show, with desks, chairs and benches used in multiple scenes however, some other props include suitcases, music cases, microphones, headphones, movie cameras on wheels, large white box of effects, a telephone book and golf iron.
NOTE:
If you wish to hear these notes on the evening of the performance please ensure you are seated as early as possible. It is a good opportunity to check your headsets are in working order. If you have any difficulties please draw the attention of one of the staff who are stationed nearby and will be happy to assist you.
CAST
FRANKIE VALLI, front man and lead singer of the Four Seasons is played by MICHAEL WATSON. He has an oval face; brown hair swept to one side, neat brown eyebrows, blue eyes, straight nose and thin lips and is of medium height. When performing he wears a dark red lurex tuxedo jacket, with a blue trim around the collar and pockets, tight black trousers and pointed back laced shoes. He also appears in a long grey jacket, purple shirt, narrow purple spotted tie, with tie pin, and grey trousers. His casual wear, is blue jeans and striped shirt.
The three other Four Seasons ( below) are similarly dressed.
TOMMY DE VITO is played by SIMON BAILEY, boyish, in his thirties, with a chubby, square face, black hair slicked back from his face, wide mouth, full lips, small nose and dark eyes. He is broad, of medium height. He plays guitar.
BOB GAUDIO, song writer and keyboard player, is played by DECLAN EGAN, young with thick brown hair, brushed back off his forehead, narrow eyebrows, blue eyes, neat nose, small mouth and pointed chin. He is tall, and looks dashing when in a blue and red dressing gown.
NICK MASSI, played by LEWIS GRIFFITHS, is young, with brown hair, long on the top, parted to the side, with an oval face, blue eyes, thin eyebrows, narrow lips and small nose. He is tall and slim. He plays guitar.
OTHER MALE CHARACTERS:
MARK HEENEHAN plays GYP DE CARLO, big time gangster, and others. In his fifties, he has receding, greying, wavy hair, thick eyebrows, small nose and mouth. He wears a pinstriped dark suit. He is tall and broad shouldered.
JAMES ALEXANDER GIBBS plays JOE PESCI, a small, impatient young guy and many other characters. He has thick dark hair, dark eyebrows, long nose, and wide, thin lipped mouth. He wears jeans, zipped jacket and baseball boots.
JOEL ELFERICK, plays BOB CREWE, who owns the recording studio, and many other characters. Young, with a tanned face, and short hair, he first wears dark trousers and a blue shirt, then pale trousers and a white and blue flower patterned shirt.
NORM WAXMAN IS PLAYED BY KARL WILSON. He is a henchman of Gyp, and has thick brown hair, and high cheek bones. He wears a grey suit.
ARNOLD MABHENA plays the programme director of the radio station. Young, dark skinned, with wide nose full lips, and short thick black hair, and an earring.
The female parts are played by three actresses, who also play the other female parts.
OLIVE ROBINSON plays Frankie’s girlfriend LORRAINE —Tall, with long blond hair, dark well shaped eye brows, blue eyes, neat nose, wide mouth and full lips. She wears a black knee length dress with high heels.
She appears first as a reporter, wearing a short straight skirt and round neck top.
PHOEBE MAY NEWMAN plays FRANCINE, Frankie’s daughter with May. She is in her twenties, with long wavy blond hair, framing her oval face and grey eyes. She has cream trousers, and blue patterned bomber jacket.
MARY DELGADO, Frankie’s wife, is played by TARA YOUNG. She has red curly hair, dark eyebrows and eyes, neat nose and mouth. She wears a pink dress, with a full skirt, trimmed with white lace around the hem and neckline.
The three first appear as a French trio, wearing short checked skirts, with bra tops.
They next wear wide skirts, under which are layers of petticoats, and stiletto heeled shoes.
For the song “Who wears short shorts” they have very short shorts.
As a girl group, they all wear short pink sequined dresses, with bra tops, tight skirts, slit at the side, strapped high heels, and white gloves.
