JERSEY BOYS: Final Months on Broadway

Mark Ballas starts performances TONIGHT as the final Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway. As the production is heading into its home stretch for a January 15, 2017 closing, I figured people returning to the show could post their comments here. I know I'll be heading to the Wilson sometime soon.

Updated On: 1/13/17 at 11:35 AM

Comes from championship award winning professional ballroom dancing parents. He started dancing in this field as a child (alongside Julianne and Derek Hough). Obtained a degree in musical theater. Appeared in a handful of West End musicals when DWTS came calling. He ended up on DWTS for several seasons. Is also a trained musician and singer (he's a tenor with a natural falsetto). He's been a longtime fan of JERSEY BOYS since it's debut and has seen it worldwide numerous times so his involvement happened organically. He did have to audition several times before being approved by Frankie Valli himself. That's it in a nutshell.

He also is doing a vlog for Broadway.com that starts today as well. Like most Broadway.com vlogs, it will run for 8 weeks with each new episode coming out on Tuesdays.

10086sunset said: "Curious to see what Ballas does for the box office...


Any evidence of that would be mostly present in the first few weeks of his run. After that, between the holidays and the last minute hustle to see it before closing, his effect won't be as visible




"

He's out Nov 21-27 for vacation.

Most Frankies have done six shows a week.

10086sunset said: "LizzieCurry said: "Most Frankies have done six shows a week."



Thanks Lizzie...Didn't recall this fact before posting...His schedule makes much more sense with this fact...



"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrIzZH6p2Tk

I attended Mark's debut last night. I'm a fan of Mark's and I don't mean this to sound harsh. I thought it was just average. I think he needs time to grow into the role/character and to fine tune the vocals. He's got the falsetto down pat, just needs to work on the nuances of the lyrics and build stamina. Needs to command the stage more as the lead, maybe that will come with time as his confidence builds.Though the show is closing soon! Probably first night jitters. The actress who played his first wife needs to really emphasize the curse words more in her delivery. Wasn't emphatic enough like a Jersey woman would be when making a 'colorful" point. If you are going to say the F word and the A word, you need to really give them oomph.

quizking101 said: "Additionally, Ballas isn't performing on Weds. Evenings and Sat. Matinees, so he'll be doing (barring illness or commitments) 6 shows per week.

I wish I knew the Wed evenings off for him when I bought my ticket for tonight back on Sept 7th. At least my sister will get to see Mark on Saturday, barring illness or any unexpected absence. I was happy with Mauricio Perez as Frankie. And the best cell phone prevention ushers I've experienced at any theater thus far! Raise the roof for the August Wilson staff and house manager! WOOT WOOT!

LizzieCurry said: "I think that was a very last-minute thing, since during the matinee today, Mauricio tweeted about posting his new schedule soon (a few minutes later).

https://twitter.com/mowREEseeOH/status/788799861063901185

Glad to know the ushers are on top of it! That JB audience can be hard to a part of.



Thanks for that link Lizzy Curry. And I can imagine the JB audience forgets they're at theater and think they're at a concert and want to record. The lady behind me had her cell phone face up in her lap and I heard crackling and static. I REALLY thought she was trying to stream the presidential debate! Because why else would you have your phone out on your lap! It was so distracting. One usher came and told her to put it away and she said "but it's just FaceTime" HELLOOOOO? Are you broadcasting the show to a friend via FaceTime?! Once, twice, thrice...during intermission the house manager came and let her know if it comes out one more time, she'll need to leave the theater. I was like YESSSSSSSSS! Because squeezing over 28 shows in 6 months, I've experienced lots of bad theater behavior but the August Wilson theater was on point! I wanted to buy them all a cup of coffee!!!! Not even during final bows would someone dare pull out their cell, it was like visiting Windsor Castle! Loved it!

I had a double dose of Jersey Boys this week- caught Ballas' performance in Jersey Boys on Thursday and say the real thing last night. The real thing was better.

Ballas hits the high notes, but some of the chest voice sections are a little weak. His acting was fine; definitely not schadenfreude viewing you get from many of the underachieving Chicago replacements, but Nicolas Dromard's Tommy and especially Matt Bogart's Nick really outshone him.

I hadn't seen Jersey Boys in years and I know everytime a new Beautiful or Baby, It's You or On Your Feet we say they are following in the Jersey Boys mold, but the outline followed was so overwhelmingly apparently after this viewing. All of these bio-jukebox musicals need to pay royalties or something to the Jersey Boys creative team for aping their ideas so closely. And still, after all the imitations, Jersey Boys is still the best of the lot. They are the only show that seems to allow the artists to have any flaws and become three dimensional characters. Jukebox musicals will never be my favorite genre, but I can appreciate when one is as well constructed as this one.

As for the real Frankie Valli, I thougnt he put on a terrific show. I enjoyed this iteration better than the one a few seasons ago at the Broadway (less meandering patter) and Valli at 82 can still sing fairly well and put over his hits with ease. He's got charisma and yes, a sexiness about his that hasn't faded with age. My friends and I had a great time; this was one of the better special events in the past 5 years.

Swallow2 said: "Anyone who have tired general rush since Mark Balls joined the cast???
What time does the line start usually?
I am trying to go on Saturday...first time, a bit nervous.
Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you!!

I rushed yesterday. Got there at 12pm and the line was already moving. We were about 8th in line, but at least the 2 couples ahead of me were getting regular tickets and not rush. It is supposed to be a student rush, so make sure you bring a student id, although they didn't ask for mine. Our seats were in the 2nd row all the way to the side. You will be able to see the vast majority of the action because the stage is not that high, so that is nice. It does strain your neck a bit having to look on a diagonal the whole time, but at $32 who can complain?

Thank you so much for the tips!!