Valli sues Hoff and Longoria over unauthorized JERSEY BOYS spin-off

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:18pm

"Frankie Valli has filed suit against six former cast members of "Jersey Boys," charging them with ripping off the Tony award-winning show for a copycat concert tour now under way.

The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famer claims "The Boys in Concert" steals songs, stage elements and copyrighted logos to dupe patrons into thinking it's an "authorized road company" of the long-running Broadway musical.

"Beginning with low-profile performances of songs from Jersey Boys, defendants have now increased the scale of their performances as The Boys to the point that they now more boldly flaunt their similarity to the production," the Manhattan federal court suit says."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/frankie_valli_files_suit_over_jersey_76noZvokGup5s8s11f73eI#ixzz0kuJoEjtD

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:54pm

Wow. Considering who we're talking about here (on both sides), you'd think the people behind "The Boys in Concert" would have everything in order...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:28pm

Defendants in the case include Christian Hoff, who won a Tony for his performance as Tommy DeVito in the original cast production, and Michael Longoria, who formerly portrayed Valli and has said he is not related to Eva Longoria of "Desperate Housewives" fame.

Why didn't they mention Tommy DeVito isn't related to Danny DeVito? Why mention Eva Longoria at all?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:44pm

Haha, Phyllis, I thought that part was hilarious. Love it!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:48pm

And I like that it reads he "has said he is not related to" her. Like it's up for debate.

[JRybka]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:51pm

From reading about the concert -- it looks like they do alot of other songs too. They do everything from the Monkees to the Beach Boys. I am sure they probably do a medly of their Jersey Boys songs but I guess I do not see the problem unles they are doing a total rip-off.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:51pm

I like how they say "has said he is not related to ..." so that it sounds like he IS but denies it. If you have to mention it, just say "No relation to Eva."

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:52pm

I guess all people who share the same Hispanic last name are related?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:54pm

I guess that accounts for Bobby Spencer missing so many N2N performances. It must be a nice paycheck. I don't really understand the law suit myself. You would think these original cast members would at least have a working relationship with Valli and this could have been settled out of court.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:58pm

. I am sure they probably do a medly of their Jersey Boys songs but I guess I do not see the problem unles they are doing a total rip-off.

Have you seen the branding? Four guys, lots of black and red, condensed sans serif typeface (which is very similar if not identical to the one used in the Jersey Boys logo). if I were 70 and not knowing any better -- let's face it, that's a large portion of Jersey Boys' target audience -- it's pretty likely I'd be confused.

[JRybka]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 3:04pm

I guess it looks sort of like JERSEY BOYS but I don't really think it does.

[THDavis]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 6:48pm

I feel like the whole "In concert" bit should be enough to send up a red flag to those thinking it's Jersey Boys. I think the whole mess is silly. I don't really understand why J. Robert Spencer would be out of N2N so often for it though.

[wickedpoppinsfan]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 7:01pm

I agree THDavid, the whole lawsuit just sounds silly, and I'm sure not many people complained over getting confused. If they do then it's their problem for not looking into it more

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:08pm

As much as I love this show, and Hoff they deserve to be sued and lose. Watch the show on youtube, and its practically the whole score with exact same choreography. They do like one beach boys medley, but the rest is direct Jersey Boys copying. I would see it in a heartbeat, but Valli has a clear and obvious point. Its a shame its come down to this. I doubt we'll see an original Jersey boys reunion anytime soon because of this.

[tim10086]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:09pm

Yikes!

There are videos of this concert all over Youtube. I remember watching it just after it was uploaded (I always search for new Jersey Boys videos) and thinking "Hmmm...I hope they have permission..."

Would Hoff and Longoria have had their contracts terminated against their will? Otherwise, why not stay in the show, rather than hanging on to JB like this?


Here's one of them. The rest will be listed with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJHrRETHwPo

Tim

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 8:18pm

Didn't Longoria start having vocal problems after taking over the role full-time? I always figured that was why his run was so relatively short after his final promotion. A concert like this would mean he would keep singing much the same material, just not six times a week.

[musicalman2]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 12:52am

I saw the concert on YouTube and it does not remotely feel like Jersey Boys too me.

[massofmen]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 9:15am

ugh watching that is so boring.

[Piper3500]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 9:43am

"Why didn't they mention Tommy DeVito isn't related to Danny DeVito? Why mention Eva Longoria at all?"

ZACTLY!!

[hotjohn]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 9:58am

Christian Hoff is not related to David Hassel Hoff.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 10:27am

I'm surprised that they didn't mention that J. Robert Spencer is in fact the grandson of the late great actor Spencer Tracy.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 10:54am

He says.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 11:16am

They almost said "allegedly" he's not related to Eva Longoria, but we know better!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/13/10 at 12:21pm

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/04/12/2010-04-12_producers_of_broadways_jersey_boys_sue_copycat_production_of_the_boys__in_concer.html

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/10 at 6:31pm

Old URL. New name.

http://www.theboysinconcert.com/

AND OH WHAT A NAME IT IS.

Just go see. Go... click it.