SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – Broadway is back! The story of one of your favorite rock bands makes its way to the Suncoast.
Jersey Boys is coming to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall this week.
“I’m a jersey girl, so when I was first able to bring the Jersey Boys, I was really happy about it,” Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Executive Director Mary Bensel said.
It’s an award-winning Broadway musical based on the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, an American Rock Band that became famous in the 60s.
“Every song is a hit. Everybody knows every song,” Bensel said. “‘Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sherri, Walk Like a Man.’”
“You might know the music, but you might not know the story,” Jersey Boys’ Francine character Amy Coelho said. “The show is just so well-written and it’s all true.”
Coelho is a St. Pete native who plays Valli’s daughter, Francine.
“She was a singer too just like her dad,” Coelho said. “They had sort of a troubled relationship, and we get to see a little bit of that in the show.”
The performances of Jersey Boys at the Van Wezel start Tuesday with two evening shows and one afternoon show.
“After such a long time of Broadway being gone, this is a show that will cheer you up and make you want to sing and dance,” Bensel said.
The house is open to full capacity. Everyone who plans on watching the show must have a negative covid test or vaccination card. Masks are required.
“I just want people to understand, these are union shows,” Bensel said. “These actors are part of Actors’ Equity [Association] and stagehands are part of IATSE. And the rules for us to be able to do a show during this COVID time is that we have to wear or a mask or else the actors wouldn’t perform.”
“I’m so excited to be back with the show,” Coelho said.
When buying tickets, be wary of third-party sellers. You can find the Van Wezel’s official website, here.