JERSEY BOYS on the covers of Where Magazine, Las Vegas Magazine, Las Vegas Review-Journal (Neon), 24/7 Magazine and LA Times Vegas Travel Guide
JERSEY BOYS has been making their mark on a variety of covers in anticipation of the exciting re-launch of the show at Paris Las Vegas. The show officially kicks off an open ended run at its new home on March 16.
It’s so exciting to work on such a beloved show worldwide and even more exciting to have the opportunity to open the show at Paris Las Vegas and tell its story to Las Vegas audiences and beyond.
In addition to being “cover boys”, JESREY BOYS has performed at the opening of The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas and at the NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They were also welcomed in style to Paris Las Vegas in an exciting ceremony where employees surprised the cast with a “flash mob,” and they have been interviewed on many local TV and radio stations in support of the opening. They’ve been busy boys getting ready for the opening and now the curtain is about to rise on the new engagement.
If you haven’t seen the show or even if you have, come out and see it at Paris Las Vegas. It’s a must see!
Ces Soiree-La! (That’s French for Oh! What a Night!)
I recently had the opportunity to organize a unique event with the cast of Jersey Boys to benefit HELP of Southern Nevada at Fashion Show mall. The event surrounded a clothing drive and a fashion show where the cast were the models, showcasing the latest looks from Banana Republic’s “Mad Men” collection. The community was invited to see the runway show and bring their new or gently used clothing donations in exchange for the opportunity to meet the cast and win exciting prizes.
One of my favorite parts of the event was when a 2-year-old boy named Braden met the cast. He knows all of Jersey Boys’ music by heart and performed “Big Girls Don’t Cry” for the cast. Braden’s face lit up when the cast joined in from the behind the meet and greet table and he began dancing. Our office has since received a note from Braden’s mom saying, “He is still talking about them all the time!” Check out this video of Braden’s experience here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiYA7FbWD-E
One of the best parts of my job is seeing how big of an effect the cast members have on the community. They are always more than willing to volunteer their time-off to participate in charitable events like this, meet their fans and go above and beyond for a good cause. (In this case, becoming models for an afternoon!)
That afternoon was a huge success and HELP of Southern Nevada received clothing donations that will help dozens of their clients.
Also, a special thanks goes to 8 News Now anchor Dayna Roselli who emceed the event!
JERSEY BOYS celebrated its third anniversary on May 12 in front of a packed theatre at The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino. The show was recently named the “Best Show” by the readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and when you step into that theatre—there is no question about the result of that poll.
As I stood at the foot of the stage that night at curtain call, the energy in the theatre was astonishing. It took cast member Travis Cloer several attempts to quiet the audience to begin the third anniversary cake presentation. When he finally did, he asked, “How did you like the show?” and the theatre erupted with applause and cheers again. A group of men in the front row were cheering, “One more song! One more song!”
That evening, the full cast came together (even actors who weren’t on that night!) to stand as one and show their thanks and appreciation for the fans that continue to make this show such a success in Las Vegas. The celebration even included what every good Vegas party needs—Vegas showgirls! The beautiful ladies rose from beneath the stage and presented a one-of-a-kind Jersey Boys celebratory cake to the cast and crew.
One of the most comical moments of the evening was when the boys tried to blow out the candles on the cake and unbeknownst to them, they were trick candles. “Aww…who did it?!” asked cast member Deven May, resulting in the audience going into fits of laughter.
Even though I was working, I found myself drawn into the celebration as a captive member of the audience, laughing and cheering on what I truly believe to be one of the most talented groups of people in Las Vegas. As the cast said their final goodbyes and that recognizable music cued up, I looked up at the cast on stage and their smiles said it all. Oh, what a night…
There is no doubt why three years later, JERSEY BOYS is still packing in enthusiastic audiences night after night. Cheers to three more years!
Government officials, community leaders, Las Vegas performers, local celebrities and 8,500 Las Vegas locals arrived all in one place on April 17. This could only mean one thing…Aid for AIDS of Nevada’s annual AIDS Walk. After weeks of prepping for an event that people raved about, I had to say my expectations were set quite high for the 2011 Walk. To my surprise, the Walk turned out to be much more than I expected! Phenomenal performances by Las Vegas’ elite, quality sponsors from the community and an amazing staff that worked ruthlessly to create a spectacular event.
The morning started with an early arrival to the seemly destitute parking lot covered in tents. Within a half hour, hundreds of supporters began filling the venue, electrifying the area into a full-fledge celebration. Walkers perused through sponsor booths, enjoying Mexican small places from Rubio’s, and spinning a giant prize wheel at the QVegas tent. My teammate Alison and I melted at the sight of everything fluffy and furry as dogs seemed to be just as common as humans at this event.
9:00 a.m. hit and local news personality, Chris Saldana kicked of the morning by introducing the Vegas Glee Club, leaving the audience speechless with their impressive remediation of Bon Jovi’s Livin on a Prayer and Bonnie Tyler’s Holdin Out for A Hero. The crowd erupted when the next performance was announced and inched as close to the stage as allowed. Highly recognizable by their white masks, the Jabbawockeez’s were mind blowing as the men robotically moved across the stage to their mixed track. By the end of their alluring five minute performance, I found myself planning a date to see their entire show at the Monte Carlo.
Various politicians took the stage thanking not only AFAN for its dedication to the city but for the community’s efforts. The entertainment lineup progressed as another Las Vegas resident prepared for their first AIDS Walk performance. The Jersey Boys sang a collaboration of songs from their famous strip production which meshed perfectly with the event, leaving the crowd screaming “Walk!”
Penn & Teller closed the opening ceremony by thanking participants that joined the Penn & Teller Challenge as well as giving the crowd a few laughs. The duo made their way to the start line taking the first few steps as grand marshals then the barriers were removed and thousands of walkers joined in. Local celebrities, Holly Madison and Josh Strickland we spotted among the crowd, walking in honor of Josh’s team Strickly Strollin. I can truly say this Sunday morning was the perfect combination of excitement and celebration for an amazing cause here in Southern Nevada!
My final thoughts – sunscreen. This Minnesota girl takes the hue of red to a new level and will be packing SPF for next year’s festivities.
To celebrate the milestone, the show held the Walk Like A Man Shoe Drive to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada. The plan was to give away 1,000 tickets to Saturday night’s show for 1,000 pairs of shoes to benefit underprivileged kids in Las Vegas.
The first ones in line arrived at 5 a.m. Seven hours before we started passing out tickets. By 10 more than 1,000 were in line, which began snaking into the Palazzo casino. By 11:30, it wrapped around the casino and headed into the Venetian. More than 3,000 turned out for the tickets. Many showed up, saw the line, handed over their shoes and said, “Thanks for doing this. We’ll try next time.”
The initial 1,000 tickets were gone in 38 minutes. Then the producers of JERSEY BOYS did something extraordinary: they gave the green light to another 1,000. Then more after that. Las Vegas has embraced JERSEY BOYS since opening night, so it was the show’s turn to embrace it right back. If you brought shoes to help a child, you were getting a ticket. Maybe not Saturday night, but some night.
The spirit of giving carried over into that night’s performance. The crowd was electric and the show ran long because the applause after each song wouldn’t stop.
The officials at the Boys and Girls Club said that very often self esteem starts with shoes. It’s hard to feel good about yourself in old, worn-out shoes. Beginning this week, at least 3,000 kids will start feeling better about themselves, thanks to Las Vegas and JERSEY BOYS.
