‘Jersey Boys’ is unabridged and unrivaled in Vegas, producer says
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — After a hiatus, one of Broadway’s longest-running shows is back in Vegas as Jersey Boys retakes the Orleans Showroom stage.
According to John Bentham, the musical’s executive producer, the $12 million production features the set and costumes from the show’s original Broadway run. The last time Jersey Boys took the stage in the entertainment capital of the world, it was a truncated version that saw 30 minutes cut from the two-hour show. Not this version, which runs approximately two hours and 15 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission.
“[Audiences were] missing vital elements of the story and how these guys came to be,” Bentham said of the pieces that come together to create a faithful retelling of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ story. Another of those elements is wardrobe.
“This is one of the most difficult dressing shows I’ve ever worked on,” said Emily Fox Huaman, wardrobe supervisor for the production. She showed off some of the pieces her team manages during the musical. It’s a team that requires seven people backstage to pull off an assortment of speedy costume changes, one of which is accomplished in an eye-watering 15 seconds.
“People are just constantly on and off stage playing different characters,” Fox Huaman said before adding that certain tricks of the trade are employed for the quick costume changes, including using snaps and Velcro.
“It’s a whole other show backstage,” said Fox Huaman.
All the backstage chaos comes as a band simultaneously plays live music for the show, those musicians back the company, on stage singing and dancing seven times per week. Joey Barreiro, who plays Frankie Valli in the production, said the production brings a lot of pressure.
“It’s one of the best musicals, one of the best books of a musical ever written,” he said. “It’s really big shoes to fill, and a lot of our audience is really familiar with this music.”
Barreiro has performed all across the country but said Las Vegas audiences are different.
“There’s just something about Vegas that feels alive,” he said.
Jersey Boys plays at the Orleans every night except Tuesday, and a Saturday matinee is offered. Tickets are available for $69.
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