Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania announced a star-fueled lineup for its next season of shows Tuesday night with a little help from some stars themselves.
Two cast members from the hit Broadway musical "Jersey Boys," John Michael Dias and Christopher DeAngelis, greeted the crowd gathered at Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple after the league announced the musical's national tour will stop in the city for two weeks in February. People begged the league for years to bring "Jersey Boys" to Scranton, said Tony Nicosia, the league's executive director.
"It's a clear winner," he said.
In addition to "Jersey Boys," the season's main shows will include "Hello, Dolly!" starring Emmy winner Sally Struthers in the title role from Oct. 11 to 13; '80s rock musical "Rock of Ages" from March 28 to 30; "Cirque Dreams Rocks," with circus performers like aerialists and strongmen accompanied by a live band, from April 11 to 13; and "An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin," in which the Tony winners and Broadway legends sing some of the theater's most beloved songs, from May 9 to 11.
Three productions not included in the league's season tickets will include Blue Man Group and one-man comedy "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy," starring Steve Solomon, on dates to be announced this fall and next spring, respectively, and "Rain - A Tribute to the Beatles," on March 5.
But loudest applause from the crowd came with the announcement of "Jersey Boys," which the league will present from Tuesday, Feb. 4, to Sunday, Feb. 16. Mr. Dias and Mr. DeAngelis spoke on stage about the Tony-winning show, which traces the history of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Mr. Dias, who portrays Mr. Valli, then performed excerpts from the Four Seasons songs "My Eyes Adored You" and "Can't Take My Eyes off You."
Mr. Dias credits the music from "Jersey Boys" with helping make the show such a hit.
"It's a portal to a lot of people's childhood," he said after performing, "and it sort of appeals to everyone."
It has a great story, too, added Mr. DeAngelis, a swing in the cast.
"It's rags to riches with no apologies," he said.
The "Jersey Boys" performance schedule will mirror that of a Broadway show, Mr. Nicosia said, with shows running Tuesdays through Sundays. Albert Nocciolino, president and founder of NAC Entertainment, with which the league works to bring shows to Scranton, estimated "Jersey Boys" could give a $7 million boost to the local economy during its stay in the city. The show's cast and crew alone will occupy more than 100 hotel rooms daily, he said.
Mr. Nicosia expects ticket costs will remain close to those from last season.
Contact the writer: cheaney@timesshamrock.com, @cheaneyTT on TwitterNew season
The season's main shows include:
n "Hello, Dolly!", Oct. 11 to 13
n "Jersey Boys," Feb. 4 to 16
n "Rock of Ages," March 28 to 30
n "Cirque Dreams Rocks," April 11 to 13
n "An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin," May 9 to 11
The league also will present three special performances not included with season tickets:
n Blue Man Group, fall 2013
n "Rain - A Tribute to the Beatles," March 5
n "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy," spring 2014
More information: 342-7784 or www.broadwayscranton.com.