La Jolla Playhouse Extends Jersey Boys Through January 16

The La Jolla Playhouse production of Jersey Boys, based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, has been extended for a third time. The show will now play an additional two weeks through January 16.

Featuring the Four Seasons' hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll" and "Oh What a Night," among others, Jersey Boys is the story of how four blue-collar boys played by J. Robert Spencer, David Noroña, Daniel Reichard and Christian Hoff from the wrong side of the tracks became the biggest doo-wop sensation of all time. Jersey Boys features a book by Academy and Emmy Award winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe. Sergio Trujillo serves as choreographer, Ron Melrose is the musical director and orchestrations are by Steve Orich.

Jersey Boys opened at La Jolla this week to a mixed to positive critical reception. In his review of the piece, Variety's Joel Hirschhorn wrote: "Although many tunes showcased in this Broadway-aimed production don't achieve maximum impact--due to frustratingly abrupt cutoffs--and the Marshall Brickman/Rick Elice book sometimes sets aside gritty realism for corny humor, Jersey Boys is consistently enjoyable, a fleshed-out biopic."

Jersey Boys, directed by Des McAnuff, has Dodger Theatricals ready to back its Broadway transfer. The musical has become the biggest box office draw at the La Jolla Playhouse since the theater hosted Rent in 1997.