Quotable Quotes: Jersey Boys Past and Present on the Opening Night Red Carpet

WHAT: Opening Night of Jersey Boys, the rockin' story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

WHERE: Bows at the August Wilson Theatre; party at the Marriott Marquis

WHEN: Sunday, November 6, 2005

"This has been a dream in the making for a long time, so to actually see it being performed on a Broadway stage is-- don't really have any words to tell you what the feeling is like--I'm just over the top. Maybe I'm really dreaming this whole thing." --Iconic crooner Frankie Valli, who took a bow with his fellow Four Seasons and the cast of the musical after the show

"It is being a rock star. There are moments in the show when you are performing a song for an audience the same way that the character you're playing would have, so the disconnect between actor and character is no longer there…. With [the original band members] standing to our left, taking that bow together, it's just sort of a physical reminder of the fact that we're building and presenting their legacy, which is a privilege to do." --John Lloyd Young, who portrays legendary singer Frankie Valli

"What's been so terrific, is that it isn't really a concert, but at some moments it is, but not so much so that it pulls you out of the story. I think the story needed to be told…. They dance better than we did, and they sing better than we did, and they look better than we did." --Original Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio, who also co-wrote the show's music and lyrics

"The response is so incredibly overwhelming. There's a real magic in the room because the audience is experiencing these songs in so many different ways at the same time. They're seeing it live on stage, they're understanding the story in a different way, and they're also celebrating the music of their lives, the music of their youths, of their heydays." --Daniel Reichard, who portrays Bob Gaudio, on audience reaction

"This is probably a highlight of my life. To see your life being played on stage is going to top everything. It's so overwhelming because you're listening to somebody cheer songs for the last 40-50 years. It's so unbelievable. I feel like I'm 18 years old." --Original Four Seasons member Tommy DeVito

"Because of the way we interact with the audience, it feels as if we are receiving not only an applause or an ovation for our performances, which I hope we're doing, but we also have the weight of three decades or more of these songs and people's investment in the songs. So it's a ride unlike any other." --Christian Hoff, who portrays Tommy DeVito

"What's so great about this show is this a Tri-State area show. This is a Jersey show. New York and Jersey are brothers. This really celebrates the goodness and the heart of New Jersey and the heart of this city and the connection that we have with each other." --J. Robert Spencer, who portrays the late Nick Massi

"It has a very surreal kind of context. It's hard to describe watching a portrayal of where you've been, what you've done, who you were, who you are--it's kind of strange. But it's exhilarating at the same time…. I think the guys that play the Four Seasons are beyond any hope of bettering. They are the best." --Bob Crewe, seasoned songwriter and music producer, who co-wrote the music and lyrics for the show

"They really became a band. They really bonded. They're very, very loyal to each other. They did that work without me, or maybe in spite of me." Jersey Boys director Des McAnuff on his tight cast

"At one point we discussed being at the Hirschfeld Theatre because it's the theater on Broadway that's closest to New Jersey. So they wouldn't have to drive another block." --Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote the book for Jersey Boys

"We did stipulate that our theater had to at least be facing west. Sort of like, you want your synagogues to be facing east toward Jerusalem; we wanted to be facing west toward Newark." --Rick Elice, who co-wrote the book for the musical

"It's like I'm choreographing for the boy band of today. It's like I'm on MTV. I actually spent a lot of time with John Lloyd Young in the studio this past summer. We spent hours and hours tailoring every move that he does on stage. Johnny's not a mover, so, I had to really, really, really figure out what was the best fit for him." --Jersey Boys choreographer Sergio Trujillo

"It's like a wave of affection. If you don't sort of steady yourself, it could topple you over." --John Lloyd Young on the overwhelming audience response

"This show's electric, and it connects with people in such a passionate way that they just want to leap to their feet every five seconds. Seriously. It's fulfilling as hell, I tell ya." --J. Robert Spencer

"I almost died. I almost just cried my eyes out. It was deeply emotional moment." --Daniel Reichard, on being joined onstage by the original members of the Four Seasons during the curtain call

"The saddest part for me is the fact that Nicky [Massi] is not here. He wasn't here to see it, but in my heart and soul, I really do know that he's looking down, and he's got a big smile on his face." --Frankie Valli, paying homage to the deceased member of the Four Seasons

"What really gets me is that at this age I became a star again. I hope I can handle it now." --Tommy DeVito

Interviews by Paul Wontorek
Compiled by Lyssa Mandel