My First: Interview with Jon Lee, star of Jersey Boys
July 15, 2011
There’s got to be a first time for everyone, even West End stars. Here’s the low-down on the first show-biz experiences of actor and singer Jon Lee, currently starring in Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Jon Lee
My First audition…
was for Oliver! My parents drove me to London, we were living in Devon at the time. I remember the queue going round the block. It was at the Lyric theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. There were so many kids there. I came away feeling really nervous as I wanted to audition for the part of Oliver! but they were only letting all the kids sing a verse of Consider Yourself that day.
My First job…
was Oliver! After about 6 more auditions and I got the part! Think I had just turned 12.
My First kiss…
was at the bottom of the playing field when I was 11 or 12. There was a little hill that went down into a ditch full of stinging nettles and brambles…. And who said romance was dead?
My First time on stage…
not including school plays, was with my local amateur dramatics group in Newton Abbot. I think it was The Boyfriend although with the amount of pancake make-up and lipstick, it could have been La Cage Aux Folles!
Jon Lee as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. Photo: Hugo Glendinning
was Oliver! It made me realise that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I then won a scholarship to go to the Sylvia Young theatre school and everything just fell into place after that.
My First celebrity encounter…
was Jonathan Pryce who was playing Fagin at the time. I had no idea who he was so I wasn’t daunted or star struck at all. He was such a lovely man, so friendly. He always used to make me laugh on stage.
My First visit to see a West End show…
My folks took me to see Les Mis, I remember watching the show, pointing at Marius and saying to my Dad “I’m gonna play that role one day”
Jon Lee’s career spans theatre, TV, film and music, from playing lead roles in Cameron Mackintosh’s productions of Oliver! and Les Miserables, to appearing in BBC TV’s EastEnders and as a member of internationally successful pop group S Club 7. He is currently starring as Frankie Valli in the West End production of the Broadway hit show Jersey Boys.
LINKS
Book tickets to Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre in London
“Jersey Boys” Celebrates Summer With New Sunday Performances Times From Sunday 5 June At The Prince Edward Theatre
May 19, 2011
To celebrate summer, Sunday performances of the international multi award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS at the Prince Edward Theatre will start at the later time of 5.00pm from Sunday 5 June, for 13 weeks through to 28 August. Tuesday-Saturday performances will continue at 7.30pm, with Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 3.00pm. Sunday performances will revert to 3.00pm on Sunday 4 September.
In London, the cast of JERSEY BOYS is led by Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli, Matthew Wycliffe as Bob Gaudio, Jon Boydon as Tommy DeVito and Eugene McCoy as Nick Massi. Jon Lee plays the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances. The cast also includes Carl Au, Charlie Bull, Mark Carroll, Michael Conway, Chris Gardner, Lucinda Gill, Lauren Hall, Trina Hill, Mark Isherwood, Paul Iveson, Stuart Milligan, Tom Oakley, Jake Samuels, Jo Servi, Wayne Smith, Ben Wheeler and Rachael Wooding.
JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30. The show is packed with their hits, including ‘Beggin’’, ‘Sherry’, ‘Walk Like A Man’, ‘December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘My Eyes Adored You’, ‘Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got)’, ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, ‘Working My Way Back to You’, ‘Fallen Angel’, ‘Rag Doll’ and ‘Who Loves You’.
JERSEY BOYS has 54 major international awards to its name and originally opened on Broadway in 2006. The show opened in London’s West End in 2008, where it has so far been seen by over 1.5 million people at more than 1300 performances. As well as still running on Broadway and in the West End, JERSEY BOYS can be seen on a National Tour of the United States and in Australia.
JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The London production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. JERSEY BOYS has scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projections design by Michael Clark. The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music supervision and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose.
JERSEY BOYS is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, in association with Latitude Link and Rick Steiner, and a small group of UK colleagues.
Release issued by: Amanda Malpass Media
LINKS
SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre in London
LISTINGS: See more London theatre Sunday shows
Jersey Boys The Musical – Save £22.50
April 27, 2011
Save £22.50 on tickets to see the Olivier award winning musical Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
Offer valid Tuesday to Thursday evenings and Tuesday and Sunday matinees 3 May to the 19 June 2011
JERSEY BOYS is the feel-good musical that has smashed all box office records at the Prince Edward Theatre in London and won over 53 major awards around the world, including the Olivier Award for BEST NEW MUSICAL.
This internationally acclaimed hit musical tells the incredible story of the rise to stardom of one of the most successful bands in pop music history – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Discover how these four New Jersey boys form the wrong side of the tracks invented their own unique sound, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide. With spectacular performances of all their hits, JERSEY BOYS is the electrifying true life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; the mob, the heartaches, the triumphs and the music.
This sensational production features many of the bands worldwide hits, including: BEGGIN‘, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, OH WHAT A NIGHT, WALK LIKE A MAN, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), SHERRY, BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY and many more.
JERSEY BOYS has now been seen by over 4 million people worldwide.
‘Oh what a night of magical memories….This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power’ Daily Express.
‘Let’s hear it for the Boys…..I suspect, be some time before London says Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) to the phenomenal Jersey Boys’ Daily Telegraph.
Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as ‘Sherry,’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,’ ‘Oh, What a Night’ and many more.
Directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasons’ own Bob Gaudio, it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. McAnuff is on board for the London version of the show, as are the Broadway creative team: choreographer Sergio Trujillo, production designer Klara Zieglerova, lighting designer Binkley and costume designer Jess Goldstein.
BOOK NOW: Save £22.50 on tickets to see Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
Offer valid Tuesday to Thursday evenings and Tuesday and Sunday matinees 3 May to the 19 June 2011
VIDEO: Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
November 2, 2010
Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and features such hits as Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You and Oh, What a Night.
Book tickets to Jersey Boys
More information about the show
More information about the Prince Edward Theatre
VIDEO
Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
LINKS
Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV
Prince Edward Theatre in London – Map
October 11, 2010
A London map highlighting the location of the Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS
Read more about the theatre, including What’s On, Journey Planner, Seating Plan, Parking and Transport
Back to all London Maps of Theatres
View westendtheatre.com – West End Theatres in a larger map
Prince Edward Theatre
September 23, 2010
QUICK FACTS
Opened: 3 April 1930
Designed by: Edward A. Stone with Marc-Henri and Laverdet and Gaston Laverdet
First production: Rio Rita by Harry Tierney
Number of seats: 1,640
Jersey Boys tickets at the Prince Edward Theatre
July 29, 2010
Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as ‘Sherry,’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,’ ‘Oh, What a Night’ and many more.
Directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasons’ own Bob Gaudio, it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. McAnuff is on board for the London version of the show, as are the Broadway creative team: choreographer Sergio Trujillo, production designer Klara Zieglerova, lighting designer Binkley and costume designer Jess Goldstein.
‘Oh what a night of magical memories….This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power’ Daily Express.
Book tickets to see Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theare in London
Jersey Boys The Musical – Save £17.50
May 7, 2010
Save £17.50 on tickets to see the Olivier award winning musical Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
Offer valid Tuesday-Thursday Evenings, Tuesday and Sunday Matinee until 17th June 2010 – excluding 31 May – 4 June
JERSEY BOYS is the feel-good musical that has smashed all box office records at the Prince Edward Theatre in London and won over 20 major awards around the world, including the 2009 Olivier Award for BEST NEW MUSICAL.
This internationally acclaimed hit musical tells the incredible story of the rise to stardom of one of the most successful bands in pop music history – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Discover how these four New Jersey boys form the wrong side of the tracks invented their own unique sound, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide. With spectacular performances of all their hits, JERSEY BOYS is the electrifying true life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; the mob, the heartaches, the triumphs and the music.
This sensational production features many of the bands worldwide hits, including: BEGGIN‘, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, OH WHAT A NIGHT, WALK LIKE A MAN, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), SHERRY, BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY and many more.
JERSEY BOYS has now been seen by over 4 million people worldwide.
MORE ABOUT JERSEY BOYS
‘Oh what a night of magical memories….This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power’ Daily Express.
‘Let’s hear it for the Boys…..I suspect, be some time before London says Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) to the phenomenal Jersey Boys’ Daily Telegraph.
Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as ‘Sherry,’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,’ ‘Oh, What a Night’ and many more.
Directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasons’ own Bob Gaudio, it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. McAnuff is on board for the London version of the show, as are the Broadway creative team: choreographer Sergio Trujillo, production designer Klara Zieglerova, lighting designer Binkley and costume designer Jess Goldstein.
BOOK NOW: Save £17.50 on tickets to see Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
Offer valid Tuesday-Thursday Evenings, Tuesday and Sunday Matinee until 17th June 2010 – excluding 31 May – 4 June
Birthday Billy, Priscilla and Boys
March 17, 2010
Billy Elliot, Priscilla Queen of The Desert and Jersey Boys will all celebrate their birthdays this month in the West End.
19 BILLYS TO CELEBRATE SHOW’S ANNIVERSARY
Billy Elliot will celebrate its 5th anniversary in the West End on 31 March 2010 by choreographing a special finale featuring a chorus line of 19 past, present and future Billy Elliots.
Rhys Yeomans joins the cast of Billys
21 boys in all have played the role in London since its world premiere and from the 24 March 2010 12 years old Rhys Yeomans from Oldham will become the 40th Billy Elliot worldwide. He started dancing at the age of 9 and joins three other Billys alternating in the role – Dean-Charles Chapman, Oliver Gardner and Tom Holland. Other members of the cast include West End star Joanna Riding as Mrs Wilkinson.
The acclaimed musical opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2005 and has now been seen by over 4.5 million people worldwide. Other productions have included Sydney and Melbourne, and its current successful run on Broadway. It will start in Chicago from 18 March with Korea opening in August 2010, and Toronto and Japan in 2011, as well as a forthcoming North American tour and planned productions in Germany and Holland.
JERSEY BOYS CELEBRATES SECOND BIRTHDAY
Jersey Boys celebrates 2nd Birthday
Tomorrow night in the West End, Jersey Boys will celebrate its second birthday, having opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on 18 March 2008.
New cast members are joining the show for the third year of its run: Jon Boydon (We Will Rock You, Grease) as Tommy DeVito and Eugene McCoy (Mamma Mia!) as Nick Massi. The show has won 21 international awards since opening on Broadway in 2006 including an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Other cast includes Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli and Stephen Ashfield as Bob Gaudio.
The show follows the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and their remarkable rise to stardom as one of the most successful bands in pop history.
PRISCILLA IS ONE THIS MONTH
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Also this month, Priscilla Queen of the Desert will celebrate its first birthday at the Palace Theatre (yes, it really has only been a year!) on 23 March.
Priscilla recently won the Best New Musical award at the Whatsonstage awards and has been nominated for a number of 2010 Olivier Awards. Jason Donovan continues to star in the show, alongside Don Gallagher as Bernadette and Oliver Thornton as Adam.
The musical follows three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship, and features an array of outrageous costumes and a score of dance-floor classics.
Book tickets to BILLY ELLIOT at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London
Book tickets to PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT at the Palace Theatre in London
Book tickets to JERSEY BOYS at the Prince Edward Theatre in London
Jersey Boys – Save £15 on this award winning show
February 25, 2010
Valid Tuesday to Thursday evenings
JERSEY BOYS is the feel-good musical that has smashed all box office records at the Prince Edward Theatre in London and won over 20 major awards around the world, including the 2009 Olivier Award for BEST NEW MUSICAL.
This internationally acclaimed hit musical tells the incredible story of the rise to stardom of one of the most successful bands in pop music history – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Discover how these four New Jersey boys form the wrong side of the tracks invented their own unique sound, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide. With spectacular performances of all their hits, JERSEY BOYS is the electrifying true life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; the mob, the heartaches, the triumphs and the music.
This sensational production features many of the bands worldwide hits, including: BEGGIN‘, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, OH WHAT A NIGHT, WALK LIKE A MAN, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), SHERRY, BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY and many more.
JERSEY BOYS has now been seen by over 4 million people worldwide.
MORE ABOUT JERSEY BOYS
‘Oh what a night of magical memories….This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power’ Daily Express.
‘Let’s hear it for the Boys…..I suspect, be some time before London says Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) to the phenomenal Jersey Boys’ Daily Telegraph.
Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as ‘Sherry,’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,’ ‘Oh, What a Night’ and many more.
Directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasons’ own Bob Gaudio, it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. McAnuff is on board for the London version of the show, as are the Broadway creative team: choreographer Sergio Trujillo, production designer Klara Zieglerova, lighting designer Binkley and costume designer Jess Goldstein.
Valid Tuesday to Thursday evenings
