JERSEY BOYS Adds Two Weeks to Johannesburg Run

Showtime Management, South African producers of Jersey Boys, the sensational Broadway hit musical that has taken Johannesburg by storm, today announced a two-week extension of the show's season at the Teatro at Montecasino owing to overwhelming public demand. Jersey Boys must close on Sunday, 9 June 2013 in time for its Cape Town season at Artscape that opens on 19 June.

Brought to you by Investec in association with DSTV, Tsogo Sun and 702 Talk Radio, Jersey Boys is the newest Broadway musical to be staged in this country. Since the first curtain call on 3 April, audiences are responding with enough enthusiasm and loud cheering to lift the roof off the Teatro. So much so that some performances are momentarily halted as the performers wait for the lively crowd to settle. Critics are raving, hundreds of fans are posting accolades on-line and the cast receives a standing ovation at every performance!

"We've made a number of better-than-Broadway musicals in SA in the past 10 or 15 years, but I'm not sure we've made a better one," says Bruce Dennill of The Citizen while The Tonight's Paul Boekkooi believes "Jersey Boys is a musical treat without peer in its genre." "Jersey Boys is an almost flawless polished power-ride of music and story-telling," raves Jenny de Klerk, Saturday Star and Beeld's Anna-Retha Bouwer states "Jersey Boys is so heerlik soos 'n melkskommel in 'n afslaandak-Pontiac. Dit neem jou op 'n genotvolle rock 'n roll-reis na die 1960's, grondpad en al!"

The pace of the production is mind-blowing. The slick set changes, perfect performances and electrifying on stage energy combined with memorable music and angelic vocals that bring 'goose bumps' makes this true real-life story an absolute "must see ". There's no doubt, Jersey Boys has lifted the bar significantly and taken South African theatre to greater heights while attracting new audiences.

Modern technology gives new and seasoned patrons the opportunity to add their voices to those of the published critics. From celebrities to patrons the on-line fan support for the production is enormous and growing after every show. Tweets are unanimous: "I cannot say enough good things about Jersey Boys at the Teatro, Montecasino. What an amazingly talented cast in a world-class production" - David O'Sullivan @702David; "Brilliant! Superb SA cast, top band & staging. Pls see it!" - Alex Jay @AlexJayZA; "Brilliant, world class show. Book now SA!! It deserves a sell out run. Best show I have seen in years. DON'T MISS IT!!!!!!!" - Judy Ditchfield @JudyDitchfield; "Experiencing Jersey Boys at Montecasino & it is by far one of the best shows I have ever seen in SA. Theatre is alive and well." - Michael Eilertsen @MikeEilertsen and one of the most enthusiastic tweets; "Loving Jersey Boys - The singing is SO on point! It's like 702 Solid Gold on steroids. Which is my ideal Sunday." Keenan Kyle Harduth @KeenyKeenz.

Jersey Boys tells the true real-life story of how four poverty line kids from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records globally - all before they were thirty!

The Jersey Boys cast alongside the Four Seasons played by the incredibly talenTed Grant Almirall as Frankie Valli; Daniel Buys as Tommy DeVito; Kenneth Meyer as Bob Gaudio and television star Emmanuel Castis as Nick Massi with Jaco van Rensburg playing Frankie Valli at certain performances have crept into the hearts of South African's and created musical memories shared by friends and family alike. "I could not be prouder of this entire team of South African performers, musicians and crew. They made magic over 11 weeks in Singapore and now this proudly South African company that has been proclaimed equal to the very best in the world is filling home crowds with pride and receiving well-deserved admiration of their incredible talents." Says Hazel Feldman, Jersey Boys SA Producer.

Jersey Boys is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo with music direction, vocal arrangements and incidental music by Ron Melrose. The production design team is Klara Zieglerova, Scenic Designer; Jess Goldstein, Costume Designer; Howell Binkley, Lighting Designer; Steve Orich, Orchestrator and Michael Clark, Projection Designer.

Jersey Boys, winner of 54 major awards including the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and winner of the Best Musical Tony Award on Broadway, in London and Australia is not a tribute band but a full-scale Broadway musical that takes audiences behind the music" to tell the story of the group through each of the four members' perspectives. The storyline weaves a tale about friendships, hardships, fights and the success resulting from a New Jersey "handshake".

Enjoyed by more than 16 million people worldwide, the runaway worldwide smash hit musical, JERSEY BOYS is now on stage at the Teatro at Montecasino only until 9 June. Don't miss the electrifying performances of the golden greats that took Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! It's the hottest ticket in town so hurry and book now at Computicket service centers, visit www.computicket.com or call 0861 813 9000

To experience one of the great-value Show & Stay packages including accommodation and breakfast at the three Montecasino-based Tsogo Sun hotels or to enjoy a special night of great entertainment including theatre tickets, dining, gaming and added benefits, Montecasino offers a number of choice hospitality packages created for groups of twenty or more guests. All these packages can be booked through SunConnect on 011 367 4250, or at montecasino.reservations@tsogosun.com, for more info visit www.montecasino.co.za