Andrew Rannells has been tapped to play Bob Gaudio in the Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, beginning January 13. Sebastian Arcelus will play his final performance in the role on January 11 before beginning rehearsal for the new musical Happiness at Lincoln Center Theater. Jersey Boys continues its run at the August Wilson Theatre, directed by Des McAnuff.
As of January 13, the cast of Jersey Boys will include Rannells, Matt Bogart Nick Massi, Dominic Nolfi Tommy DeVito and Jarrod Spector Frankie Valli as the Four Seasons, with Peter Gregus and Mark Lotito. The cast also includes Miles Aubrey, Bridget Berger, Kris Coleman, Ken Dow, Heather Ferguson, Russell Fischer, John Hickman, Michelle Knight, Katie O’Toole, Joe Payne, Dominic Scaglione Jr., Sara Schmidt, Matthew Scott, Jake Speck, and Taylor Sternberg.
Rannells, who played Bob Gaudio on the Jersey Boys national tour, has appeared on Broadway as Link Larkin in Hairspray. His regional credits include Chris in Miss Saigon, Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Billy in The 60’s Project and Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Rannells has voiced characters for many popular cartoons, as well.
The true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Jersey Boys is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The show is currently playing in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, London, Toronto, in cities across the U.S. on a national tour, and will open in Melbourne, Australia.