Fans of “Dancing with the Stars” can soon catch one of that show’s most popular professional dancers (and two-time mirrorball trophy champ) on the Great White Way when Mark Ballas makes his Broadway debut starring as the final Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” as the show ends its 11-year run on Jan. 15, 2017.
The Tony Award-winning musical will end its historic run at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City with Ballas in the central role as the legendary singer. The Emmy-winning Ballas will step into the role on Oct. 18 and will continue through the end of the run next year. (Mauricio Pérez will continue to play Valli at certain performances during the week).
The Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys” stars Quinn VanAntwerp (from left), Mauricio Perez, Richard H. Blake and Matt Bogart. | PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2016 JOAN MARCUS
The musical, which tells the tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, opened on Broadway in 2005 and will close after more than 4,200 performances, making it the 12th longest-running show in Broadway history. Thanks to world-wide tours, including sit-down productions in Chicago, the musical has grossed more $2 billion and has been seen by over 24 million people.
Ballas, an accomplished electric guitar player, currently performs in the duo Alexander Jean, with his fiancée BC Jean. Their single, “Roses and Violets” from their debut EP “Head High” both debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart.
Musicians Mark Ballas and BC Jean of Alexander Jean perform onstage during BritWeek’s 10th Anniversary VIP Reception & Gala at Fairmont Hotel on May 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images
