We decide that a drink is in order so each of us has one. Mine is so strong that it’s all I can do to just sip at it, waiting for the ice to melt to dilute it somewhat. We milk our drinks and chat a bit until 6:00 PM. Now it’s time to walk across 52nd St. to the August Wilson Theatre and a once in a lifetime experience. Outside of the theatre there is a huge crowd of people, each hoping to get a glimpse of the many celebrities as they exit their limousines. Television crews are on hand to record the occasion. No one is interested in us as we make our way through the crowd to the theatre doors. Wonder why? We shoulda' had a limo.

We find our way to our seats, second row, whoo-hoo, we are somebody, even if just in our own minds. I stand with my back to the stage and watch as celebrity after celebrity make their way to their seats. Who did I see? I’m not a name dropper so I’ll leave it at that. OK, just a few of those that I saw, Robert DiNero, Joe Pesci, Frankie Avalon, DJ "Cousin" Bruce Morrow, a whole mob of Sopranos, and more. If you are interested there are on-line sites that you can visit to see many who were in attendance.

The 6:30 PM showtime comes and goes as we wait for Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, and Tommy DeVito to arrive. What’s so special about them that the show had to be held up? Some people! At last, arrive they do, to an extended standing ovation. With everyone present and accounted for, it’s showtime.

There have been plenty of reviews posted, both by critics and fans, no need to go over the play in any detail here. I’ll just summarize by saying that the cast was on top of their game. I couldn’t imagine the pressure on these young people knowing the makeup of that night’s audience. The pressure didn’t show in the least, not a beat was missed; the result was three standing ovations. Sure you can say the deck was stacked, regardless it was an excellent performance.

Two and one half hours, the show is over. We wait until the exit music completes, as the instrumentalists performing such are simply superb. We trail just about everyone leaving the theatre and start our walk to the Marriott Marquis Hotel at Broadway and 45th St. for the Opening Night Party. We make our way up to the Broadway Ballroom where we proudly, but hesitantly, hand over our admission ticket. I really wanted to keep mine. At one point we were a few yards behind Peter Boyle. I wanted to get my wife’s attention but I couldn’t recall the name of the show (Everybody Loves Raymond), so I said to her, “look, it’s the holy crap guy.” Laughter came from behind us as I guess I was a bit loud. We enter an exquisite and very large room, with a ceiling at least 50 feet high. It's already bustling with the very large crowd. It’s hard to explain with mere words this sight to behold. Multiple food stations are set up, with everything from exotic foods to White Castle hamburgers, I made sure I had a few of those. Thirsty? No need, beverage counters abound. Live entertainment is on stage; a large dance floor is packed shoulder to shoulder at times. A very special cake is front and center on the dessert table. Rather than trying to explain this cake you can view it from among the Opening Night images.

After we eat and partake of a few thirst quenching drinks Mary and I walk the floor. We rub elbows with Paul Schaeffer (David Letterman’s band leader). He is very nice, as were all of the celebs we bumped, and I mean bumped, into. At one point some woman thought that Mary was Paul’s wife. Mary didn't correct her. Hmmm. I see a familiar face, no it can’t be, it is the spitting image of Nick Massi. It is Nick’s son, Nick Jr. I introduce Mary and myself and tell him what his father has meant to the fans of the Four Seasons. He was very gracious as he squeezes my hand in appreciation. The band was very loud and conversation was difficult. Not knowing Nick, and he not knowing me, I felt very uncomfortable asking for contact information, I guess you can say that is a fault of mine. I will endeavor to make contact at some future date. As we continue our trek I introduce Mary to those that I have come to know over the previous two month period, she is impressed, holy crap, I am impressed. We stop for a short time to talk with Tommy DeVito and Frankie Valli. I seek out Bob Gaudio as it is he who made it possible for Mary and me to experience this night. I introduce Mary to Bob and we thank him. He is very gracious with his response, which will remain between he, Mary and myself.

The long night is coming to an end, doesn’t seem possible that the hours could have flown by so quickly. Just outside of the ballroom we encounter again some of those that we had met earlier. We stop and have another gab session; all is good in the world.

Outside, I didn’t take note of the time, we bid a goodnight to Charles and Cathy. We quickly hail a cab to take us back to our hotel where we unwind a bit before going to bed. Wake up time came upon us much too quickly and I realized just what a blur last night was. Now it’s time to head back home, away from all of the excitement surrounding Jersey Boys. One thing is for sure, I’ll be back.

Frank Rovello 11/20/05

PS: It seems that with every excellent experience there has to be some rain. If you’re interested click here to read about my downburst.