Mark Ballas to star in Jersey Boys for final run

Actor/dancer Mark Ballas will be the final actor to portray Frankie Valli when long-running musical Jersey Boys closes next year (17).

The Dancing with the Stars pro has been cast as the music icon in the show about Valli's group, the Four Seasons, and will make his Broadway debut on 18 October (16).

"I've been a fan of this show since it came out," Mark told Entertainment Tonight of his upcoming role. "I've seen it on (London's) West End, I've seen it in Vegas, I've seen it numerous times in New York, and it's actually coming to a close… this is the last run, and I'm going to be able to play the final Frankie on Broadway, so this is incredible. I'm super excited."

Ballas will stay on with the production until the final curtain comes down at the August Wilson Theatre on 15 January (17), ending a successful 11-year-run on the Great White Way.

Since opening in 2005, more than 24 million people will have seen the jukebox musical, which has raked in over $2 billion in ticket sales. When Jersey Boys closes, it will have played 4,642 performances, which makes it the 12th-longest running show in Broadway history.

The show, which follows the rise and fall of the popular 1960s rock 'n roll group, won the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, as well as the 2009 Olivier Award for Best Musical.

The soundtrack, which features Four Seasons hits like Sherry, December 1963 (Oh, What A Night), and Can't Take My Eyes Off You, also won a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

Jersey Boys features direction by Tony winner Des McAnuff, while former Four Seasons members Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe penned the music and lyrics respectively.