SHARE

Frankie Valli's Granddaughter Will Portray Her Grandma In 'Jersey Boys'

Actress Olivia Valli has had a unique opportunity to research her latest role: her own grandmother, wife of singer Frankie Valli, The New York Post reported. 

Tony Award winner for Best Musical, "Jersey Boys" charts the rise to fame of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. This documentary-style musical tells the story of four blue-collar kids from Newark and their rise to fame.

Photo Credit: Playbill

Olivia Valli, who previously performed in the national tour of "Wicked," will appear as Mary Valli, her biological grandmother, in "Jersey Boys" on Broadway beginning May 20. 

The play tells the story of the Four Seasons, the singing group founded in the 1960s who notched megahits including "Sherry" and "Big Girls Don't Cry." 

The Four Seasons members largely came from the Newark area and the foursome rose to stardom performing in small clubs in New Jersey, from Union to Belleville. Belleville is also the hometown of founding member Tommy DeVito, where a street has been named for him. 

Lead singer Frankie Valli, 85, a Newark native inspired to pursue a music career after seeing a performance by his fellow Jersey recording artist Frank Sinatra, recorded 29 Top 40 hits with the group and nine more hits as a solo artist. 

to follow Daily Voice Cliffside Park-Edgewater and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE