What's Happening in Champaign, IL…

Theatergoers in Champaign have a treat coming, when one of the most popular musicals of recent years makes its way to the city.

“Jersey Boys,” the Tony-winning smash hit musical about the singing group The Four Seasons, is coming to Champaign. The show, which opened in 2005, is what is known as a “jukebox musical,” since it is based on the songs made popular by the group. The musical follows the format of a documentary, dramatizing the way in which the group formed, its success, and its final break-up.

The show is structured in four acts, or “seasons,” and each member of the group is featured in one of the segments, giving his remembrance of the events and songs of the time.

Older audience members will recognize the numbers; probably the most famous is “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night).” Others that will have playgoers singing along are “Rag Doll,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Sherry,” and “Big Girls Don't Cry.” The show ran for 12 years on Broadway, from 2005 until 2017, and has toured North America twice since then. It's also toured the U.K., and has been produced around the world in Dubai, Japan, Singapore, and China, among others. It won four Tony Awards in 2006, including Best Musical.

Jersey Boys is set for 7.30 pm on October 25 at State Farm Center in Champaign. Poster printing is often used when events like this are scheduled.