Even though we left the convention center at 1:30PM, the fun does not stop there. On Friday, we secured front row tickets to Jersey Boys, a musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The story can best be summed up in Tommy's (Dominic Nolfi) opening monologue, "You ask four different guys, you get four different stories." The story was told from different view points from the band members set to music by the Four Seasons and other groups who were popular at the time. It's like Mamma Mia! with less cheese, less Pierce Brosnan, and more guns.

This is Jared's second time seeing the show and my seventh time. The show always had special meaning to me because it was my studying music during my last year of undergraduate study and more importantly, the one positive thing to happen to me during August when I first saw the national tour in San Francisco.

Without giving much away, if you ever have the chance, I highly reccomend Jersey Boys. Having seen the Vegas, national tour, Chicago, and Broadway productions, either way, you will get an phenomenal cast. Speaking of the cast, several cast members have their connections to anime and otaku fandom. In the national tour, Andrew Rannells has voiced Len Tao in Shaman King and played James in Pokemon Live.

Typically, I usually visit the stage door after the show to chit chat and take pictures with the actors. First, we met Miles Aubrey who played a minor character in the show, Norm Waxman.

Then, we met the guy who played Frankie Valli for the evening, Taylor Sternberg. Because of his happy-go-lucky nature, I thought for a second he played Little Joey Fishes. I had to ask, "Who did you play in the show?" He answered, "I was Frankie!" A huge laugh came from the crowd and I had my imaginary anime sweat drop. In addition, Taylor asked me if I was wearing Gothic Lolita and he mentioned how much he loves Japan and would like to visit some day. Hey Taylor, if you're ever back in your native Los Angeles, I owe you a drink for mistaking you as Joey.

We also met the actor for Nick Massi, Matt Bogart. Jared loved his dead pan portrayal.

We met the stand by for Bob Gaudio, Jake Speck. Sebastian Arcelus, who normally plays Bob Gaudio, has done tons of voice over work for 4 Kids Entertainment and other anime: Hotaru in Samurai Deeper Kyo, Yoh in Shaman King, Rafe in Pokemon: Destiny Deoyxs, and more.

Finally, we met the actor for Tommy DeVito, Dominic Nolfi. For a while, I could not believe that Ash from Pokemon Live played the not-so-innocent, manipulative, snarky, bad boy of the Four Seasons. He was great at what he did and certainly has come a long way from capturing and training pokemon. Now he pisses in the sink. Two Ash Ketchums in one weekend - Veronica and Dominic.

Jared had to poke fun at Jarrod Spector. When I first met Jared back in 2008, I just came back from Chicago. I was slightly out of it and I mistook him for Michael Ingersoll. "No, my name is Jared," he said. He had some fun posing with Jarrod Spector's photo in front of the August Wilson theater. "Hey look! I'm picking Jarrod Spector's nose!" I suppose it was a good thing that Jarrod Spector was not in the lead on Sunday. Jared and Jarrod would have the endless debate on who spells their name accurately. Thus, this created the inside joke of Jared's nickname being "Not Spector."

Of course, I love the boys! A+ would buy again and again!

For dinner, we went to Ellen's Stardust Dinner. It is a different kind of restaurant. The waiters and waitresses actually sing to you while you eat. Many of the waiters have moved forward by being in Broadway plays and national touring companies. For a very unique dinning experience, check out Ellen's Stardust Dinner. It's next door to Mamma Mia!

After dinner, we tried to hit the Rainbow Room, but it was closed on Sundays. Funny, becuase last time I went, Angela and I went on a Sunday. No drinks for us. Instead, we just did some last minute shopping around Times Square. Jared found gifts for his family. I was rather tempted to be mean and get Stan some Rock of Ages material.

We went to one of my favorite spots in Manhattan, Schubert Alley. Adjacent to the rows of Broadway posters and shops was the Booth Theater where Next to Normal was playing. I explained the plot to Jared how the main character parallels his mother. The mother is portrayed by one of my favorite actresses, Alice Ripley (Sideshow, Les Miserables). The father is portrayed by a Jersey Boys alumni, J. Robert Spencer.

Low and behold, we ran into Alice Ripley as she was getting out of Next to Normal. We were lucky to have run into her. Alice Ripley is the sweetest person ever. Do not listen to the Broadway memes (yes, Broadway memes do exist). She is a wonderful person!

While we were in Schubert Alley, Jared talked about other anime influences in what's currently playing on Broadway.

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