About this episode

Ellis Kirk discusses his role as the alternate Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and reflects on his theatre career.

Ellis Kirk is the alternate Frankie Valli in the new UK and Ireland tour of  Jersey Boys . Featuring the music and story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons,  Jersey Boys  has a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. Directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical tells the true story of the rise of one of the biggest bands in music history and has returned for a new UK and Ireland tour to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Ellis' theatre credits include Evan in  Dear Evan Hansen  (Asia Tour), alternate Marty McFly in  Back to the Future  (Adelphi Theatre), JD in  Heathers (The Other Palace), understudy Dougal in  Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York  (Criterion Theatre), understudy Evan Hansen and Connor Murphy in  Dear Evan Hansen  (Noël Coward Theatre) and Dirk Lloyd in  The Dark Lord  ( MTFest , The Other Palace). His television credits include  Emmerdale ,  Jericho ,  Billionaire Boy  and  Hank Zipzer . In this episode, Ellis takes a deep dive into what it's like to be…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew Tomlins

Guest: Ellis Kirk

Topics covered

• musical theatre
• Jersey Boys
• Frankie Valli
• theatre career
• understudy experiences

Keywords

• Ellis Kirk
• Frankie Valli
• Jersey Boys
• musical theatre
• understudy
• theatre credits
• UK tour
• interview

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, Bob Gaudio, Bob Crewe, Des McAnuff, Sergio Trujillo

Books & works: Dear Evan Hansen, Back to the Future, Heathers, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York, The Dark Lord, Emmerdale, Jericho, Billionaire Boy, Hank Zipzer

More episodes of In The Frame: Theatre Interviews from West End Frame

• S11 Ep32: Morgan Gregory, Humanity in Hot Mess · July 9, 2026 · 46 min
• S11 Ep31: Rebekah Lowings, Elphaba in Wicked · July 2, 2026 · 1h 3m
• S11 Ep30: Natey Jones, Ivan in The Harder They Come · June 25, 2026 · 36 min
• S11 Ep29: Tosh Wanogho-Maud, alternate Lola in Kinky Boots · June 18, 2026 · 48 min

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