Mark Ballas' Dancing with the Stars absence has finally been explained.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ballas, a longtime pro partner on Dancing with the Stars, will not be participating in Season 23 because he'll be making his Broadway debut this October.
Ballas, 30, will be the final actor to play Frankie Valli in the current Broadway run of Jersey Boys, which is coming to a close in January 2017 after a historic 11-year run.
"THRILLED to announce I'll be playing the final 'Frankie Valli' in @jerseyboysbroadway FINAL CAST on Broadway. Oct 18th-Jan 15th.... SEE YOU THERE. Get tickets on Jerseyboysinfo.com #JerseyBoys #FrankieValli #Broadway," Ballas captioned an Instagram video of himself on Tuesday.
The current cast of Jersey Boys, the behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, features Dominic Scaglione Jr. in the role Ballas will take over next month.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jersey Boys opened on Broadway in November 2005 at the August Wilson Theatre. It is now the twelfth longest-running show in Broadway history and has been seen by over 24 million people.
Ballas teased the reason behind his Dancing with the Stars absence last week through a lengthy handwritten letter posted via photo on Instagram.
"I know many of you are concerned and curious. I want to wish my DWTS comrades luck this season. I'll miss competing and creating outside the box," Ballas wrote.
"However, I am looking forward to this new chapter and venture that is beginning shortly. I will soon have news for you all where to find me. I hope to see many of you there."
Ballas, who also performs in the duo Alexander Jean with his fiancee BC Jean, joined Dancing with the Stars for Season 5 back in 2007 and has competed on every single season since.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ballas has earned two mirrorball trophies, three runner-up finishes and three 3rd-place finishes in his Dancing with the Stars career. He's made a name for himself on the show by creating some of the most wild and imaginative dance routines for his celebrity partners.
Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars premieres September 12 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC. While fans will certainly miss Ballas, Jersey Boy's closing schedule appears to permit a Spring 2017 return!
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski