Jersey Boys

Oh what a night! The Jersey Boys opens with a splash travelling back to the 1950s for the astonishing story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. 

Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, and Tommy DeVito are small town musicians, whose rise to fame is altered greatly by good intensions but poor judgment, and an innate sense of allegiance.
This show has flow. This brilliantly directed story, told through the four voices of the lead characters, weaves narration through the familiar hit songs, into musical lattices working their way back to you with a message of devotion as meaningful now as it was then. It is an unbelievable tale of loyalty, adversity, and perseverance that pulls at the heart through the four seasons of life and leaves you with the belief that anything is possible with the right resolve.
It is no small feat tackling such epic characters with huge personalities. Jonny Wexler (Frankie Valli) and Corey Greenan (Tommy DeVito) set the bar high. Wexler dances, sings (even those impossible high notes), and nails the dialogue while Greenan encapsulates his character so completely you lose track of the scope of his performance. Chris Stevens (Nick Massi) may be a little ridged with the choreography but flavours his character with an eccentricity that is immensely adorable. Tommaso Antico is charismatic as levelheaded musical protégé Bob Gaudio, however, this night his mic appears lower than those of the other performers, which lowers the energy and alters the tone of some of the scenes.
There is a brilliant mergence of choreography and set design. The set design appears minimal but is in fact intricate in its execution. The fluid transitions, which often intermingle with the physical choreography of the actors, add a rhythm to the orchestration of the show that is highly effective in pushing the narrative forward.
The projection design works wonderfully in conjunction with the set design and sets up a highly effective and seamless splicing of actual footage from the musical era into the performances on stage.
“My Eyes Adored You” offers the most poignant point in the evening as Valli’s home life begins to fall apart, but when Wexler starts into “Can’t Take My Eyes of You” he is met with applause then rhythmic clapping. Wexler takes a short bow at the end.
The story is wrapped up nicely with a humorous and well-written account of each band member’s journey and there is no surprise when the audience rises to their feet during the final song.
Jersey Boys starts off on a high note, and leaves on the same. It is a journey well laid out and well performed. A must see for all. An essential see for those from that musical era.
Click HERE for a link to tickets.