"What seems out of place are the pop-art cartoon panels that drop in to comment on the action. They're much too smug and ironic for a show with this much sincerity. "

Those panels seem to draw strong pros and cons. I personally love them. They malfunctioned in the OC and the show became dark and flat, I thought, and felt "smaller." The fun-ness of the show was diminished.

Thanks for posting the link.
The touring cast sure has changed alot over the past year. I think only half of the original memeber are still there.

Little pic of the new group here!

http://www.houstonpress.com/photoGallery/index.php?id=702197&p=1

The theatre is beautiful. Only a few years old. Make sure you look up at the ceiling and the twinkle of the lights. I won't be there until the 30th. The stage door is close to the parking garage in the back. A few souls were there on Sun but I had been to the meet and greet on the stage and dh was pestering me to go. Enjoy!

After reading all of your reviews...now I really...really...can't wait to see the Houston cast perform this week!

I have tickets for Wednesday 23 January & Thursday 24 January evening performances at Sarofim Hall at Hobby Center. I'll definitely try to take some photos to share & hopefully not get asked to leave. If I get "in trouble" I know that I can count on everyone to call "GYP"!!

Are any other JB Fans going to be there? If yes, hopefully we can really get the Houston crowd out of their seats!! NJL

That was a fantastic review, TexasGal! I have chills. My sister and her family live in Houston and I'm trying to convince them to see the show. They want me to come out and see it with them, but I don't think that'll happen. But your review makes me want to try harder to see the show in Tampa. Thanks for sharing, and we look forward to your continued coverage ;)

TexasGal...also being a huge fan of the OBC, I am excited by your review, as I will be seeing this cast twice here in Tampa very, very soon! I am really looking forward to seeing them now!

Here's the non-blog review from the Chronicle, but I can't tell if it's that different:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/5470981.html

Also, there are apparently new production photos, but I guess we'll have to wait for a newspaper to use them, since they're not available to non-accredited press:
http://www.tbpac.com/pr/photos.cfm

Great recap, TexasGal. Thanks for sharing the excitement with all of us and for sharing the show with your friends in Texas.

I am very low tech and hit send twice. Ouy.

Yes, just put on the reading glasses. Joseph is set to be Frankie on Jan 24, matinee and Tues and Sun eves until Jan 27th.

Thanks!

It'd make sense for Zachary to still be in the playbill, but is there an insert for Joseph Leo Bwarie?

TexasGal, What a great review!! Reading your review, I was just as excited as you were :-) Thank you, Jody

Hello Fantastic JB Fans- It is 6pm and I just returned from seeing JB in Houston. All the way home in the car, I said to my hubbie, I do not want to sound disloyal to my dearest OBC and my fav JLY. The show was amazing. We moved up to the 3rd row in the orchestra. The orchestra seats were bought out by Hadassah and some of the orthodox audience members were offended by the language and use of certain words. The lady in front of us made a scene before she left saying she could not tolerate the cursing. Larry and I moved up and I sat next to an elderly woman who thought I was nuts and I may have blown out her hearing aids with my shouting and clapping.

The show had a different feel to it compared to the OBC. I flew to NYC 5 times and saw the show for full boat ticket prices! Andrew as Gaudio was fresh and energetic. He had great facial expressions and has the sweetest baby face. Erik Bates was perfect Tommy with his angry edge and tough guy exterior. He was the best in the beginning setting the stage for the story. Steve Gouvia shined on his explosion around Tommy's poor personal hygiene. When he put his head down on the table there was a big thump, like he hit the microphone, hard.

Chris Jones was amazing. His voice is much different then John's. Higher pitch, but strong and smooth. Sitting up close I could see his face and posture change as he aged both physically and emotionally. CTMOOY brought the house down. Applause, whistles, shouts and he acknowledged the entire theatre. Very gracious. I had tears and chills.

The finale rocked the house. The whole theatre was standing, dancing and clapping. The older lady next to me even jumped up with me. So cute.

After the show the cast came onto the stage to meet and greet the Hadassah crowd and do a q and a for 20 minutes. I was in the front, jumped up and hugged Chris, introduced myself. The cast answered lots of questions about being an actor in the show, touring, behind-the-scenes tidbits. Several questions about Frankie Valli, how old is he, is he making money from this, does he still tour, etc. Dishing with Hadassah. After the q and a I went up to Chris and took some pics, which my dh will post. Told him I was posting the review on the blog tonite. Offered to show him around on his days off (he does 6 shows). I noticed in the Playbill that Zachary Prince is appearing as Frankie on certain days during this run.

My dh loved the show and finally has come to understand and appreciate my total connection to this show and the casts. Several friends were there and also said they are so grateful that I told them of the show and wanted to see it again during this run. Sometimes I feel arrogant as someone born and raised in Chicago and exposed to theatre and culture all of my life. Texas is a bit slower on this front, but this show crosses all of those boundaries and resonates for everyone in different ways.

Chron review:
http://blogs.chron.com/aboutlastnight/2008/01/jersey_boys_brings_four_season_1.html

I heard that Wed show was awesome. It was very cold and rainy today.I couldn't even make it to the airport to get my sis. 40s and sleet predicted tonite. The streets are quiet, but I am sure that the Hobby Center is hot hot hot.

They'll be AWESOME! I heard from one of the cast members that the set barely made it there in time to be set up for Wednesday's preview opening, but all's well that ends well, so if you're going tonight, you're sure to see a rockin' show! Give them a Texas-style welcome.

tonight is official opening for texas... weather forecast says it's looking gloomy. hope they do well.

I don't usually post, just like to read. But I was there last night (opening night), and I thought the show was fantastic. It was packed, and from what I could overhear people loved it. They got a standing ovation. I have seen the show 3 times in NYC, so I don't know that much about this cast, but they did an awesome job. Chris Jones rocked it, he was great. According to the Playbill, Erik Bates is Tommy and the understudies for Tommy are Matt Bailey and Nathan Scherich.
I also went to the Galleria today, they held a "Meet and Greet". The four leads were there, they were really sweet and autographed stuff for everyone. They had free drinks and appetizers. It was nice.
I also have tickets for next Thursday's matinee performance. I'm just glad I don't have to spend half my paycheck going to NYC to get my JB fix, haha!

That would make sense as to why a new male swing has joined Sherry company if Erik Bates has moved up to do the role of Tommy full time now vs u/s the role. hmmm I agree with Deven being an AWESOME Tommy! His facial expressions every show was worth every penny I spent seeing the show 10x in Costa Mesa. Every show it seemed that Deven kicked it up a notch from the previous show. Simply AMAZING and am hoping to be able to catch in something else in the future!
I guess Deven decided that it was time to get off this merry go round. Good luck Deven!

Thanks, Erich and Deven, for the memories. "Everybody leaves. Why does everybody leave?"

Made a mistake this am. Will post the review in the paper later.

So Deven May has officially left the tour and I'm guessing Erik Bates is now playing Tommy Devito. I kind of expected it because the new swing Nathan Scherich looks like he covers the same tracks Erik covered.

Amazing show, the crowd was into it. Chris Jones was awesome. Wish Devan May was still there, Eric bates did a great job but I still think devan was an awesome tommy. Overall a hugely successful opening here in Houston,looking forward to seeing it a few more times before they leave.

TexasGal...full review please! I will be seeing them here in Tampa on Feb. 16...am counting the days!

It has finally happened, Jersey Boys is opening tonight in Houston Texas. It was on the local news, mom called to tell me. Press parties at the Galleria tomorrow. I am set to see it on Sunday. The local Hadassah bought out the theatre. I will give a full report and wrote Chris about my report and will send all of your greetings at the stage door on Sunday. It is cold and rainy today, not sunny and mild as predicted. LOL