I know this is LONG overdue, but I thought I would write a little review on JB Toronto :) [Sorry for taking so long, Charly :D] I've seen the show with the JB Canadian cast in Toronto over 10 times, but I'll only write general stuff regarding the show in this review! :)
This is a brilliantly almost fully Canadian comprised JB cast! The only American in this cast is Quinn VanAntwerp (who plays Bob Gaudio) ;)
Jeff Madden plays a phenomenal Frankie Valli! His acting as Frankie is one of the best that I've seen in any JB company (I've seen 5 JB companies). His voice is incredible as well! He goes from his normal singing voice into his falsetto effortlessly. I would say his acting is the most intense during the sit-down scene and the "Fallen Angel" scene. Jeff's chemistry with Jeremy Kushnier (who plays Tommy DeVito) is fantastic, especially during the end of "My Mother's Eyes".
Jeremy Kushnier, who plays Tommy DeVito in the Canadian JB company (and he was also part of the touring company for a while when they were here in Toronto) is always consistent and FANTASTIC! The way in which Jeremy plays Tommy, you can never hate him, even though he screwed up the group badly, you can never really hate him; he's the 'bad guy' that you'd hate to love! ;)
Quinn VanAntwerp plays Bob Gaudio in the Canadian JB company (although he's not Canadian, but that's perfectly okay!) He took over the role of Bob Gaudio after Derek Krantz. I would say that Quinn's performance as Bob reminds me a lot like a hybrid between Andrew Rannells' Bob + Daniel Reichard's Bob! :D... but of course, Quinn brings something special to the table as well! His "Cry For Me" and "Oh! What a Night!" are spot on! His onstage chemistry with Jeff and Jeremy are just so amazing to watch.
Michael Lomenda plays an awesome Nick Massi. His facial expressions are purely priceless, especially right after he says the phrase: "When there's four guys, and YOU'RE Ringo!"; he ALWAYS incites a huge laughter from the audience with his facial expression. Michael's towel monologue is EXCELLENT! His bass voice is also very good! :)
Shawn Wright plays a fabulous Bob Crewe! His "all my body parts are outstanding young man... young, young, YOUNG, YOUNG MAN!" doesn't incite as much laughter from the audience as when Jonathan Hadley from the touring cast does it, but Shawn's emphasis of "the stars are in alignment", "when Mercury's in Taurus" and "I did Frankie's chart: his moon is in Taurus" produces the biggest laughter.
Adrian Marchuk plays the alternate Frankie Valli (on Wednesday and Saturday matinee shows). He is a purely amazing Frankie Valli. He is just as great as Jeff Madden. Adrian's voice and falsetto are both very beautiful!
The Canadian cast of Jersey Boys is top notch and equals any and every company of Jersey Boys there is out there! :) All the actors are OUTSTANDING!! Here are the list of actors in JB T.O (aside from the Four Seasons and Bob Crewe):
- Adrian Marchuk -- Alternate Frankie Valli
- Jennifer Copping -- Mary Delgado
- Bryan Hindle -- Joe Pesci
- Jade Elliott -- Norm Waxman
- Timothy Sell -- Gyp DeCarlo
- Lindsay Thomas -- Francine
- Elodie Gillett -- Lorraine
- Gabriel Antonacci -- Handsome Hank
- Joe Matheson -- Billy Dixon
- Matthew Brown -- Barry Belson
The musicians in this JB company are just AMAZING!! Special props goes out to Stephen Broadhurst who plays the drums! ;) The sound encompasses the theatre really well, and the talent in this JB Canadian company is truly PHENOMENAL and EXCELLENT!!!
If you get a chance to see this amazing JB Canadian cast, please do! It is something you should definitely NOT miss!! The Canadian cast does not disappoint!
I hope all of you enjoyed by JB Canadian cast review! Sorry for making it so long! :D