Frankie Valli Wows Lincoln Center Crowd!
November 27th, 2006Reuters.com’s Frank Scheck noted that if the audience could have moved fast enough, they would have experienced a bizarre show business form of double vision Wednesday night in New York. That’s because Jersey Boys, the hit musical depicting the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, was playing on Broadway, while the real thing was singing fewer than 10 blocks away at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall.
Although the original Four Seasons are long gone, Scheck states that the group’s lead singer is still going strong, accompanied by a current edition of the Seasons and finding his career newly revitalized by the stage show’s smash success. Valli currently is recording a new album scheduled for release next year by Universal.
Kicking off with his very last No. 1 single, the title song from the film “Grease,” the still youthful-looking Valli delivered a 90-minute show that featured one chart-topping hit after another. The sheer volume of perfectly crafted singles was staggering: “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Dawn,” “Save It for Me,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “My Eyes Adored You,” “Swearin’ to God” and “Our Day Will Come” are but a sampling of the group or solo hits performed.
While Valli clearly has a lot of vocal help from his backup group, his distinctive high-pitched voice (which got stronger as the evening went on) remains a powerful instrument, and his unleashing of his signature falsetto on “Stay” garnered huge cheers from the crowd.
My wife and I were at Frankie’s show last night and I would agree completely with Mr. Scheck’s review of the show for Reuters. Frankie was excellent. It was clearly evident that Frankie was “home” last night. He was in a great mood and enjoyed the audience as much as they enjoyed him. He surprisingly came out while his opening act, comedian and friend, Stewie Stone, was performing, walked up to him, didn’t say a word and just looked at his watch. The crowd loved it and Stone finished his act in less than 5 minutes. Mr. Stone is a very “funny guy” (no Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito from “Goodfellas” routines please), but clearly the crowd was there to see Frankie. During Frankie’s performance his long time musical director and friend, Robby Robinson, said to Frankie that they had to end the show because Stewie Stone was on so long. It was all an act as Frankie then said to the audience “Do you want us to go, or to STAY.” The crowd said “stay” of course and Frankie got into “STAY” and let his falsetto all hang out. The musical arrangement(s) are different but for a few minutes it was reminiscent of how he used to do it 40 years ago. Mr. Scheck described the audience’s reaction to Frankie’s performance of “STAY” perfectly. Frankie peformed for another 30-40 minutes after “STAY.” Frankie later in the show introduced Daniel Reichard, Michael Longoria, Matthew Scott, and Donnie Kerr, who were in the audience, and called them on stage to all sing Frankie’s closing number “Let’s Hang On!” with him. The audience loved the show. Many standing ovations. It was just a very enjoyable evening.
Comment by David Cace — November 27, 2006 @ 8:23 am
David, Wow! It sounds like you & your wife had an amazing time! Thanks so much for sharing your review!
Comment by Administrator — November 27, 2006 @ 12:03 pm
I was at last nights show too…It was quite a memorable experience, and yes, Frankie was in top form…..I even enjoyed his rendition of “Native New Yorker” but I was wondering why he didn’t introduce Bob Gaudio who was sitting in the front row of the theater. The clips before the show added to the suspense and thrill of the evening. A personal comment, the guitar player on the right was quite talented but was distracting and trying too hard to get attention. He should have toned down his performance and let Frankie shine in the spotlight.
Comment by Michael Murphy — November 27, 2006 @ 4:22 pm
Bob Gaudio (the real one ) was NOT at any of the Frankie Valli shows in NYC Thanksgiving week. A friend in the cast of the San Francisco production told me, Bob Gaudio has been working with the new actors playing the roles of frankie, Bob, tommy and Nick. The actor who plays Bob Gaudio (Daniel Reichard)was in the Rose theater last night and later was brought up on stage (with a couple of other Broadway JB cast members) to sing “Let’s Hang On” with Frankie and his band memebrs.
Comment by Karl — November 27, 2006 @ 5:53 pm
I was also lucky enough to see Frankie Valli and Stewie Stone at the Rose Theater. The pulse in the room was incredible and the excitement was palpable. Frankie was in great form, and Stewie was hysterical.If they return next year, you shouldn’t miss it!
Comment by Vanessa — March 25, 2009 @ 3:58 pm