Jersey Boys in Cleveland–Truly Amazing!
July 1st, 2008The latest critical acclaim for Jersey Boys in Cleveland:
Christine Howey of CleveScene.com: If you’re still mourning the loss of Paulie Walnuts, the Bada Bing, and acid-tongued Adriana, you can get a bit of that feeling back — along with a hell of a lot of great music — in Jersey Boys at Playhouse Square Center. This touring production is as tight as Frankie Valli’s falsetto-stretched vocal cords, and the visceral reaction it provokes in an audience is truly amazing…What sets this production apart from other yawn-inducing musical biographies is the syncopated staging and the crooning talent of the key band members. Familiar tunes such as “Sherry” and “Walk Like a Man” are intercut with snippets of dialogue that advance the story while never losing the driving momentum of the music.
Even the Tech Half’s Mom is hearing all about JB in her suburban Cleveland neighborhood paper! She saved us a copy of The Times! Here’s what Bob Adelman had to say: Within the first five minutes, Jersey Boys knocks your socks off. The rest of the show is even better. So effective is the illusion of a live performance by the actual Hall-of-Fame icons that a bizarre thing happened during last Friday night’s performance: Each musical number was met by two separate waves of applause. The first was the polite, appreciative applause given to any good theatrical performance. Just as the ovation was tapering, a second wave ascended–a louder, longer and more raucous aftershock–as if the audience was paying homage to members of the Four Seasons themselves.
I’m guessing Cleveland can’t get enough of JB the way they’re nicely publicizing it. That’s excellent.
Comment by Beth L. — July 1, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
I saw the matinee today in Cleveland. I was lucky enough to see the original cast in NYC as well. Its a very, very nice touring production. I was shocked as the standing ovation lasted well over five minutes (to about a 90-95% full house, for a Saturday matinee).
Comment by Roger — July 5, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
JB in Cleveland has been stupendous. I went the first Tuesday and we gave several standing ovations. People were dancing in the aiels during thwe last 2 numbers.
I have since3 listewned to the original 4 seasons and much prefer the JB. Joseph Leo Bwarie and Andrew Rannells gave wonderfully warm , enthusiatic performances. I went with friends as a season ticket holder. Then bewcame a friend of Playhouse square so I could get 2 more tickets and took my Mom. The musical appeals to a wide range of age groups. My young neighbors went also at my urging and were singing the tunes next day. I had forgotten how much of the 4 seasons influenced my music preferences during those days. I must point out that Andrew Rannells gives the best performance. It is fresh, poignant, looks real and present every time. I am a frequent theater attendee and I believe this guy is going places great! Teriffic voice and song ability as well.
Kriss Ann from Cleveland
Comment by Kriss — July 5, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
I saw Jersey Boys in Cleveland and it was absolutely amazing! I love going to the theater and can honestly say this was one of the best shows I have ever seen. The whole cast was excellent, but I particularly liked Joseph Leo Bwarie as Franki Valli. He gave a great performance and really captured the sound of Frankie when he sang. The only bad part about it that I don’t think I’ll be able to go again before the show leaves Cleveland. I loved this show and would highly recommend it to anyone.
Comment by Les — July 7, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
I loved the show. THis had to be the best show I ever saw at the Playhouse. I though Joseph Leo Bwarie and Andrew Rannells were fabulous. The only thing I did not care for was how much profanity there was with young kids in the audience. I grew up in the 60s and do not remember all that kind of talk back then. The New York version did not have as much profanity.
Comment by Carie — July 10, 2008 @ 7:38 am
“The New York version did not have as much profanity. ”
Ah, yes it did. And does.
There are warnings EVERYWHERE.
Comment by Leanna — July 10, 2008 @ 10:05 pm