Jersey Boys Natl Tour Is Brilliant in Baltimore!
October 1st, 2016The JERSEY BOYS national tour company is rocking Baltimore on its return! Check out excerpts from critics all over town:
MDTheatre.com:This production, as part of a national tour that has been in progress for two years, shines by every measure. It is a cornucopia of nostalgia with its hand-clapping songs that bring those of us who vividly recall that era to eye-welling moments throughout. Had the intervals between many of the numbers and the beginning of dialogue not been so short, the thunderous ovations following those that allowed for applause would have extended the show to four hours.
BroadwayWorld.com: Under the direction of Des McAnuff and choreography of Sergio Trujillo, the talented cast and crew changes characters, eras and sets without losing a beat. Musical supervisor Ron Melrose knows how to blend and harmonize it all together. This show is a good example of how a well designed production can cover a lot of ground without loosing fluidity or focus.
The book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice creates a condensed docu-drama style of story-telling. The humor remains fresh, and the elements of bad habits, broken relationships and tragic events so typical of the industry never take away from the music which soars above it all.
Baltimoresun.com: Wrking its way back to the Hippodrome Theatre for the third time in five years, the touring production of “Jersey Boys” again delivers a satisfying combination of hit parade and eventful backstory about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
It’s easy to spot cliches or awkward transitions in “Jersey Boys,” but, as this production reaffirms, it’s even easier to hang on to what it’s got — a handle on a cool, absorbing chapter of pop music history.
DCMetrotheaterarts.com: By show’s end, this production might have you thinking that the actual Four Seasons have returned for a bow. In a sense they have, and for that we say this four-star show fully deserves a fifth — five stars!
Saw this production last night, closing night. Sorry to have missed Aaron DeJesus, but Miguel Jarquin-Moreland NAILED it. He was phenomenal!!! Shut your eyes, and Frankie was there. Keith Hines as Nick presented a comical, nuanced, performance, and Matt Daily’s Tommy was devilish and playful. Cory’s musicality, wide-eyed innocence, and overall fine acting chops were a huge asset to the production. This entire cast brought it!!! They all inhabited their roles, particularly the actors playing Bob Crewe and Joey and don’t let me forget the opening rap prelude which set the tone for the evening!!! The playful interaction with audience brought us into the production Saw Jersey Boys Broadway in July, 2016 and have to say this production was a cut or more above that one. While still good it lacked the energy of this one. Watch out world, here comes Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, remember that name!! Of course, the role of Frankie will always belong to John Lloyd Young and then to Jarrod Spector but then Miquel is right up next to them. I have seen many Jersey Boy productions and admit I am a bit of a Jersey Boys cast nerd, but still think this will was an overall fantastic production with an outstanding ensemble cast in a historic Broadway romp filled with great music, comedy and drama. Thanks for a wonderful evening!!!????????????
Comment by Sharon Lechowicz — October 3, 2016 @ 5:08 am