Reviewer Finds Jersey Boys Exhilarating!
January 23rd, 2006Dottie Ashley from the Post and Courier goes into detail as to why Jersey Boys is such a major hit with audiences.
Aslhey states that Jersey Boys is take-no-prisoners stuff, reflecting the zeal and passion of youth and the ambitions of musicians desperate for a better life. She describes the book, co-written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, that layers the exposition over the songs, resulting in a theater piece that is much more involving than a mere evening’s concert. Unlike many biographical musicals, Jersey Boys has underlying conflict, tension, romance and betrayal.
Ashley is also most impressed by the cast. She notes that John Lloyd Young, in his Broadway debut as Frankie Valli, is not only a charismatic singer, but also a remarkable actor. As Tommy DeVito, Ashley admires Christian Hoff’s portrayal of DeVito’s drive and wisdom for getting Valli into the group, but also pities him as he learns the cost of gambling the hard way.
In closing, Ashley says that the show is a grinding, smashing tribute to the American dream and to the dreamers who make it happen.