August 6, 2006

Another Critic Raves About Jersey Boys!

August 6th, 2006

Somehow, I missed this Jersey Boys’ review when it came out in November, but I thought it was worth sharing! Cabaretscenes.com critic Elizabeth Ahlfors’ review written shortly after opening night is amazing! Here’s a bit of what she said about Jersey Boys:

How many times recently have you seen three songs stop a Broadway show? It happens with Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Walk Like a Man in Jersey Boys at the August Wilson Theatre. Who would have thought that Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons would sail where John Lennon and the Beach Boys sunk?

Jersey Boys tells the story of four guys and how they evolved from singing doo-wop in an empty church to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, via a few Mob connections. With on-target performances, and Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s absorbing book, director Des McAnuff, neatly builds the tale with tension that detonates with one golden oldie after another.

Playing Frankie Valli, John Lloyd Young is heartfelt perfection in his Broadway debut, inhabiting the character with nonstop energy, emotion, and coming pretty damn close to that unique falsetto that gave the Four Seasons’ flawless harmony their special seasoning. Tommy DeVito is a street punk, the manipulating powerhouse of the group; he is played by Christian Hoff with a certain throwaway charm. Reticent Nick Massi (J. Robert Spencer), frequently threatens to start his own group, commenting, “Everybody wants to be up front, but if there’s four guys and you’re Ringo…” It’s the last member, songwriter Bob Gaudio, (Daniel Reichard), who provides the Seasons with their hit tunes, and there are plenty of them. The fact that Bob Crewe, the group’s producer, was the lyricist, however, is unfortunately, not evident in the show. Each group member shines with distinct personality, “submarine watchers” with blue-collar Italian backgrounds, showing the strengths, weaknesses, and talents that tie them together. Each character reveals enough to make the audience care about him, even the squirrelly little hanger-on named Joe Pesci. Yes, that Joe Pesci.

Their stories are human with laughs and tears and a lot of struggle, but the multitude of songs coming fast and furiously keeps the mood buoyant. Sergio Trujillo choreographed their group moves, and an onstage band led by Ron Melrose sizzles with the sounds of the era. When Valli delivers his big solo, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, a brass band parades across the catwalk, providing another audience grabber.

2 Comments »

  1. This article is from November 2005.Jersey Boys is still going strong,8-06-2006. All the critics gave it thumbs up from the start.The “Jukebox” musical brought home 4 Tonys,that says it all.

    Comment by THEA — August 6, 2006 @ 12:06 pm

  2. Yes, Jersey Boys is bringing lots of joy to its lucky patrons. Back at the end of last year our entourage laughed and cried through it all, once Tommy DeVito confirmed, “… it all started in Belleville, New Jersey.” Hearing our blue-collar hometown mentioned orchestrated a kaleidescope of memories across our minds, and the Jersey Boys had us in the palm of their hands from that point on. Congrats to all members of the team! Best wishes for continued success, Joe Cervasio

    Comment by joe cervasio — August 7, 2006 @ 4:00 pm

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