Critic Adores Jersey Boys at The Palazzo!
March 7th, 2009
Robert Machray of Blogcritics.com states that he has seen four incarnations of JERSEY BOYS and, for him, the Las Vegas company is the best all around. This comes partly from its having its own special theater, and partly from its absolutely incredible cast.
The show is also a success story in that it traces the history of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons from their simple beginnings in New Jersey, to becoming one of the top pop groups of the 1960’s, to their inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This joyous musical celebrates their lives and music. Machray calls it the “Rocky†of Broadway musicals. As an audience member, he says that you get caught up in the music and the stories, and by the end of the evening the show has claimed you and branded you as a fan. Both the music and the show are infectious, thanks to the terrific work of Des McAnuff, the director, and the wonderful book by writers Rick Elice and Marshal Brickman.
Machray had seen two members of the first-rate Las Vegas cast before. Deven May is pitch-perfect as the bad boy of the group. He is easy, dangerous, and lovable. Erich Bergen is so convincing you almost think he is Bob Gaudio, the composer of most of the group’s hits. Jeff Leibow is Nick Massi; though he’s the “Ringo†of the group, when he has his moments he really plays them fully. Travis Cloer, who had played “Joey†in New York, here finally gets to try his hand as Frankie, and makes the character his own. Machray adds that Travis’s performance is a total success. He loved his acting and his beautiful falsetto.
*swoon* You gotta love Deven and Erich…(:
Comment by Red Hyena — March 7, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
Yes; I agree whole heartedly.
I heart Deven and Erich….!
Comment by Melissa — March 7, 2009 @ 11:39 pm