Four Stars for Four Seasons Story in Detroit!
December 22nd, 2009For critic John Monaghan, JERSEY BOYS provided the most energized night of Detroit theater in at least a decade. Consider it one of those rare entertainment experiences that truly lives up to the hype.
Here’s a preview of Monaghan’s four-star review:
The clever script (by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice) uses the seasons to take the audience through the different phases of the quartet’s career.
In spring, we learn how musician/wiseguy Tommy DeVito (Matt Bailey) launched the group in between prison stints…Bob Gaudio (Josh Franklin), the Seasons member that wrote most of its hits, represents Summer. He talks about the salad days of the group, which scored its first big hit with “Sherry” in 1962…Bass man Nick Massi (Steve Gouveia), who describes himself as the group’s Ringo, adds a welcome note of self-deprecating humor…The show’s headliner remains front man Frankie Valli, played here by Joseph Leo Bwarie. I know it’s part of the act, but during several numbers he appeared to radiate genuine gratitude as he soaked in applause from an ecstatic Fisher Theatre crowd.
Read Monaghan’s full fantastic review on Freep.com.
