Fourth of July Jersey Boys Vegas Explodes With Star Performances!
July 9th, 2010There was no need this year to go out in that 100-degree weather to catch the fireworks on Independence Day evening in Vegas! Instead, we celebrated our Nation’s birthday with exploding talents–indoors with JERSEY BOYS at The Palazzo!
So many high points on that stage during that holiday evening–including Kristofer McNeeley playing Tommy DeVito–who was the man in charge from the minute he told the audience, “The whole thing started with me…” Kristofer had Tommy’s charisma and cockiness, along with perfect comedic timing and some of the evening’s biggest laughs, including a fantastic falsetto during the jail scene, when he sang, “Oh me oh me oh my-o, did some time in old Ohio.”
Dominic Scaglione, Jr. continued to shine in his portrayal of Frankie Valli from a young teen trying to make it in the music business to the successful, but weary entertainer, who continues to chase the music. Along with his incredibly powerful vocals, Dominic showed an amazing range of emotions, from some of the highest highs during the Big 3 to some of the most dramatic lows as he faces some of life’s biggest heartbreaks. Show-stopping moments included “Sherry” and “Walk Like A Man”–and without a doubt–when Frankie got his horns! I’m pretty sure the guests next door at the Venetian could have heard the applause and cheers as “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” came to a close. Then, Dominic literally had to stop his lines following his incredible rendition of “Working My Way Back To You”–due to the extended applause!
John Salvatore brought the house down as the one and only Bob Crewe! The audience was in hysterics every time Crewe opened his mouth, and he literally stopped the show with laughter and applause. The flirtatious look he gave Bob Gaudio on their first meeting; telling Tommy, “Look Miss Congeniality, it’s a METAPHOR” in the Walk Like A Man scene; and jumping up and down as he exclaimed, “Play the F**CKING song already!‖were absolutely hilarious!
Jason Martinez was absolutely solid as Waxman–Norman Waxman! He was especially strong and convincing during the sit-down scene when he frankly told Gyp, “We like their songs. Anybody else, he’d already be in the hospital.” Jason was also spot-on as Nick DeVito at the show’s beginning and later as Charlie Calello. And, next time you’re in Vegas–be sure to check out the scenes when Jason is rockin’ on stage playing the drums!
Another thing about Sunday night’s audience: Were many of them from Jersey? After Tommy stated, “…where you have to drive to a landfill next to a dump next to a turnpike to cheer for a team that’s from New York”–the crowd howled! Then, when Frankie said, “You want a contract? Here–a Jersey contract” and he and Bob shook hands, a guy in the audience yelled, “HELL, YEAH!” That was priceless!
Lucky, Lucky Vegas! What a great picture of Dominic!
I hope to be able to see his Frankie again some day.
Comment by gladys — July 10, 2010 @ 5:19 am