July 25, 2010

Jersey Boys and the Legacy of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

July 25th, 2010

The Oregonian’s Steve Duin took in JERSEY BOYS at the August Wilson Theatre last week and was surprised as to how much he had forgotten about the legacy of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the band at the heart of the Tony Award-winning musical.

After hearing “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” “My Eyes Adored You,” and “Dawn (Go Away)” in the boisterous run-up to intermission, I was struggling to name the Top 40 hits that would carry the second act.

Try “Big Man in Town,” “Stay,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Bye-Bye Baby,” C’mon Marianne,” “Can’t Take My Eyes off You,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Rag Doll,” and “Who Loves You.”

The hits just kept on comin’.

After five years on Broadway, “Jersey Boys” is still a blast. The back story on this ’60s (and ’70s) band is framed by a minimalist chain-link set and a memorable soundtrack. The former provides for an electric moment when the audience suddenly finds itself backstage as the Four Seasons face the spotlights and their adoring crowd.

Read the full review on OregonianLive.com.

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