June 4, 2007

Jersey Boys Delivers in LA!

June 4th, 2007

Jay Reiner of Reuters states that the best thing about “Jersey Boys” — last year’s Tony winner for best musical — is that it’s not just about the music of ’60s icon Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. And this is saying something in a show that features 33 songs, many of them soft-pop classics, and nearly all of them guaranteed to have you dancing in your seat.

The real star of the show is Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s brilliantly entertaining book. These two wizards obviously weren’t content to turn the story they had in mind into another jukebox musical. Instead, they’ve done their homework and created a first-rate piece of Americana as well as a backstage musical that shines with intelligence and wit. When the evening draws to a close, the audience is being carried along on a wave of musical and dramatic energy that, if it had its way, would probably go on indefinitely.

Read the entire amazing review on Reuters.com.

1 Comment »

  1. Excellent review! I’ve never watched the LaJolla cast, well only Daniel Norona, but from their beginnings there, Des McAnuff, Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli, the LaJolla/Broadway cast (incl. Steve Gouveia) contributed to what is now a true stage success story all over the US!

    It does not matter which cast is being reviewed, all of them work off the same script, perform the same musical and dance numbers and deserve all of the standing ovations and extended applause that we give them. From watching all of the production and performing cast interviews on TV, they all have the same thing to say….. It’s not a “jukebox” musical just based upon the songs, but a totally truthful story of “rags to riches”, with a few speed bumps along the way.

    I’ve noticed the August Wilson and Curran Theatre crowds always fidgeting in their seats, waiting for “Who Loves You” to end and anticipating the standing ovation/audience dancealong….. Lots of fun, and it does not matter if it’s an evening sell out or matinee….. Everyone is caught up by the entire dramatic experience during the play and the musical buildup from Ces Soiree La to the “December, 1963″ ending.

    Since I’ve watched that SF/LA cast the most, I’d have to say that there is no comparison and all actors/actresses and ensemble members of the “Jersey Boys Family” are true professionals and LA is truly lucky to have them perform there. I hope more and more people have a chance to watch the show when they start covering the rest of the US.

    Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — June 6, 2007 @ 2:27 pm

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