Jersey Boys Is Irresistible in Charlotte!
April 3rd, 2010Theater critic Lawrence Toppman raves about JERSEY BOYS in Charlotte! Here’s a preview:
Yet strange to say, the best thing about this show is not the music. It’s the chemistry among those four leads, whose characters could sustain harmony only under a spotlight.
You can tell what kinds of people these are even when they perform in forced unison. Insecure Tommy DeVito (Matt Bailey), who sees himself as the group’s founder and boss, wears a wary, anxious look.
Presumably placid Nick Massi (Steve Gouveia) smiles noncommittally, careful not to show hurt feelings. Urbane Bob Gaudio (Ryan Jesse) enjoys the excitement without getting sucked into the drama.
And Frankie Valli carries the brunt of the pathos, whether in the keening high notes of the songs or his innocent face. I can’t imagine Joseph Leo Bwarie will ever get another role that suits him so exactly: He’s short and unconventionally handsome in Valli’s way, and he can soar through the songs yet show a quiet gentleness in Act 2, when writers Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman finally tap into deeper emotions.
Visit CharlotteObserver.com to read the full review.
Just saw Jersey Boys here in Charlotte (Sunday, April 4) – awesome show! I wasn’t planning on going but a friend had two spare tickets she gave me – it was awesome! If you haven’t seen it – GO!
Comment by Jill S. — April 4, 2010 @ 4:21 pm