April 12, 2014

Jersey Boys Natl Tour Is Sensational at the Straz!

April 12th, 2014

Fabulous reviews for the JERSEY BOYS national tour production in Tampa!

Jersey Boys Natl Tour Company (Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel)

Jimmy Ferraro, BroadwayWorld.com: Everyone in the production is perfectly cast. Nicholas Dromard gives an outstanding performance as the egotistical, bad boy, and founder of the band, Tommy DeVito. Mr. Dromard struts around, commanding the stage with the gusto of a sideshow barker. He brings a challenging sincerity to the role, that clearly defines his riveting performance.

As Bob Gaudio, Quinn VanAntwerp gives a totally committed performance, as the loveable, naïve, newcomer to the group. Mr, VanAntwerp is honest and endearing in his role, completely at ease in his gradual transformation into the confident superstar songwriter. Adam Zelasko as “the forgotten man” and arranger of the harmonies, is charming as the bass voiced, arranger of the harmonies. His low profile portrayal is captivating in its simplicity.

Hayden Milanes is a stunning Frankie Valli. Mr. Milanes has it all! A beautiful voice with a soaring falsetto, good looks, fine acting, and a cherubic innocence, giving him a star turn in an unforgettable performance.

Regardless of your age, this production is engaging for everyone and the music will have you smiling from ear to ear. DO NOT MISS “JERSEY BOYS” at the Straz!

Stephanie Hayes, TampaBay.com: Milanes has a furrowed energy that gives Valli a nervous edge around the other guys. It’s a power struggle between the men, and Valli is the glue, intent on holding onto the values of the old neighborhood as everything changes. Milanes channels Valli’s falsetto in a sweet way that grows more confident as his character matures.

But the stomach flutters really come when the Four Seasons sing together. When Bob Gaudio (the boyish Quinn VanAntwerp) joins the group and leads them through Cry For Me, you realize each voice is just not the same without the others.

Dromard plays the unstable DeVito with smug pride and excellent comic zing. But the most quietly appealing actor is Adam Zelasko, a doppelganger for Don Draper who is at turns hilarious, dry and sexy as under-appreciated bass singer Nick Massi.

When the group finds its footing and signature sound, we’re sent on a exhilarating back-to-back ride through Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like a Man. Hoots! Screams! Claps!

1 Comment »

  1. I have seen this show 20 times; last one was in Greensboro, NC (last city before heading to Tampa). It is so fantastic!!! All the cast members are awesome!! Love, love, love it!!!!!

    Comment by Patti — April 12, 2014 @ 7:21 pm

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