Thumbs Up For New Jersey Boys SF Cast!
May 17th, 2007Pat Craig of Contra Costa Times tells readers not to worry if you bought your tickets late — Jersey Boys remains the hottest, most harmonious ticket in town despite a complete cast change.
According to Craig, the new cast, which took over the Curran Theatre production last Friday, has every bit as much talent, energy and doo-wop sensibility as the original. That, coupled with the incredible Marshall Brickman-Rick Elice script — which proves itself even more engaging with a second viewing — makes the show not only a musical powerhouse, but an incredible yarn about an American Dream that traipses on both sides of the law to reveal the bittersweet story of one of America’s most popular and long-lived pop music groups.
Most importantly, the four new men cast as the Seasons are simply stunning. Steve Gouveia as Nick Massi, Jarrod Spector as Frankie Valli, Drew Gehling as Bob Gaudio and Jeremy Kushnier as Tommy DeVito add some fascinating new dimensions to their roles.
Spector, who was the standby for the Valli role in the original San Francisco cast, looks remarkably like Valli, and has a well-developed emotional range that takes him from a callow young boy eager to get his first break to a road-toughened man facing down his own demons and those of his pals.
Gehling’s Gaudio brings a delightful humor to the role, giving the songwriting Season a more well-developed personality and the show a few more laughs.
Kushnier, as DeVito, the group’s bad boy, is able to create a character who is both a loving older brother figure to Valli and eventually a frightening foe to all of the other Seasons. Gouveia, whose dialogue as Massi includes describing himself as the Ringo of the group, manages a character who is both goofy and tough, sometimes at the same time.
Glad the critics are going back.
But…Jarrod looks “remarkably like” the real Frankie? Frankie never looked THAT good!
When I worked retail Pat Craig used to come into my store regularly. One day I would like his job…
Comment by Leanna — May 17, 2007 @ 9:01 am
In regards to the line: “which proves itself more engaging with a second viewing”, I’d like to add a hearty exclamation mark. I’m so glad to see that point made in the media. I have a friend who was luke warm after first seeing JB, but then positively speechless after the second time.
Often, it takes time to let down your guard enough to take it all in. (She has gone on to her third time with more to come.) This show cannot be absorbed in just one performance. I generally tell people to see it at least three times to fully appreciate “the nuances of my material” (to quote Hank Majewski). Of course, by then… one is hopelessly hooked.
A lot of things in life are all about the anticipation and, of course the actual event. For me, this show is equally about the impact and yes… even inspiration, that stays long after you leave the theater.
Comment by Audrey — May 17, 2007 @ 10:48 am
It is nice to know that SOMEBODY likes Steve Gouveia’s performance as Nick Massi. I was reading through fan reviews on the Second Tour page, and all of them were kind of negative towards his performance, especially after seeing Michael Ingersoll so many times.
Comment by Michael Lennon — May 17, 2007 @ 11:55 am