Playhouse Square’s production of ‘Jersey Boys’ Oh, What a Night!
As the first musical number for “Jersey Boys” explodes onto the State Theatre stage there is a momentary bit of confusion (Am I in the right theater?) as a black rapper performs “Ces Soirées-La” until you realize that he is rapping “Oh, What a Night.” From the back of the stage The Four Seasons emerge: Tommy DeVito (Mathew Dailey), Frankie Valli (Aaron De Jesus), Nick Massi (Keith Hines) and Bob Gaudio (Cory Jeacoma) to sing their original version of the hit song. Tommy then talks to the crowd about how their music is still just as popular over fifty years later. Not bad for a bunch of petty criminals from Jersey.
Fact is, while Frankie Valli’s buds were in and out of the pokey, he managed to keep out of jail (although he did once get a warning from a judge at a trial). It is only when DeVito and Massi realized that music could keep them out of jail (and out of car trunks) that they began to take performing on stage serious. The boys went through various name changes until discovering Bob Gaudio (who had the number one hit song “Short Shorts” with the group “The Royal Teens”). They eventually hit on the name “The Four Seasons” taken from the name of a bowling alley they were auditioning at (but were turned away from).
Nine years later the group became an overnight sensation with the hit “Sherry” that over the decades was followed by 30 Top 40 hits as well as Frankie Valli’s 9 Top 40 hits as a solo artist. “Jersey Boys” chronicles the ups and downs of “The Four Seasons” from their early days through their breakups and eventual reuniting. Through it all, Frankie Valli has continued touring into his eighties, especially now with the success of the Broadway show and two touring companies. In 2007 he released the album “Romancing the 60s” which contains songs he had always wanted to record. Members of the Broadway Cast of “Jersey Boys” are his back-up group for, what else, “On Broadway.”
As for the touring show that is playing a limited engagement through Sunday, September 25, 2016 in the State Theatre at Playhouse Square it is wall to wall start to finish entertainment. The four actors playing the group look and sound just like the original members. The musical numbers have all the excitement of the original performances. In all, 34 numbers are performed from the group’s original catalog along with hits from the day. The orchestrations are top notch and the State Theatre sound system has been balanced out to give the music it’s just due. The rags to riches story of a group of ragamuffin petty criminals and their rise to international acclaim is well acted and compelling. The lighting design hits all its marks as well.
The show has book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.
It should be noted that throughout the show there is a healthy sprinkling of profanity, in particular, “that word.” But this is after all a bunch of Jersey Boys so be forewarned.
“Jersey Boys” is that kind of Juke Box Musical that you could easily see over and over again. The current tour that has landed at Playhouse Square is exceptional. You will find yourself tapping your feet, singing along and holding hands with your significant. It is two and a half hours of great music that flies by in a hurry.
“Jersey Boys” will be on stage in the State Theatre at Playhouse Square through September 25, 2015. Performance dates and times are Friday, September 23rd at 8 p.m., Saturday, September 24th at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 25th at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now for all performances and are priced from $35 to $100 and may be purchased by calling (216) 241-6000, by going on line at www.playhousesquare.org or by stopping by the Playhouse Square Box Office located in the outer lobby of the State Theatre.
.
