Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Ah, the Jersey Boys, back in the 1960s and 1970s. Now you’re getting back into my era (should I be so blatant about it?) Okay, I’m old; get over it.
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were big back then, like the Beach Boys and later the Beatles, and they had a sound of their own that was not like those other groups. But boy, it was fun to listen to. Remember “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry”? You will, after you see this show.
Twenty years ago the La Jolla Playhouse premiered this show, and now the famous jukebox musical is back for the oldies like me and the kids who didn’t grow up with it (but they’ll wish they had).
This production is playing through Oct. 6 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.
This cast has 14 people in it. Four of them play the principals (Nicholas Alexander is Frankie Valli; Noah Archibald is Nick Massi; Anthony Carro is Tommy DeVito and Taubert Nadalini* is Bob Gaudio. The show is structured in seasons, and each member of the band narrates one, adding his perspective. They’re accompanied at appropriate times by an eleven-member orchestra.
This production is terrific, and Nicholas Alexander’s Frankie is fabulous. The guy can sing all night and sound just as good at the end. I’m envious.
The set is in two levels with the orchestra at the back. The set works well, and the lighting and video effects are terrific too.
There are also four girls, who each play several different girls; most of them sing and dance also, and the eleven-member orchestra adds depth to the music.
Get ready for goodies like “Walk Like a Man” and “My Eyes Adored You.” I mean, how can you not love songs like those?
The show ends with a 1990 reunion, with the Four Seasons in the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
It’s a terrific show. Don’t miss it.
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