Review: It's All About The Music In JERSEY BOYS

JERSEY BOYS is an extremely popular jukebox musical that hit Broadway in 2005, grabbing a Tony award win for Best Musical in 2006 and still running on Broadway with a projected closing date in January 2017. That's an impressive run.

So, why didn't I like it?

Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice wrote a book that is...underwhelming. The characters seem like a bag full of stereotypes, with very little distinguishing female characters from tough broad or bimbo, or male characters from crass or criminal. It's a selection of Italian stereotypes, with maybe the exception of the record producer Bob Crewe, who is written as a flagrantly gay man, which is, of course, another stereotype. Trying to find nuance in the script is next to impossible. Luckily, there's the music, and the fact that Aaron De Jesus sounds just like Frankie Valli with a voice that soars into an unbelievable falsetto.

JERSEY BOYS is the story of The Four Seasons - their rocky start, their run-ins with the law, and their assent to stardom and success. The story is written in such a way that I found myself thinking about my grocery list when there were big breaks between musical numbers. Luckily, Bob Gaudio's music and Bob Crewe's lyrics combine to create an impressive roster of songs that stick in your head. Matthew Dailey (Tommy DeVito), Aaron De Jesus (Frankie Valli), Keith Hines (Nick Massi) and Cory Jeacoma (Bob Gaudio) play The Four Seasons members with as much energy and verve as they can within the confines of the script. The four actors sing beautifully together and as soloists, with harmonies that save the day in a big way. The cast as a whole is talented and energetic.

Sitting in the audience, I could feel the energy shift whenever a song began, as if the audience was hungry for a music break. Clearly, there were many fans of that musical era at The Hobby Center that night, and many of the songs were enthusiastically received. The best musical moments of the first act are De Jesus's heavenly "Earth Angel," "I'm In The Mood For Love/Moody's Mood For Love," the toe-tapping "Sherry," "Walk Like A Man," and the sad and regret-filled "My Eyes Adored You" (beautifully sung by De Jesus and Kristen Paulicelli as Mary Delgado).

The second act is full of musical gems including the classic "Stay," the up-beat "C'mon Maryanne," the melancholy "Fallen Angel," and the funky-disco anthem "Who Loves You."

Directed by Des McAnuff, JERSEY BOYS is a well-oiled machine, with high production values that put a much-appreciated gloss to the show. McAnuff keeps the pacing up, which is a blessing in light of the uninspiring script. Lighting design by Howell Binkley is a huge hit, especially in the scene at the end of the first act ("Walk Like A Man" reprise) when we see a performance from the perspective of being behind the band. Klara Zieglerova's sleek set is fluid and unobtrusive for the show's many scene changes. Michael Clark's projection design adds a fun visual to the production, with filming of the actors performing "for TV" and vintage pop art pieces add interest to the storyline. Jess Goldstein's costumes are spot-on and pop under the lighting.

Choreography by Sergi Trujillo is fun and thoroughly appropriate for the genre. Musical direction by Ron Melrose is right on the money, with crisp musical numbers and energetic transitions.

The Four Seasons were a hit for a reason; their music spans the test of time and obviously reaches people in an emotional way. But does it translate to great theatre? I'm not so sure about that. Broadway Across America offers a jukebox musical with fun tunes from the past wrapped in a forgettable script.

JERSEY BOYS is playing at The Hobby Center through November 20. For tickets, visit thehobbycenter.org.

Note: This show is for mature audiences. It contains adult language, sexual innuendo and drug use. And to think I almost took my ten year-old. (Gulp!)

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel