Mark Papazian

The holiday season is not complete without the perfect music to accompany it. 'Broadway's Carols for a Cure' is the latest compilation album that embodies the spirit of the season like nothing else can. A project born completely out of love, 'Broadway's Carols for a Cure' pairs the casts from famous Broadway musicals with songs that are both classic and new. The result is pure gold that will make you reach for the 'repeat' button over and over again.

The jukebox musical JERSEY BOYS is a crowd-pleaser. The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will celebrate 10 years on Broadway this fall and the tour is making its third stop in Minneapolis this week. At times during last night's opening night, the crowd reacted like this was a Four Seasons tribute concert. But it's so much more than that. This jukebox musical is not just hit after hit strung together with some loose threads we're supposed to accept as a plot. Rather this beloved and familiar music is woven into the true life story of the rise and fall of these Hall of Fame rock-and-rollers. It's like an episode of VH1's Behind the Music, revealing that all was not rosy behind those crisp harmonies and sharp dance moves. Fame and celebrity at a young age rarely lead to a smooth road in life. Any show that featured a string of hits from the '60s would be sure to sell out to a population dominated by baby boomers, but it's the clever book that weaves the hits together and tells a story worth hearing that is responsible for JERSEY BOYS' critical success and staying power.

Jersey Boys is far more than a jukebox musical. It is deeper and richer in story line, texture, and technique than most~ a tale of invention, of the creative work-in-progress, the sometimes perilous and sometimes glorious alchemy that, in the case of four young men from the gritty streets of Newark, transforms them into one of America's iconic rock and pop groups. And their story is brilliantly conveyed in perfect harmony by Hayden Milanes (whose tenor falsetto is spot-on Valli), Nicolas Dromard, Quinn VanAntwerp, and Adam Zelasko.

The First National Tour of JERSEY BOYS celebrates its fifth anniversary on the road this Saturday, December 10.

On Monday November 16th, the cast of JERSEY BOYS 1st National tour will present 'ROCK LIKE A MAN' an evening of classic rock and roll at the D.C Improv with proceeds to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

On Monday November 16th, the cast of JERSEY BOYS 1st National tour will present 'ROCK LIKE A MAN' an evening of classic rock and roll at the D.C Improv with proceeds to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.