“Everyone remembers it how they need to, right?”
What’s it all about? How did four blue-collar kids become one of the greatest successes in pop music history? You ask four guys, and you get four answers. “Jersey Boys” is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the form of one spectacular Tony Award-winning musical.
Waiting in the lobby of the Toronto Centre for the Arts, I met a lady who has seen “Jersey Boys” six times. Yes, you have read that correctly. She and her husband adored the musical’s first year in Toronto so much, that she is determined to round out the number to an even ten during Jersey Boys’ second year.
After the first twenty minutes of the musical, I didn’t quite understand where she was coming from. I was somewhat shocked at the French/Hip-Hop number at the beginning, and cringed slightly at the young Frankie Valli’s faltering falsetto. I gave the Boys the benefit of the doubt, however. The beginning of the musical focuses on the early years, and the fact that they’re not that great is understandable.
But everything changed when Bobby showed his handsome, amiable face.
It’s hard not to fall in love with Bob Gaudio (Quinn Vanantwerp), the Four Seasons’ composer and de-facto Number Two. “Cry For Me” introduced Bobby to the group and it’s then — as each of the Boys added their own voice to Bobby’s — that I understood what the lady in the foyer was talking about.
Yes, Frankie had the “voice of the angels” — but Bobby had the talent. After “Cry For Me”, the audience of Jersey Boys is treated to a near-perfect reproduction of three of the Four Seasons’ most popular hits: “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man”. There isn’t much in the way of narrative or dialogue between these numbers, so, I was expecting the intermission to occur.
That didn’t happen for another four or so numbers — a somewhat awkward place to put an intermission — but this prolonged section featured a clever and humorous take on my favourite Four Seasons’ song, “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)”. And Bobby got to sing it, which was the cherry on top. I had a smile plastered on my face for the entire intermission because of it.
I don’t want to ruin any details concerning the second act. You’ll have to catch the show in Toronto, Las Vegas or London for yourself to get the details. However, I will say the final “goodbye” is appropriately heartfelt and gets the biggest laughs of the night.
Important: There is a great offer happening with Jersey Boys for the next week or so. If you purchase your tickets before June 27th — for ticket information, see below video — you can get two tickets for the price of one. Just use the code SUMMER when you purchase your tickets online or through the phone. Just think about how great that is: you and a friend can see a Tony Award-winning show for less than going to the movie theatre.
You will not be disappointed.
Ticket Information: Tickets range from $25- $110 and can be purchased in person at the box office of the Toronto Centre of the Arts, by calling 416-644-3665 or online. Limited same-day rush seats are available. Tickets on sale now for performances through to September 12th, 2010.
Notes: Directed by Des McAnuff; Written by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, Bob Crewe; Starring Michael Lomena, Jeff Madden, Daniel Robert Sullivan, Quinn VanAntwerp; Music by Bob Gaudio.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I forgot this was in town. I'll have to use that code thing when I get the chance.
@Gregory It's only good for a week or so. So, get a move on.
I saw this in New York years ago and thought it was great for the music but the script was a little lacking- I still enjoyed it a lot though. What's great is that I grew up near the area the band's from, and most of the audience was a bridge and tunnel NJ crowd, so every time the characters referenced specific areas all the NJ people got way excited.
@Alex I didn’t know that they used the real NJ locations in the musical. That’s pretty great.