THE BOYS ARE BACK IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR FOUR WEEKS ONLY, AND THE JUKEBOX IS ALL “JERSEY BOYS”
“OH WHAT A NIGHT” STILL IS A CHARM, EVEN ON ROUND FOUR, AFTER 10 YEARS
THE BOYS STILL RAISE THE BAR FOR THE FOUR SEASONS
Ten years ago the JERSEY BOYS first national tour opened here in San Francisco to rave reviews, and went on to break house records in cities across America, London, Tokyo and worldwide has been seen by over 22 million people. Most of this current cast if from the Las Vegas company and they are here for a short four week run at SHN Orpheum stage, through Sunday February 14th. If you have seen this jukebox hit once or twice, (I think I have seen it four times) - it still holds up for second look. Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff, JERSEY BOYS is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty. The show features all their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What A Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Working My Way Back To You.”
This young cast is impressive: Aaron D. Jesus plays Frankie and he captures that iconic falsetto voice we have seen in this musical over the years. He is fresh from his three year run in the Vegas production. Matthew Dailey plays the hard nose, Tommy DeVito, the original member who formed the Four Seasons. Tenor and skilled singer Drew Seeley is cast as Bob Gaudio, and Keith Hines rounds out the boys as Nick Massi. Their producer, Bob Crewe, is played by Barry Anderson, less flamboyant than I have seen in past tours.
The current cast is just as stand out as in the past, and I get the feeling from the sold out opening night crowd that I wasn’t the only repeat fan in the crowd. The original Four Seasons made their way to the top of Radio charts and stayed their until the mid 70’s. The set and spot light design remain the same. But if you did first see this four in the smaller Curran stage you will note that intimacy is missing. Each member get to tell their side of the story and that makes for great “Rashomon” narrative to see all four sides of their thrilling careers.
The sound is still strong and keeps the audience smiling and at times singing along. The JERSEY BOYS remains one of the number 1 Jukebox musicals now still on tour. But with ticket sales not at hyped as with their past visits - SHN is offering some great deals to see this “MUST SEE” musical for an affordable price. For the first time this show is listed on Goldstar.com that sells discounted seats and if you pay cash at the box office you can get great Mezzanine seat for $35.00 for a week night performance. If you have yet to see this musical, it is time you do. It has a short run, but plenty of good seats remain. I could end with “Oh What a Night” but I will use Valli’s closing monologue “Like that bunny on TV, it just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music. Trying to find our way home”. Find your way to the favorite jukebox musical JERSEY BOYS.
SHN PRESENTS
THE JERSEY BOYS
THE STORY OF THE FOUR SEASONS
BOOK BY MARSHALL BRICKMAN AND RICK ELICE,
MUSIC BY BOB GAUDIO, LYRICS BY BOB CREWE
DIRECTED BY DES McANUFF
PLAYING SAN FRANCISCO’S SHN ORPHEUM THEATRE
JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 14, 2016
2.5 HOURS
TICKETS AT http://www.shnsf.com
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