Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys has now settled into Sydney's Theatre Royal, after its smash hit 453 performance run in Melbourne.

Re-reading Bryce Ives' review of the Melbourne opening, which follows mine, frankly I realised he had already covered much of what I wanted to say, so I'll keep my review brief.

Jukebox musicals aren’t generally my thing, but there’s an exception to every rule, and Jersey Boys must be mine.

The hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, like “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Rag Doll”, “Oh What a Night,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” combine to create a terrific score, while a more than usually substantial book, strong on characterization and cutting in its wit, doesn’t try to gloss over darker side of the Italian / American quartet, including mafia connections and criminal history.

Led by Bobby Fox’s astonishing vocal channeling of Frankie Valli’s trademark falsetto, backed by great harmonies and a very slick band, musically Jersey Boys is thrilling.

This Tony Award winning Broadway hit really is the full package. The splendid original design, integration of multi-media, costuming, and era evoking choreography, honed on Broadway, are emulated with great local flair.

Neil Litchfield

Image: Bows, Opening Night, Sydney. Photo: Fiora Sacco Photography

Melbourne

Melbourne loves a big show. But in these tough economic times, we haven’t had a lead-up to an opening night of theatre as big as Jersey Boys in a while. Melburnians have been bombarded with marketing for the show, and after Saturday night, I now understand why.
This rags-to-riches story has every element of an absolute hit.
Jersey Boys is high energy, high impact and high drama. It's also quite conveniently full of songs we know and love: the music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.
Let’s get one thing straight. If you feel funny about ‘jukebox musicals’ you need not worry – Jersey Boys is way beyond these concerns.
We have had few professional productions in Australia handled better. ‘Crisp’ is a word that keeps coming to mind: the overall production, the brilliant writing, the lighting design, the set, the performances, the choreography.
The show is brilliantly directed by Des McAnuff and is precise and almost cinematic in its composition.
Bobby Fox fills the enormous shoes of Frankie Valli in an electric performance that goes way beyond imitation. He owns the journey and brings a satisfying truth to the highs and lows of the performer’s life.
Scott Johnson has brilliant presence as the dodgy-dealing Tommy De Vitto, and also plays bass guitar. Stephen Mahy as Bob Gaudio nails ‘Oh what a night’ in all its tenor glory. Glaston Toft holds the bass line as Nick Massi, and balances comedy and pathos in a fantastic performance.
Jersey Boys brings an element of class and style to the theatre. It will please musical-theatre purists, but will have high impact with the mums and dads in suburbia, who will be standing in the aisles singing and dancing.
My prediction is that it will live at the Princess for a long time.
Bryce Ives