Dodger Theatricals, Rodney Rigby, TEG Dainty, Josheph G Grano, Pelican Group, Michael Watt, Tommy Mottola
In association with Latituide Link and Anita Waxman
2 March 2019
Regent Theatre
to 14 April
jerseyboys.com.au
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| Glaston Toft, Ryan Gonzalez, Thomas McGuane, Cameron MacDonald. Photo by Jeff Busby |
Juke box biography musicals are hit or miss as they try to find the balance between nostalgia, reflection and truth – and fit in as many hits as possible. Jersey Boys is the semi-fictionalised story of the Four Seasons in the 1960s and when it opened on Broadway in 2005, it won, among others, the 2006 Best Musical Tony. It was first seen in Australia in 2009 and won Helpmann awards. This touring show is the third Australian production, and is in line with the current cut-down off-Broadway version.
This was my first time and it's easy to see how extra cast, a more complex stage picture and a bigger band would help in the hugeness of the Regent theatre. I was in Row F stalls on the side and was already too far away to appreciate the intimacy that helps make this show more than just hit songs.
According to Wikipedia (the official site doesn't list all members), there have been 43 seasons, including those still performing with singer Frankie Valli now. Valli has always been part of the group – who had their first hit in 1962 with "Sherry") – and has been recording and performing since 1953. His next tour starts soon. But he'll always been Teen Angel in the film of Grease to some of us.
Structured into four seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter), each of the four men in the group narrate a quarter and share their insight. The three surviving members of the band contributed to the development process.
The first half is a world where all boys are nice – even the gangsters and mob thugs – and girls are pretty or annoying nags; if you're a women in music theatre, this isn't a show you dream to be in. But you can buy a $25 "Big Girls Don't Cry" bib at the merch stand for the babies who think this stuff matters. There's also a "Walk Like A Man" bib.
Act two has more substance as they get older, struggle with relationships, and try to deal with success and agreements that were made over handshakes.
And there's the music by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe.
If you don't immediately know the the close harmonies of the Four Seasons, have a listen and you'll know why people keep coming back to see this show.
The musical numbers are nearly enough to get the room dancing. It's as close to being in the 1960s and seeing them as is possible. And the cast (Ryan Gonzalez, Cameron MacDonald, Thomas McGuane and Glaston Toft as the four) are, quite rightly, treated like superstars when they are singing.
It's clear why it's a Best Musical show, but without the intimacy of a venue that lets you be close to the action or a knock-it-to-the-moon design, the momentum lags between the hits. But, you'll still leave a bigger fan than your were when you went in.
And here's the 1975 version
