Thanks for Four Years of Awesome
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Blogged Around Philly: Farewell Edition
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Finally, after months of waiting, Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, has arrived in Philadelphia. That's right, folks, Frankie Valli's stunt-double and his cast of ridiculously talented crooners will be charming audiences at the Forrest Theater from now until December 12th. Phillyist cannot stress enough how amazing this show is. Did you know that Dick Clark's American Bandstand, which began right here in Philadelphia, was an integral part of The Four Seasons' history? Even the original group members are thrilled this show has made its way back to the place where some of the big magic began, so keep a close eye on who's sitting next to you. You never know when a crooner is going to show up unannounced.
When it comes to musical theater, Jersey Boys sits in a class of its own. Many people who haven't experienced this glorious award-winning masterpiece often assume that it's the hybrid love-child of Mamma Mia and Movin' Out, two shows whose story lines are fictionally-centered around the extensive musical catalogs of ABBA and Billy Joel—which is quite possibly the only theatrical marriage capable of making even the Tony Award self-destruct. However, what makes this show different from other jukebox-style musicals is that it's based on factual events. Jersey Boys is the true rags-to-riches story of how four boys from New Jersey became The Four Seasons. This show is the real deal, the behind-the-scenes glimpse of one band's journey up the cutthroat ladder of fame and fortune.
The story unfolds through the eyes of the original four group members, Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio, and the audience gets to hear not just one, but four different versions of what went down. There's no denying the storyline is interesting enough to survive on its own—who needs music when there are mobsters, corruption, and a plethora of jail scenes? But in all reality, The Four Seasons have already told us their life story through every last song they recorded, even if most of us never realized it. Each song, including number-one hits "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," and "Walk Like a Man," are beautifully incorporated into the script. Seriously, these songs (thirty-three of them to be exact) take on a whole new meaning once you see them in the show. A couple of them even necessitate the use of tissues, they're so deeply moving.
When The Four Seasons sing, it feels more like a documentary-themed rock concert, rather than a musical. As for the cast, they are nothing less than spectacular. Their vocals are absolutely impeccable and what's even more impressive is their versatility. The majority of the cast members (especially the ladies) play several different roles throughout the show and by "several" we're talking double-digits. How does one play that many characters without risking self-inflicted mental illness?
As for our quartet of leading men—these guys are amazing, every single one of them. If we didn't know any better, we would be looking for their Delorean right now. They sound so much like the originals it's frightening, yet fantastic at the same time. Joseph Leo Bwarie's portrayal of Frankie Valli was spot-on. How do you sound that much like the original? Did he sign a deal with the Jersey Devil or something? Oh, and he's got that whole teen-idol-dream-boat image mastered. Matt Bailey, who plays quintessential sexy bad boy, Tommy DeVito, is a delight to watch. His mannerisms and use of expletive language alone are enough to make any Jersey native proud. Steve Gouveia (Nick Massi) was hysterical and the audience just adored him. His dry sense of humor and woe-is-me personality were a great addition to the tone of the show. Quinn Vanantwerp, who played Bob Gaudio, the adorable straight-laced mastermind behind the group, did an amazing job capturing the innocence of his character, especially during "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)."
Even if you're not a fan of musical theater, you may want to put your showtune-loathing tendencies aside and give this particular show a chance. Oh, and if you haven't purchased tickets yet, you better do it soon because the show sells out in every tour city it passes through. Make room in that busy schedule of yours and go witness this amazing musical documentary about one of the most successful rock n' roll groups to ever grace the American stage.
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