This powerhouse of a musical charting the rise of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is a must-see this Christmas.
Jersey Boys has multiple awards under its belt from Tonys to Oliviers and there’re good reasons why…
This was a band whose music catalogue set such a high standard, it continues to spawn hits to this day including Beggin’ and Oh What A Night, which helps it feel fresh for all generations. It’s a fast-paced and funny story recounting the real lives of the four original members of America’s Four Seasons, from New Jersey to the rock’n’roll Hall of Fame.
Narrated by each of them, the action continually moves along with no pause for breath and song after song of classics like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Bye Bye Baby, I Love You Baby and so many more.
It’s been carefully thought out with a first-class script, creating an emotive storyline of the band’s highs, lows and fallouts – there’s some clever techniques to add depth and variety including using a big screen at the back of the stage. Although special effects are kept to a minimum as it’s ultimately the music that is the real winner in this top drawer show.
Then there is the choreography! It’s a painstaking recreation of the band’s distinctive footwork, which seems so quirky in this day and age, but brilliant.
When I saw it, the long-standing lead playing Frankie Valli, Michael Pickering, got ill and was swapped out at the interval. That could explain why his voice was not quite as impeccable as this musical usually demands. His understudy, Luke Suri, picked up the mantle easily and had a stunning voice.
It summed up how Jersey Boys is such a slick, highly polished affair. It’s fun, feel-good and the perfect pick me up to bring joy this Christmas.
Jersey Boys runs until Saturday 1st January 2022. For further information and tickets click HERE
