Its back and its still a hit ****
Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Season, is the classic “Juke Box Musical”, all the hits wrapped around the band’s story – the formation, rise and ultimate separation of the band. The story is divided into four sections, one for each season. And each season, a different band member’s version of a part of the story. Most readers will already know about the show and many will have seen a version, so all you really need to know is if this faithfully reproduces the original. The answer is, yes. The production does a great job in reproducing all the fun and energy of the original Australian touring show (I can’t speak for the original 2005 Broadway hit). It also has its minor flaws. None-the-less it is definitely worth seeing for the first time or as a revisit.
The production is charming, energetic and loads of fun. What character depth there is can only be found in the four leads and this production (nor any other I know of) does not try to flesh out any of the other characters. Often criticised for not providing any dimension to the women, the reality is that there is no dimension in any of the supporting roles. Its all about the Four Seasons and their music. The story is an important part of this show, but it’s a straight forward ‘documentary style’. The only creativity in this musical is in the ‘four versions’ concept and even that does not really highlight the differences or explore the reasons for them, it just colours the four ‘acts’ of the show. These flaws do not diminish the enjoyment of the show, just prevent it from becoming extraordinary.
Cameron MacDonald (Tommy Devito) has the most challenging role. It takes a controlled hand to balance the New Jersey masculine brashness of this gambling crook turned muso and the fun, comedic feel of the show. MacDonald settled into this throughout the night. MacDonald has a prior connection to the show, he originally played the character of ‘Knuckles’ (now cut from the show) and understudied Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and mob boss Gyp DeCarlo. He easily steps up to one of the the staring ‘Seasons’. The man with the real Jersey Boys credentials is Glaston Toff (Nick Massi). Having toured 
the show, he has amassed more than 1,300 performances of Massi and it shows in how easily he slips into the character. His self awareness is honest and his tight comic timing in his lighter moments is on point. The newby of the cast is Thomas McGuane (Bob Gaudio) having graduated from VCA in 2017. He brings lovely vigour and passion to the role and meshes well with the group. Ryan Gonzalez played Frankie Valli on opening night. He had a sensitivity and honesty and his voice is heavenly. Overall these four actors have a wonderful on-stage relationship, they’re tight and zing vocally. The rest of the cast do well with the thinly drawn characters they are given.
What really zings are the transitions. Actors move set pieces on and off the stage so fast there is not even a hesitation in the pace. The show does not stop, moving you quickly into the next hit. And that is what we are all there for – a fun night that entertains and allows us to enjoy the live performance of the bands songs.
Lynden Jones – Theatre Now
Jersey Boys
Lyrics by Bob Crewe, book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio.
29 Aug – 9 Dec 2018
Tue – Thur 7:00pm
Fri & Sat 8pm
Sun 6:30pm
Sun & Sat Matinee 2pm
17/10, 24/10, 31/10, 7/11, 8/11, 14/11, 21/11, 28/11, 5/12, 1pm
Venue: Capitol Theatre
Theatre Company: Dodger Theatricals, Rodney Rigby and TEG-Dainty.
Duration: 2 hours and 35 minutes including interval.
