The timeless music and true-life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are the fuel that drives the Broadway production of the catchy and fun Jersey Boys. After years of waiting, the National Tour finally made a stop at Baltimore’s beautiful, refurbished Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.
When I saw this show five years ago in Vegas, I did not know what it was about. I had no idea that Frankie Valli was responsible for hits like “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Stay,” “Working My Way Back to You” and a heck of a lot more. The program lists another 30 hits that didn’t make the cut including “Grease.” At some point this show becomes more of a concert than a simple retailing of the group’s rise to fame.
How much of the story as presented here is true is anyone’s guess. As group founder Tommy DeVito (Nicolas Dromard) says in the beginning, “You ask four guys how this group was started, you’ll get four different answers.” If you believe Tommy, the primary narrator, the group wouldn’t have existed without him; he is the one who created the Four Seasons, took talented young Frankie (Nick Cosgrove) under his wing, and taught him everything he knew.
(l to r) Jason Kappus, Nicolas Dromard, Nick Cosgrove and Brandon Andrus Photo: Jeremy Daniel
The show kicks off with a rocking, hip-hop, French version of “December 1963? called “Cés Soirées-La (Oh, What a Night).” The first half hour of the show covers the building of the band. We see an early iteration when it consisted of Tommy, his brother Nick, and Frankie. Then we meet the fourth member, Nick Massi (Brandon Andrus). It is kind of painful sitting through this part of the show, watching them struggle to find a sound, a name, and basically a reason to exist. There are lots of jokes about Tommy and his brother going in and out of jail.
Tommy is the type of guy who in some ways you want on your side. When he gives you his word he sticks with it. He will do just about anything to get ahead, but at heart he’s also a screw-up and petty criminal.
(l to r) Nick Cosgrove and Jason Kappus Photo: Jeremy Daniel
The show kicks into high gear when Joe Pesci (Ian Joseph) – yes, that Joe Pesci – convinces Tommy to give a young writer/singer named Bob Gaudio (Jason Kappus) a try. The kid had had a hit with “Short Shorts,” but struggled afterwards and feared becoming a one-hit wonder. When he heard Frankie sing, he was smitten with his voice and the creative juices started to flow. A partnership sealed with a Jersey handshake was formed and the rest is rock and roll history. The show becomes a party trip down memory lane that sent the Baltimore crowd into overdrive.
It is hard to believe that the team of Gaudio and Valli was so prolific. Now, I won’t lie: At certain points there definitely seemed to be a formula to their music. But how can you argue with the toe-tapping results? The rest of the show is all about the hits, the ups and downs of being on the road all the time, and how that life impacted their relationships. We see Frankie lose his family, Tommy get in over his head with loan sharks, and Nick simply get tired of the entire thing.
(l to r) Jason Kappus, Nick Cosgrove, Nicolas Dromard, Brandon Andrus and the Company of JERSEY BOYS Photo: Jeremy Daniel
The harmonies were on point most of the night, but there were some moments when things sounded a bit off-key, and Cosgrove’s voice got lost in the mix. However, he really shines in signature solo moments like “My Eyes Adored You” (I used to think this was “My Eyes of Georgia”), and one of my personal favorites, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”
It amazes me that the producers and director Des McAnuff can find someone who can capture the essence of Valli’s truly unique voice. Jersey Boys is one of those perennial shows that shouldn’t be missed.
Jersey Boys is playing at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center until Sunday, November 24, 2013. Visit JerseyBoysTour.com to find out when they are coming near you.
This article first appeared here on Blogcritics.com.