Jersey Boys, Las Vegas Show Review by Michelle Alexandria
So, I’m in Vegas this week for the Consumer Electronics Show and I’m sitting in my room a few days before the festivities kick off and am bored out of my mind. Even though I’ve been to Vegas maybe 10 times, I’ve never been to a show, other than Cirque Du Soleil’s “O” about 10 years ago. So I decided this week would be show week. I went down to the front desk and everything that I wanted to see Tuesday night was dark, the only shows in town these days seem to be either magic or comedy shows. The only musical was Jersey Boys. I didn’t know anything about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons they were a bit before my time. I actually paid real people money, $130, for the show – no comps or VIP Press passes. My seats were in the very back of the theater, but it was stadium seating so it wasn’t so bad. Luckily, once the venue filled up, I noticed some empty seats in the third row and I made a b-line for them.
The show starts off with a bang, it’s some band doing a modernized version of December 1963 – in French. It was hot, my eyes popped open and I was like, ok, I’m hooked. Then one of the band members comes out and talks a bit about how he was amazed how timeless all of their songs were, the show segues into the back story about the history of Frankie Valli and the Four Season. We see how Tommy DeVito starts the band and encourages a young Frankie to start singing. In a surprise moment it turns out Joe Pesci introduced Bob Gaudio to the band. Turns out Bob wrote almost all of their music.
Speaking of music, I had no idea that the Four Seasons were behind all of those hits including December 1963 (What A Night), Sherry, Walk Like A Man, My Eyes Adored You, Stay, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back To You, Rag Doll and others. The group killed on all of these but Travis Cloer who played Frankie Valli brought the house down on Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. The theater’s audio system was freaking amazing. You could really feel the beat of the drums and everything was just perfectly balanced. The Vegas Crowd was weird, they applauded respectfully but there were several moments when Cloer looked like he was expecting a standing ovation. I was looking around thinking, maybe I should be the “slow-clap” girl and lead the charge.
The show takes about 40 – 50 minutes to build up to the band finally coming together and us getting their first hit Sherry. After that the show really takes off, because it’s hit after hit the rest of the night. We see how the band handled (or didn’t handle the success), the inevitable breakup and reunion. The ending of the show felt bitter sweet when we find out what happened to everyone.
This was the best show that I’ve seen in years, I got so caught up that I even bought the overpriced CDs in the gift shop. This is a story that cries out for the film treatment. The funny thing is after listening to the original Show Soundtrack (featuring the NY Cast) Vs. the Original Franki Valli Greatest Hits Disc vs. the Vegas Show. I have to say the Vegas Performance is miles better than the other two.
Final Grade A+
EM Review by
Michelle Alexandria
Originally Posted 1.10.09
I have to agree. I didn’t see the Las Vegas performance of Jersey Boys, but saw a similar performance it in Atlantic City two years ago. Can’t remember the name, for it was a whirlwind trip to Atlantic City, but the show was great. It was at the Tropicana. The singers were amazing.
I’ve seen the Vegas Show twice and before that the JB National Tour group to a wildly enthustiastic audience and have to agree, the LV crowd is dull dull dull. They must be sitting on their hands to keep them warm. I don’t know what they are expecting. The LV show is great and the actors just don’t get the respect they deserve. Maybe the weekend crowds are better. I personally hope they never try to make a movie out of it because the magic of the show is in the lively and fast paced staging.