'Jersey Boys' Sings Its Way Into the Heart of Boston
Jenna Glazier ’20 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Jersey Boys is a fun, upbeat musical about the trials and tribulations of the classic quartet the Four Seasons. The show alternately follows group members Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio, and Frankie Valli’s points of view. Jersey Boys presents its audience with two and a half hours of brilliant music and a story of determination, friendship, and the costs of fame.
The musical is wonderfully packed with the colorful, groovy vibes of the 1960s. The lighting is constantly full of color and pizzazz, totally encompassing the excitement of the era. In addition to the lighting, the show features brilliant projections that embody 1960s era comic books and other images, adding to the high energy of the scenes. A notable instance of this feature is during the performance of the song “Sherry.” Using projection and video modification, the production incorporates footage from the original performances and blends it with the updated performance on the stage.
The tactic of projection gives the show an even more historical and documentary-like feel, only enhancing the production’s vivacious tone. Each musical number contributes immense color to the overall performance, endowing the show with nonstop energy. Regardless of what is happening in the plot, the set remains a brilliantly designed sight of attraction.
When the audience is introduced to Frankie Valli, played by Aaron De Jesus, the show begins to truly take its proper form. De Jesus blows the audience away with his voice, his presence, and his uncanny resemblance to the Frankie Valli fans of the musical know and love. His performance makes the audience grateful for the privilege to experience his life story, his discovery of his passions, and his tales of failure and wild success. De Jesus’ performance only strengthens throughout the production, and there is not a single dry eye in the house after his performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” one of the show’s final numbers.
Alongside cast member De Jesus, Cory Jeacoma portrays Bobby Gaudio, the brains behind the group, and receives the better end of the musical’s monologues. Jeacoma’s delivery is consistently captivating each time he addresses the audience, who his retelling truly transports. Every time Jeacoma has the spotlight, he takes the production to an entirely new level of enjoyment.
The final number of the show is a compilation of songs, farewell monologues from the members of the group, and a reunion of the original Four Seasons. Everything about the end of Jersey Boys fills the audience with the warmth and enthusiasm only theater can provide. As each character tells what became of him, the audience continues to yearn for their story, their music, and their lives as a whole. All in all, Jersey Boys is a feel-good, passionate, and astounding piece of theater.
Never a huge fan of the Four Seasons or that style of music…but this review really has inspired me to go see this show. Very well written. Looking forward to seeing, hearing and experiencing the show.