#1
Posted: 1/6/06 at 3:52pm
JERSEY BOYS Review
Yet another jukebox concert has opened on Broadway – beware of the buzz, for “Jersey Boys” is nothing more than a mind-numbing, risk-free romp that only at times entertains. The newly re-named “August Wilson Theatre” plays host to the retelling of the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Snippets of their lives, their music, and their journey to stardom come together under the direction of Des McAnuff. Unfortunately, much like this directors flopped “Dracula” attempt last season, “Jersey Boys” has even less soul and spirit than the aforementioned disaster. What “Jersey Boys” must have is an extremely talented leading man when he decides to show up to do his performances.
Mr. John Lloyd Young, one of Broadway’s most lauded performers of the year, decided to sit this performance out to appear on top of the world the next morning on NBC’s “Today Show.” Dominic Nolfi, who was in the show during its La Jolla run seemed to have as much charisma in his whole body that Lloyd Young must have in his pinky figer alone. His act II solo “Can’t Take my Eyes off You” was more like, ‘my ear drums can’t take much more of you!’ After an evening of missed lighting cues, missed pitches, and flubbed lines…Nolfi left anything but a memorable impression.
That being said, the other three group members solidly portrayed thankless characters. Most notable among them was Daniel Reichard as singer/songwriter Bobby Gaudio. His singing, performing, and acting abilities carry the otherwise cathartic evening to a whole different level. When Reichard is onstage, especially during “Oh What a Night,” he delivers on every exciting level.
If only the book could be as exciting as Reichard’s performance. Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s book was not only demeaning to American Theatre audiences, but talked down and to the willingly unknowing and gullibly accepting theatergoers. Instead of writing an intricate book with new, refreshing, and though provoking dialogue – each actor narrates the story that could benefit leaps and bounds from a classic Broadway staging.
From “The Four Seasons” younger years, to their children and forgettable love lives (the number on women in this show is also another demeaning mark of musical theatre money spending on Broadway!), affairs, mob ties, and induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; this pre packaged event does not even begin to cover it all. Why introduce one of Frankie Valli’s children and completely forget the others? Yet, one of many story flaws! A statement of some sort? Maybe! But rather a strident decision that only exemplifies this works mediocrity.
How hard is it after all to copy an already exiting art? Drag Queens in Chelsea have done better jobs! The concept of a “Jersey Boys Musical” may have worked, but this theatre goer is fed up with the unoriginality of the American supposed Musical. Nothing in “Jersey Boy’s” universally educates today’s society. This concert version of The Four Seasons lives is far from musical theatre and what is left is a hodge-podge and entirely forgettable event.
Yet another jukebox concert has opened on Broadway – beware of the buzz, for “Jersey Boys” is nothing more than a mind-numbing, risk-free romp that only at times entertains. The newly re-named “August Wilson Theatre” plays host to the retelling of the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Snippets of their lives, their music, and their journey to stardom come together under the direction of Des McAnuff. Unfortunately, much like this directors flopped “Dracula” attempt last season, “Jersey Boys” has even less soul and spirit than the aforementioned disaster. What “Jersey Boys” must have is an extremely talented leading man when he decides to show up to do his performances.
Mr. John Lloyd Young, one of Broadway’s most lauded performers of the year, decided to sit this performance out to appear on top of the world the next morning on NBC’s “Today Show.” Dominic Nolfi, who was in the show during its La Jolla run seemed to have as much charisma in his whole body that Lloyd Young must have in his pinky figer alone. His act II solo “Can’t Take my Eyes off You” was more like, ‘my ear drums can’t take much more of you!’ After an evening of missed lighting cues, missed pitches, and flubbed lines…Nolfi left anything but a memorable impression.
That being said, the other three group members solidly portrayed thankless characters. Most notable among them was Daniel Reichard as singer/songwriter Bobby Gaudio. His singing, performing, and acting abilities carry the otherwise cathartic evening to a whole different level. When Reichard is onstage, especially during “Oh What a Night,” he delivers on every exciting level.
If only the book could be as exciting as Reichard’s performance. Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s book was not only demeaning to American Theatre audiences, but talked down and to the willingly unknowing and gullibly accepting theatergoers. Instead of writing an intricate book with new, refreshing, and though provoking dialogue – each actor narrates the story that could benefit leaps and bounds from a classic Broadway staging.
From “The Four Seasons” younger years, to their children and forgettable love lives (the number on women in this show is also another demeaning mark of musical theatre money spending on Broadway!), affairs, mob ties, and induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; this pre packaged event does not even begin to cover it all. Why introduce one of Frankie Valli’s children and completely forget the others? Yet, one of many story flaws! A statement of some sort? Maybe! But rather a strident decision that only exemplifies this works mediocrity.
How hard is it after all to copy an already exiting art? Drag Queens in Chelsea have done better jobs! The concept of a “Jersey Boys Musical” may have worked, but this theatre goer is fed up with the unoriginality of the American supposed Musical. Nothing in “Jersey Boy’s” universally educates today’s society. This concert version of The Four Seasons lives is far from musical theatre and what is left is a hodge-podge and entirely forgettable event.
Updated On: 1/7/06 at 03:52 PM
