Jersey Boys - First Preview. My Review — Page 3

I just got back home (to Jersey) from Jersey Boys, with mixed feelings. The performances were great, especially John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli, but some of the jokes and sets were taken straight out of "The Sopranos", like the mentioning of all those Jersey towns (they didn't mention mine) and the pictures of the Pulaski Skyway. I also didn't much care for the chain link fences, and much of the set made for obscured views from where I was sitting in 4th row right side. However, the music scenes were great, and I liked the way they showed it being filmed for TV and then straight forward to us in the audience.
The theatre was nearly full, a good sign for a rainy Tuesday night in October, and the audience really was into it, with a big standing O.

"Smokey Joe's Cafe" is a great jukebox musical. So, arguably, is "Forever Plaid." They just came out before that term was coined (and before it became an object of derision.)

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I agree with all the great reviews. Jersey Boys is terrific. The play lays out beautifully - great people. However, I must disagree with Meast's two cents worth on one issue. I do not believe that Jersey Boys will help the jukebox musical - just the opposite.
Unlike Hushpuppy, I liked Mama Mia. It's not a great musical, but it's easy to see why a lot of producers stepped up to use the same formula to make money. The results have been just so-so. I personally think The jukebox musical is a cop-out.
Having forced my opinions on you, I'll try your patience with one more. Jersey Boys will be the South Pacific of jukebox musicals; a musical so good, it makes everything else non-competative for a time. I think few producers will risk competing with Jersey Boys. However, I bet we'll see a lot of original musical satires in the Spamalot mold.

Funny that. I'm also coming from London! Got tickets for 11 November. I can't wait either.

I SIMPLY LOVED JERSEY BOYS.......and I have never been a Four Seasons Fan (before seeing Jersey Boys, that is). And I am NOT from New Jersey (and can guarantee you I will NEVER be from New Jersey).

It is just a wonderful night at the theatre. Everything worked for me!!! And apparently just about everyone else in the audience felt the same way..

Multiple show stopping applause and standing ovations....IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PLAY!!!! I NEVER experienced anything like that before in all my years of theatre-going. This show is a true winner as far as being "crowd pleasing" is concerned. I actually left the theatre thinking that I got my monies worth (which unfortunately is not always the case).

This Play is based as much on the compelling BOOK as it is on the wonderfully performed music by a uniformly talented cast. Not a single Four Seasons hit song is played until about 45 minutes into the show.

Go see it. Even if you are not from Jersey or a Frankie Valli fan. I am sure you will not be disappointed or feel cheated.
Actually, I plan to see it again (personal finances permitting).

Oh. Just one more thing: I do feel they could cut out some of the cuss words in the one scene where four-letter words are used in rapid fire order even though it probably is a very accurrate (and, I must admit, funny) depictation of how those characters actually talked (being would be wise-guys in training a la the Sopranos). This would vastly broaden the potential audience by opening it up to an younger audience.

Updated On: 10/14/05 at 10:52 AM

I saw Jersey Boys last night and I LOVED,LOVED,LOVED it. It's a show you go see to just sit back and enjoy. John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli is amazing !!! What a voice and may I add a lot handsomer than the real Frankie (who I adore). Christian Hoff as Tommy DeVito has the crowd roaring with laughter from the moment he opens his mouth...you can't help but to fall in love with this thug...I expect a TONY nod for him. The naiive and sweet Bob Gaudio played by Daniel Reichard reminded me a lot of myself growing up...if I only had his talent. This character's innocence of youth tugged at my heart.Mr.Reichard's voice melted that same heart. J.Robert Spencer as Nick Massi was also great, understated and sweet. This is a show that I will be returning to many times.

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