So I watched this last night not having seen any iteration of Jersey Boys before nor really knowing the music of the Four Seasons.
I really wanted to like this show, but I just did not unfortunately. It felt like a community production. There were a bunch of lighting and sound issues, which I can forgive because the show just re-opened.
The overall production and set just felt cheap. I’ve never seen it on Broadway/off-Broadway so I have nothing to compare it to. I am not a fan of screens, especially if screens are used to replace physical set pieces. A lot of set pieces came in by actors pushing in and out. The only piece that slides in are the mics. Also, the orchestrations sounded pretty light, with electronic keyboards clearly replacing instruments. I usually don’t notice this, but it was pretty obvious in this show.
The whole cast is very talented. Jon Hacker as Frankie Valli has the pipes and the charisma (and the energy). The harmonies are pretty much what you come to the show for, and it’s there! To me, the standout of the production is the choreography and the dancing. This cast knocks it out of the park, it was all so clean and fun to watch.
Not sure what I was expecting or if I’m just not the target audience, but it felt like a cruise ship production.