Jersey Boys - my review

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:03am

I saw Jersey Boys this past Wed (before Thanksgiving) and I loved it. I was surprised to find that 3/4 of the audience was OLDER than me (and I'm 50!), I mean over 65 perhaps...and the rest were perhaps 18-30 ? I had good seats, center orchestra about 16 rows from the stage, although every seat there is good I'd say since the theatre is small.

I absolutely loved the beginning.. nice surprise and good dancing. There were no standing ovations as I had read about on the boards but very loud applause after each song. Actually at one point about 3/4 of the audience started to sing along and I almost shouted.. STOP.. I wanna hear them!

Anyway, I enjoyed the story,(is it really like it was??) loved the music and the performances were right on - for everybody. What a voice John Lloyd Young has! But Ch ristian Hoff, Daniel Reichard and J Robert Spencer were all fantastic. I'm glad I went and if I get the chance I would go again.

[rowers unite]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 1:04pm

thanks for the review.... my dad and i are taking a trip down to NYC in March and since he is obessed with or was obessed with Frank Valli we are seeing it, although being 18 it sounds as though i will be a minority

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 1:12pm

i am 23 years old. saw the 5th preview of the show and was totally unimpressed. i did enjoy the music, but the book and the sets really turned me off. the audience did seem to LOVE it though, so maybe i missed something.

i gave the show a second chance this past friday and had the same reaction. i absolutely hated the book. yes, the music is wonderful, but the show seemed more like a concert to me than a broadway show. the guy next to me was singing the songs OUT LOUD!! the audience absolutely loved it...and most of them were over 60.

needless to say, i will not be giving Jersey Boys a third chance. give me Light in the Piazza any day.
Updated On: 11/28/05 at 01:12 PM

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 1:55pm

Saw it, loved it, seeing it again. DON'T sit in the first row though, the stage is VERY high.. Third to fifth row or further back is better.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 2:48pm

I was there on Friday matinee and was not impressed. After seeing the segment on the parade on Thursday, I thought I would love the show. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The understudy for Frankie was on and he struggled with the vocals (he didn't sound like Frankie Valli either).

The songs were wonderful, but the book was horrible. I'm just thankful the audience didn't sing along because that would have annoyed me.

Updated On: 11/28/05 at 02:48 PM

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 2:52pm

Well..you youngsters.. I can see how you may not like it as much as us old foggies...and I agree it does seem more like a concert of Frankie Vali songs than a play but since I love Frankie and his songs I enjoyed myself. Don't know if the story is entirely true (I hope some parts are made up)but it did seem like the audience wanted to sing every song which annoyed me. I'm not sure it's you cup of tea if you're not a fan of the 4 seasons though

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 2:58pm

wickedfan2: this show is definitely marketed towards people like you. as much as i wanted to enjoy myself, i am just not in the demographic that this show was created for. i have high hopes for tarzan and lestat.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:01pm

I'm 50, so show is probably in my demographic.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:14pm

yes ken, you will probably love it. (if you haven't seen it already)

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 4:07pm

ddtruit, John Lloyd Young was there for the evening performance on Friday. After hearing these songs sung live, I realized just how difficult they are to sing. I'm sorry he wasn't there for the matinee. I was really bummed.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 4:21pm

i had the privelige of seeing both John Lloyd Young and his understudy Dominic Nolte in the role of Frankie Valli. John was much better vocally (Dominic had no upper register) but I still disliked the show as a whole regardless of who went on as the leading role.

[LuvBroadwayHugs]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 4:47pm

I'm younger than most of you, not to draw attention to myself, but I was raised on the music of the Four Seasons .It was sort of like coming home for me. If that makes any sense at all.

WithoutATrace, I hate to correct you, but it's Dominic Nolfi. I went to his first show and fell for the kid. Granted his voice doesn't carry as well, I think he did a good job.We're going to be married. Well. He hasn't been notified of this yet...

Updated On: 11/28/05 at 04:47 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 4:57pm

i stand corrected...my playbill (and understudy insert) are on the shelf at home.

i was pretty close though!
Updated On: 11/28/05 at 04:57 PM

[LuvBroadwayHugs]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 4:59pm

Not a problemo! Considering it was from memory, I'm surely impressed!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 5:07pm

i think it sounds pretty good, but there are a lot of shows i rather see than that
...but i reccomended it to my parents! :)

[LuvBroadwayHugs]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 5:10pm

Nolfi's first show was The 11th, just for reference!

[Luscious]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 6:04pm

From everything I've seen and read, it appears to be more suited to a Vagas stage and audience. Despite the reviews, I have no desire whatsoever to see this show. Let the Wayne Newton crowd fight for tickets.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 6:39pm

That's exactly what I thought upon seeing this show (Vegas). The audience seemed to love it, but I sat there totally underwhelmed.

[irene2]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 7:21pm

In response to the Luscious post:

.... "From everything I've seen and read, it appears to be more suited to a Vagas stage and audience. Despite the reviews, I have no desire whatsoever to see this show. Let the Wayne Newton crowd fight for tickets." ....

For what it is worth, I loved the show (I am in my 40s), as did all the friends I enthusiastically told to go see it. Many of these were people in their low to mid-30s, and some of them saw it more than once.

As far as the "Wayne Newton crowd," reference, what are you talking about? I personally don’t know a soul (including those in their 40s and 50s) who likes Wayne Newton. Even my parents (both are still alive) dont like Wayne Newton... Inapplicable stereotyping is really uncalled for here. "Baby boomer crowd" I would accept (proudly), Wayne Newton crowd, never!

Updated On: 11/28/05 at 07:21 PM

[LuvBroadwayHugs]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 7:46pm

Couldn't have put it better myself, dd. Nice work

[Luscious]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 8:01pm

"As far as the "Wayne Newton crowd," reference, what are you talking about?"

Lots of Polyester, Jogging Suits, Aqua Net, and Aqua Velva. I'm sure the bridge and tunnel crowd will keep it running for years. Enjoy!

[dented146]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 1:51am

dd, I'm with you on this. Been following this show since seeing it in San Diego about a year ago. Actually, Luscious I'm inclined to believe JB would be fine at any local. Notwithstanding the success of the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego isn't exactly a theatre going town and JB was sold out well over a year. I know a number a people who couldn't even get into the Playhouse the last few weeks.

Hey, I'm older than wickedfan2 so I can't speak for the younger crowd. I was never a Seasons fan but I remember walking out of the Playhouse last year and my first thought was " man if that goes to Broadway,look out!

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:31am

Wayne Newton?? nooooooooo..I loved the show and obviously Frankie Vali and the four seasons but never eva - Wayne.. Fyi - I like Santana, Usher, Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, Toby Keith and JAY-Z! hmppppppppf

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 10:27am

How long do you think before this show hits Vegas?

I say within the next year.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:51pm

I did see it and thought it was great. Going to see it again. Luckily it's the audience thats going to determine how the show does, and if a great majority of them loved it, guess what? Of course there will be some detractors, as there are for any show, including the wonderful Les Mis.