Jersey Boys - my review- Page 2

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 12:56pm

the first 30 minutes of the show (before they sing Sherry) are such a bore.

for all of you who love the show, why do you think the book is so great? it didn't hold my interest at all.

Les Mis is brilliant...it can't even be compared to Jersey Boys.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 1:46pm

I have been putting off seeing this show. Maybe I'll go soon. Is the rush general, or only for students?

[ken8631]

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

Some people don't like Les Mis either - it's all in peoples tastes. I loved them both (Les Mis my all time favorite though). I din't like Women in White (VERY boring), but many people do! To each their own!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:07pm

mef, i believe it is student rush. (i had to show my student id when i went on friday)

ken, i am one of those people who LOVED The Woman in White. you're right. it's all in people's tastes. i'm just glad there is something out there for everyone to enjoy.

[mpw607]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 3:11pm

Hope the talk of London comes to fruition. Cameron MacKintosh saw the show on 12 November..........

[Luscious]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 4:15pm

"And the audience, for the most part, while made up of many people from Jersey, as it is a pricey ticket, they are, more upscale than you say."

Upscale does not automatically equal Classy or Tasteful. I know a lot of "Jersey" and "Vegas" types with loads of cash, and they're as tacky as the day is long. Check out the Sopranos some time. It's a pretty accurate representation of a certain group of people. And don't get on my case about being prejudice. I'm 100% Italian, and proud of it! I just know "tacky" when I see it.

Updated On: 11/29/05 at 04:15 PM

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 4:17pm

WithoutATrace: I'm just the opposite of you, I HATED WIW and LOVED Jersey Boys.

You asked about the book. It's a classic rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches story. Maybe because you're young, you cannot relate to the eternal struggle of career v family and the realization that, no matter how much you try, you can't have it all. Each of the four boy's stories is compelling in its own way, how they came to be in the group, how each of them contributed to the success of the group, and why each of them eventually left. I won't spoil it, but there are moments that are truly heartbreaking when you hear the personal sacrifices that were made in the name of achieving 'fame and fortune'.

On the other hand, WIW was, for me, a crashing bore. I lost interest somewhere during the first act, and by the second act, I was thinking more about where to have dinner than what was happening on stage. The songs in WIW are truly dreadful, ALW's signature 4 notes repeated over and over and over until your brain turns to mush. I've seen Jersey Boys four times and will probably see it four more but I would never waste my time or money on another ALW show.

[irene2]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 6:40pm

Jersey Boys appeals to a diverse group. Keep in mind Jersey Boys played to sellout crowds and an extended season in La Jolla before ever going to Broadway. I don’t know if you have ever been to San Diego or La Jolla proper, but if any place is not Jersey, I must assume San Diego is it. (I couldn’t say for sure, as I have never been to New Jersey.) My point is, this show appeals to all types, not just the Italian or Jersey crowd.

On another point, I don’t understand why several people, including a few critics, feel the show drags in the beginning and doesn’t really get going until they sing Sherry. I found the show interesting from beginning to end. I also felt the show had energy the whole way through (admittedly a little less so at the very start..)

[LuvBroadwayHugs]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 6:50pm

Okay, once again, I stand proudly and say I am the youngest person posting in this thread, so I speak for the "young crowd" when I say that the show IS appealing to a diverse group, as irene2 said.

I believe the book is appealing to different people because of the history and the evidence of the "American Dream", if you will. Who doesn't dream of coming from no where and ending up with some of the biggest hits of all time?

I am not from New Jersey, nor do I ever plan to live there and I still found this show incredibly enjoyable. I thought the energy the cast gave off made the experience. They never lost that energy which made everyone enjoy it more.

To be completely honest, I had doubts about this show. I was afraid it was going to be another one of those "jukebox musicals" as they have been rolling out.

I am in no way, advocating that everyone needs to love the show, I just think it deserves a fair chance. :)

[Craig]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:44pm

Re: Jersey Boys' book...

What makes it even more successful (for me personally) is that even after seeing the show, I wanted to know MORE. That doesn't mean they didn't have enough meat there - and in 2.5 hours you can't cover decades, but it told the story it needed to tell and was engaging.

I've seen plenty of bio musicals/jukebox musicals that didn't prompt that kind of reaction in me. Fact is - they were 4 very unique and interesting people - each with their own story before during and after the fame. And it was, for the most part - and untold story until now....

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 10:04pm

thank you Hushpuppy and Craig for your insights about the book. i'm glad that you enjoyed the show, and frankly i'm sorry that i did not enjoy it. i gave it a second chance and went in with a very positive attitude, but alas it still fell flat for me. i'm glad people can get pleasure from seeing this show though and i'm sure it will have a long and healthy run on broadway.

[BOYFROMOZ]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 9:35pm

I saw it once during previews and once after it opened. The best show on broadway is definitley a true statment for this show. The audience, not offense, is a little annying because of the connection of the songs. I am 14 and I loved it so much. Hope it runs for more years to come. I hear they signed for two more years (the theater!)