Jerseyboyslover. thanks for posting the clip, I missed the segement yesterday.
There are a bunch of articles posted on the jerseyboysblog about the Sherry cast. There's a great feature on Deven. An interview with Erich, but Lizzie posted a link earlier, and an article saying how Jersey Boys is invading Beach Boy territory. Jerseyboysblog
The Chicago Company is much better compared to the last time I saw them and on my 8th show so far :P
It still never fails to amaze me and touch my heart specially that segment when Francine argues with his dad and eventually the death part....
maybe partly due to my estranged relationship with my dad also.
The matinee show was energy packed and with 3 Understudies and 1 Swing performing. It was very unique and it's those actor changes that keeps me going back for more to see a different perspective.
Ryan Quinn West played the role of Bob Gaudio. Jake Speck played the roles usually played by Wade McCollum. John Hickman played the roles usually played by Ryan Quinn West.
Today's matinee is my 8th show and so far, I have seen 6 Performances by the Sherry Company and 2 performances by the Chicago Company.
Jarrod Spector is still heavenly to listen to and he packs a dynamite of a voice and a big talent to go with it! He is really getting very comfortable into his role as Frankie Valli and it gets more intense every time I see it.
Jeremy Kushiner as Danny DeVito also gets better as time go by and it sounded more natural this time around and the lines go by very smoothly and powerfully on parts that needed emphasis like when he is arguing with Frankie.
Steve Gouveia is also very good as Nick Massi from his years of experience starting from the JB incarnation in La Jolla up to his Broadway Casting in the Original company up to his recent involvement with this Chicago Company.
I clearly heard his parts today and he looks very warm for the part just like a good friend/man's man because he looks an all-round good guy that you can count on.
He actually looked like a co-worker of mine at one point!
For the treat of the night....it was the combined talents of Ryan Quinn West, Jarrod Spector, John Hickman and Jake Speck as the New Four Seasons that resonated as the sexiest foursome of the 4 Seasons incarnation so far! :P
Ryan Quinn West played the part of Bob Gaudio that is normally played by Drew Gehling and he brought justice to the role because of his magnetic personality and amazingly controlled voice that showed a different dimension to Bob Gaudio. He still strains in some of the high notes but in the end he delivered.
Jake Speck as Norm Waxman and Others was also interesting to watch and listen to because he also got a powerful voice that you can appreciate as part of the Varietones :P
Saw the show last light for the third time with the new cast and Ryan did a great job, especially on "Cry For Me". Jeremy just gets better and better and really rocks on the guitar with Steve during Dawn. Jarrod is now building up to the climax on "You're Just To Good To Be True" and belting it out nicely. Well done guys!
So tonight is the night. Can't wait to read their LA reviews, hopefully they're released faster then in the Bay Area, and cast blog updates. And hopefully more people who have seen the show in LA find this thread and start posting in it so we can hear more fan accounts of the show. It's obviously very Bay Area heavy in here.
Sounds like it was a great night. Celebrities all over the place, great reaction from the audience, and they actually got to eat their opening night cake. Love the pic he posted of the boys made out of apples and bananas.
And from the end of his blog is sounds like casting for Toronto and London will be happening, when they're done with the work for Vegas.
Jarrod was a perfect fit for the Frankie role. After watching him with the tour casts I and II, he looked like his comfort level was always high, and when he was picked to lead the second tour, he stepped up into his new full time lead role without a hitch. Chris, John Lloyd Young, and their alternates/understudies are the best leads for the part!
Jeremy is just as funny as Deven, but puts a "Rodney Dangerfield" twist into his character, but shines as Tommy DeVito. I think that he's totally deserving of the many acting awards he's won in the past!
Drew was an excellent choice as Bob, because his appearance and voice matched well with Erich's and the real Mr. Gaudio. Extremely talented! Just as friendly at the stage door too!
What can we say about Steve Gouveia? Ultimate professional and since he's been with Jersey Boys from the start, I believe he definitely is a true asset to the play. His portrayal of Nick was spot on, and both he and Michael Ingersoll really do an excellent tribute to Nick's memory.
With the amount of times I've seen Jersey Boys in SF, I have yet to see Jarrod on as Frankie. When he was with the Sherry Co. he performed on days I had class. And the last two times I've seen the current cast something always happens so that I can't see him perform. The first was when they just started and he became ill so John Michael Dias was on. The second time was Memorial day weekend, was planning to go on the Saturday but something came up last minute and had to see the show Sunday. Hopefully the third time will be the charm I can finally catch Jarrod because everyone always has good things to say about his performance.