Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Walk Like the Band:"Jersey Boys" strikes all the right poses
Posted by Chris Davis on Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Let's speak truth here. Before Jersey Boys came along if you stumbled across a bunch of palookas shooting pool in a sports pub you could bet the Devil your head they weren't talking about their favorite Broadway musical. Then along comes this show about Franky Valli and the Four Seasons, four mooks from the tough side of town who struggle and yearn and harmonize their asses off all the way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Badda-bing, badda-boom everything changes over night.
So what makes Jersey Boys such a hit with the boys who hate musicals? Maybe it's got something to do with the absence of show tunes. On the other hand, if you like Mid-Century American pop it's hard not to be taken in by spot on covers of Four Seasons hits like “Big Girls Don't Cry” and “Walk Like a Man” or by the uncanny replication of The Angels singing “My Boyfriend's Back” like it was 1963 all over again. Mix all that solid gold bubblegum with a compelling story about bad ass gangsters, fast girls, amazing cars and bowling and you've got the recipe for Jersey Boys. The cherry on top of this big banana split: Joe Pesci—yes THAT Joe Pesci— emerges as a pivotal character. What's not to love?
Physically and vocally Joseph Leo Bwarie is a dead ringer for Valli and he's given incredible support by Matt Bailey, Steve Gouveia, and Ryan Jesse who are equally convincing as Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio. Sarah Darling, Denise Payne, and Kara Tremel work overtime playing a variety of mothers, wives, b-girls, and entertainers. Although the Jersey Boys get all the glory these three women play over 50 characters and are, along with the rest of a tight ensemble, the show's secret stars.
Anybody who's ever watched an episode of VH-1's Behind the Music knows that the good times never last. You can take the boys out of Jersey but you can't take the Jersey out of the boys. With the exception of Bob Gaudio, the group's straightest arrow, they are are all haunted to some degree by their troubled pasts. The boys party hard and between Tommy's gambling problems and Frankie's family issues things begin to fall apart. By the time the show rounds the comeback corner it has become incredibly predictable. But by then Bwarie is laying down such a completely credible version of “Can't Take My Eyes Off of You” that predictability hardly matters.
Jersey Boys has its priorities right. The songs are perfect, the acting is solid and the story is well told. Only the set—a minimal creation as Broadway musicals go and extremely functional— can be described as a miserable failure. Bright Roy Lichtenstein-inspired projections bring warm and welcome colors to a lean industrial-feeling environment. But Pop Art is too self-conscious and the campy images work hard to undermine a show that's as sincere and straight up as a Bon Jovi fan from back in the day.
The best things about Jersey Boys can be summed up in the play's closing moments when Gaudio talks about life after The Four Seasons. “Today everything is different; there's no action,” He says complacently looking out over the audience. “I'm an average nobody. Get to live the rest of my life like a schnook.”
Wait a second. That's not Gaudio's line. I'm sorry, those are Henry Hill's closing words from Goodfellas. Sometimes get the two shows confused. There are a few similarities. Did I mention Joe Pesci?
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Those of us who have seen "Jersey Boys" (I am up to my 14th time) know that this is an amazing show. I have been to over 125 shows in my lifetime and have never come out with such an adrenalin rush. This is definitely the best tour casting of any show. I have seen the tour group 11 times and each time has been fantastic. Guys, you will love this show. Do not miss your chance to join in the fun.
Hands down the best show out there. I've seen it twice in Detroit and wish I could see every show on the National Tour. Joseph Leo Bwarie is more than amazing. Matt Bailey is no joke either, excellent singer and actor. And I actually preferred Ryan Jesse to Josh Franklin on the National Tour. And of course Steve Gouveia is great, he's a pro by now effortlessly. But even watching as many videos I could find on YouTube and the rest of the web, Bwarie is by far the best Valli with Jarrod Spector coming in second a little ways behind him. <3 Jersey Boys but <3 JLB more.
I saw this show in Toronto and it will make you want to come back and see it again, it will blow you and anyone with you away. I thought the sets were fantastic, the lighting the sound totally amazing!
Being a musician myself i grew up in the 60's and 70's and don't remember any bands ever able to cover The 4 Seasons songs it's to vocally challenging, these very talented
young people are acting, singing, playing real instruments, dancing you get the picture and it is a show that really connects with the audience.
An amazing story there story, don't miss this feel good show .
"Jersey Boys" is FANTASTIC! I've seen it in Chicago, DC (National Theater) and here in Memphis (twice.) The music is incredible; the story is interesting. I love it and am so happy to see the show in the beautiful Memphis treasure - the Orpheum!
I, too, grew up on the music of the Four Seasons. I expected to really enjoy the performance at the Orpheum in Memphis, but I was not prepared for the incredible talent of the cast. Oh, my goodness! Joseph Leo Bwarie, Matt Bailey, Steve Gouvia, and Ryan Jesse quite simply "wowed" me! I so dearly wish I had purchased the soundtrack of these artists as opposed to the 2005 Broadway production that can be found at Amazon. I even called the Orpheum, hoping the touring company had left some for after-performance sales, but I had not luck. I have searched the Internet. No luck. Does anyone have any ideas here? Thanks ~ marcia in mississippi
Marcia in Mississippi,
You need not feel like you missed anything. The CD for sale in the lobby of the tour locations is the 2005 Original Cast from Broadway.
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