Dawn (Go Away). Back in my day the Four Seasons were still topping the charts. Big Girls Don’t Cry. And along with my Beatles and Stones albums, I had a copy of the Four Seasons Greatest Hits. I probably got it from the Columbia House record club. Rag Doll. And I sang along with most all of them and I could hit all of Frankie’s hi notes then. Sherry. Sadly about ten years ago I lost most all of my falsetto skills. C’mon Marianne. So I wasn’t singing along Tuesday night while attending Jersey Boys at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. But I was wondering what hit song was going to be my ear worm accompaniment the next day.
This is a touring Broadway style production working with a simple set design overall. Basically a two story scaffolding with stairs on either side, sitting mid-stage to back-wall. Some action takes place on the second tier and many exits and entries occur there. On the other hand, this production is the land of a thousand set pieces as tables, chairs, desks, faux car interiors, concert stages, couches, and any other prop piece necessary for the story is wheeled in and out by the cast. I am in awe of the stage manager who is keeping this all straight and appearing on cue.
And there is a working band back stage supporting all of the hit songs you are eagerly awaiting. A marvelous little band, later augmented by a stellar brass and reed section in Act 2. I hope the drummer is getting a mileage bonus for the number of times the drum riser was pulled out front and then returned to the back wall or angled sideways or completely reversed. I would have gotten dizzy if I had to share the ride with him.
Jersey Boys is subtitled The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. So unlike many popular musicals with a book and story that is work a of fictional theater, this plays out a bit like a documentary interrupted by hit tunes. I am sure that the book here has stretched some events for dramatic effect and omitted others, but the story from Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice plays true to form. And if you want to see what the pre-Springsteen New Jersey music scene might have felt like, here’s your chance. There are thirteen actors here, and many of them play multiple roles and if my counting can be trusted, thirty four songs. The show runs 2 hours and 30 minutes including one intermission.
Of course, Frankie Valli was the front man and distinctive voice of the Four Seasons. So the actor playing Valli here is going to be under intense scrutiny from the audience. And this company has found the right actor in Coby Oram. If you close your eyes for just a moment when Coby is taking his lead parts soaring, you can almost feel that Valli is in the house. Oram is particularly sharp on those critical high falsettos and then elsewhere when he is in full throated lead sections. Harry Sperduto plays Tommy DeVito, the man who put the band together and brought on the voices and talents that put the Four Seasons on top. Sperduto pulls off the somewhat smarmy band leader who can’t quite be trusted with money and causes the band any number of issues over the years. But Sperduto also exemplifies the smugness and self assuredness that got the band rolling in the first place. Owen McCredie is a tall drink of water with that deep deep bass voice that is perfect for Nick Massi. McCredie also maintains the even keeled and very playful personality written into Massi’s part. And Massi keeps threatening to start his own band, so if McCredie decides to do that, I am all in.
And if you were one of the music nerds who read and memorized everything on the record labels and album covers, the names Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe will be very very familiar to you. Peyton Schoenhofer plays Gaudio who is responsible for writing many many of the hit songs for the Four Seasons. Schoenhofer’s Gaudio is a level headed, straight shooter, business minded, and visionary individual. His friendship with Valli is really a lynch pin in their success. I don’t know what the real Bob Crewe was like, but Andrew Sattler’s take is a loose and easy personality with a bit of a new-agey bent…like what’s your sign? A direct opposite of the rather edgy New Jersey Italian boys he is working with.
We get to see all of the issues with building a successful musical act and touring and family pressures and fall outs between friends and reunions and some outside seedy influences. But eventually we come out on top with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and some sincere acceptance speeches. So, Working My Way Back To You Babe.
And if Tommy gets tired of that candy apple red Fender Telecaster, I can give it a good home.
Jersey Boys continues from now through October 25th, 2026 in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.
More Information Here and Ticket Information Here.
