Where does one begin with the massive hit musical that is Jersey Boys? Now showing at the QPAC this internationally renowned show is one that simply must be seen. Whether you only know the well-known Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, made all the more memorable via Heath Ledger’s performance in 10 Things I Hate About You, you are guaranteed to have a blast of a time watching this absolute rollercoaster ride of a musical that shows the coming together of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Directed by Des McAnuff and based on the book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice the story of Jersey Boys is as good as gold and delivers on all fronts. Choreography by Sergio Trujillo gives a genuine energy to the quartet with each of the men dancing in sync with simple and subtle grooves whilst performing each of their songs. Costume Designer Jess Goldstein brings out the many layers to the Jersey Boys and perfectly encapsulates the era of the 1960’s whilst also applying various looks that ultimately transition to the classic red suits seen in posters advertising the Jersey Boys.
Casting for the show was covered by Lynne Ruthven Casting and it was spot on. Making up The Four Seasons was Ryan Gonzalez as Frankie Valli, Cameron MacDonald as Tommy DeVito, Thomas McGuane as Bob Gaudio and Glaston Toft as Nick Massi. Together these men showed the audience four different versions of the same story. On opening night, Ryan Gonzalez was flawless when playing Frankie Valli, not only in regards to his pitch when he sang but also the way he narrated his story and guided the audience along. It doesn’t take a lot to follow, and be moved by, these separate but intertwined stories of four very different flavoured performers that ultimately make up The Four Seasons.
Whilst Ryan Gonzalez provides the group with the highest vocal range, that’s not to say the other members in the band aren’t as colourful. This brings me to Cameron MacDonald who plays Tommy DeVito and it was like he was born to play this role, or perhaps he lets us believe so, because he does a very convincing job of portraying DeVito, warts and all. From the way he moves to his facial expressions and the way he enunciates words through his blatant Italian accent it is clear to see that MacDonald is a natural when it comes to being in the spotlight.
Jersey Boys does a good job of bringing each and every one of the band members of The Four Seasons to the spotlight. It isn’t solely about Frankie Valli’s rise to success, but there are plenty of aspects within the story that touch on this. It’s about Thomas McGuane’s Bob Gaudio providing the lyrics and the music to amplify Valli’s voice, it’s about Glaston Toft’s Nick Massi and his own journey with the band and the constant underlying question, will Massi ever start another group like he keeps saying he will do?
As Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons rise towards fame and stardom, problems arise at home for Valli, a side deal between Valli and Gaudio even crops up adding to the tension of the group dynamic. Whilst further dramas ensue between the band members and their personal lives, DeVito’s debt piles up whilst the other Jersey Boys remain oblivious. There are plenty of dynamics at play between the band members and the perspective of the women in their lives is not forgotten. When The Four Seasons reach a peak moment of popularity, era-specific cameras are brought out and a screen with black and white footage is seen to compliment the upbeat, live performance as part of the story. Each time the set of four microphones slide onto the stage and the boys start grooving to the music, you know you’re in for a good number, even if you haven’t heard of it before.
Each and every part of the Jersey Boys is filled with heart, humour and a whole lot of groove. It’s an unmissable show with fantastic lighting, choreography, direction, music, costumes and production and stage design. Each and every element combines to create a very watchable and very entertaining show. Catch this show while you can, and spend each moment watching and breathing in this musical that’s simply full of life.
Featured in the performance are a great number of hits including My Mother’s Eyes, Cry For Me, Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What A Night), Beggin, Bye Bye Baby, Working My Way Back To You and Who Loves You.
Now playing until 17th Feb
Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Joanna Letic