A typical touring show arrives in town long after media hype machines have pelted potential theatergoers with an almost nonstop barrage of adjectives and sound bites that try to convince anyone and everyone that this production is the best slice of live entertainment that's ever been staged. Few live up to such lofty expectations, of course, and as a result, the ticket-buying public has been trained to greet such messages with a healthy dose of skepticism.
So for the past several weeks – or has it been months? – anticipation has been building for the arrival of the long-awaited Tony Award-winning musical "Jersey Boys," which opened recently at Detroit's Fisher Theatre. The show has generated more "buzz" around town than pretty much anything else – except a certain ex-mayor's ongoing legal woes, that is. And as such, the question I asked myself while waiting for the opening night performance to begin was this: Just how hyped up was the hype?
The answer became clear after the first few bars of "Sherry" electrified the audience: "Jersey Boys," the last show to be reviewed in 2009, is simply and honestly the best and most satisfying show of the year – bar none!
"Jersey Boys" stands far and above earlier attempts at stringing together unrelated songs to tell a (usually lame) story. Rather, writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice use the group's tunes to help chronicle the rise, fall and ultimate place in history of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
The plot unfolds over the course of four "seasons," each narrated by a different member of the group. ("You ask four guys, you get four different answers," founding group leader Tommy DeVito says at the opening of the show.) Spring, for example, reveals the boys' early life in New Jersey as recalled by DeVito, while Bob Gaudio walks us through summer and their upward climb in the early 1960s to fame and million-selling hit records. It's a "warts-and-all" tale that feels akin to a musical documentary, shedding equal light on youthful indiscretions and mob connections as it does their popular hits and life-long handshake deals.
Upon entering the theater, the physical production looks deceptively simple. Played upon a mostly barren industrial park-like stage, scenic designer Klara Zieglerova and projection designer Michael Clark have teamed to create a whirlwind of set pieces and dazzling electronics that fly, slide and drop silently into and out of place quickly and efficiently as needed. Colorful Roy Lichtenstein-influenced pop art graphics define the time period, while Howell Binkley's lighting design keeps all eyes focused on the action. (Some scene changes occur as if by magic.)
But it's the performers and musicians who are the true stars of the show.
As The Four Seasons, Joseph Leo Bwarie (Valli), Matt Bailey (DeVito), Josh Franklin (Gaudio) and Steve Gouveia (Nick Massi) are all excellent storytellers who create interesting and unique personalities – without resorting to impersonations. But more importantly, they consistently deliver superb harmonies. One of their many showstoppers is the act one trilogy of beloved favorites "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Walk Like a Man," while Bwarie's act two solo, "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," is stunningly poignant – made more so by director Des McAnuff's powerful staging.
The dozen or so supporting cast members are also uniformly top-notch. Detroiter Eric Gutman steps in and out of multiple roles with ease – and plays a mean set of drums in at least a couple of numbers. Courter Simmons adds comic relief as Joe Pesci – yes, THAT Joe Pesci, whose connection to the group will remain undisclosed here. And Jonathan Hadley makes quite an impression as producer Bob Crewe.
So when making your list and checking it twice this holiday season, here's my suggestion: You won't go wrong with a pair of tickets to "Jersey Boys" as stocking stuffers for family and friends – both naughty and nice alike!
REVIEW:
'Jersey Boys'
Broadway in Detroit, Fisher Theatre, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit. Through Jan. 23, 2010. Tickets begin at $34 (inclusive of parking & facility fees). 313-872-1000. http://www.broadwayindetroit.com
