In 1954 the marque read "The Variatones" and included a 17-year-old billed as "Frankie Valley." The group had almost as many stage names as gigs, ending up as The Four Seasons (thank you Vivaldi) with a lead singer named Frankie Valli. They were headed by Tommy DeVito with Nick Massi soon adding another under-ager, Bob Gaudio, who composed most of their works thereafter. "jersey boys" (yes lower case), under the direction of Des McAnuff, is rockin' and rollin' at La Jolla Playhouse in its world premiere prior to its New York opening.
"Hot" does not come close to describing the production. The book is a no-holds-barred tale of a group of musicians who were not above breaking the law to survive. Bob Gaudio's music and Bob Crewe's lyrics absolutely rock. Des McAnuff's direction, backed by a fine choreographer, Sertio Trujillo, and master music director Ron Melrose, bring to the stage a perfect balance of story and music. Through action as well as narrative bridges, the story of the Four Seasons is told by Tommy DeVito, Frankie Valli, and Bob Gaudio.
David Norona is brilliant as Valli, a true triple-threat -- actor, singer, and dancer. Displaying equal power and command of the stage are the other members of the Four Seasons: Christian Hoff as leader Tommy DeVito, J. Robert Spencer as Nick Massi, and Daniel Reichard as song-smith/singer Bob Gaudio. It's as if we're eavesdropping on the four between their gigs, seeing their good sides and much of the bad that moved the group through the career. We see their successes, their dismal failures, their eventual breakup, and their reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The supporting cast, with multiple roles to fill, are excellent. Klara Zieglerova has designed a set of chainlink fences, which quickly transforms into three projection screens filled with pop art enhancing the plot, then into various neon marques, to stages both to the audience and backstage, and so much more. She has used the vast technology of theater to provide a virtually seamless transition from one time/one scene to the next. The eight member orchestra adds the necessary depth to all the production numbers.
Jersey boys is Broadway-ready today with one extremely minor exception. The opening of Act II is a serious, crucial scene that needs a bit of work; it just doesn't play convincingly and needs rewriting and tightening.
Otherwise, we can reminisce while listening to "Who Loves You," "Rag Doll," "Fallen Angel," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," and "Bye Bye Baby," just to mention a few of their favorites. jersey boys is a hot ticket, so don't miss a chance to enjoy it in the intimacy of a small theater, rather then having to head to New York. It is the best musical of the season and one of the best productions I've seen all year. Let's rock!
