After waiting about four months for our tickets to ripen, we finally went to see Jersey Boys last week. It was well worth the wait, although it’s a long time to stand in line on the sidewalk. Just kidding – “ we actually waited at home.
Okay, so if I said it was the worst Broadway show I’ve ever seen, I wouldn’t be lying, just as I wouldn’t be lying if I told you it was the best I’ve ever seen. That’s right, it took me just a few years short of entering my dotage to see a Broadway play, even though I’ve spent a good part of my life within a couple of hours of New York City. Oh, I’ve seen plays and such, but not any of the official Broadway fare that the ultra-cultured always coo over. And I’ve seen the movie remakes of various shows, such as My Fair Lady, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, and many others. My point, however, is not to emphasize my lack of culture, but to inform you that I’m quite a few credentials short of advertising my services as an actual critic.
In 1962, Sherry, by The Four Seasons, hit the airwaves with a big splash, occupying the number one spot for five weeks during the summer. By the end of the summer, the group’s name became familiar to anyone attuned to pop music, and everyone soon knew Frankie Valli as the lead singer’s name. Many hit records followed, some by The Four Seasons, some solo by Frankie Valli, and, later, by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Jersey Boys chronicles much of this, makes it understandable, and reveals much of what most people never knew about the rise through fame of the group and its members.
By itself, the story holds enough substance to stand on its own, but the live musical performances make the audience almost think they’re listening to the original group performing the numbers. Matthew Scott substituted for John Lloyd Young for the role of Valli, and sounded remarkably like Valli, reaching the falsetto notes with ease.
The other members of the group, including the musicians, rendered the music of The Four Seasons very true to form.
It makes little sense for me to comment on the acting – remember, I’m not a critic – but I enjoyed the performance immensely.
Although I, and any listener familiar with the music of Valli and his group easily picked up subtle differences from the original hits, it only required closing my eyes and letting my mind wander to take me back to summers on the boardwalk before so many things got so crazy.
Yes, it’s the number one hit on Broadway! Yes, go see it!