“Jersey” Comes to Meadville

Jersey Boys

at 

The Academy Theatre

Most musical’s songs are created to express and move along action within a show. However, “Jersey Boys” presents something unique: The songs in this 2004 “jukebox musical” were originally performed by The Four Seasons during the 1960’s—and assists in telling their story today.

Currently at Meadville’s Academy Theatre, “Jersey Boys” is the story of The Four Seasons (Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi), whose numerous hits include “Sherry,”  Big Girls Don’t Cry,” Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn (Go Away),” “Rag Doll” and many others, helped to serve as the Baby Boomers soundtrack of their lives.

 With the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, the two-act 33-song production initially relates the hardscrabble story of four teens trying to make it in the music business during the late 1950’s-early 1960’s. Audiences watch their rise from barely beyond street corner singers to the top of the music charts to personal shortcomings and tragedies to their eventual induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Musical wannabe Tommy (Nathan Irwin) finds a young golden-throated Frankie (Carson Jones) adds Nick (Robbie Brown) and latecomer Bob (Daniel Megaffin), who knows how to craft hit songs, to form the quartet. 

Now, if only they can get them played on the radio.

When success does strike, some members lives eventually take a downturn with marital woes, a family member’s untimely death, troubles with the Mob, and finally some group members just wanting to step away from it all.

Directed by Ted Watts Jr and live music directed by Devon Yates, “Jersey Boys” breaks the fourth wall and does the unusual with the show by being narrated at different times by each member of the group, each telling their side of the story, rather than just lead singer Frankie Valli, as one might expect. 

An enthusiastic ensemble cast helped to entertain the enthusiastic audience when I saw the show. Irwin’s portrayal Tommy, whose scheming and masterminding moved the group to success, gives us a slice of a real-life “character” who’s not willing to accept defeat; meanwhile Megaffin’s song man Gaudio shows us someone who cares more about his music than the money. 

While “Jersey Boys” is about all The Four Seasons, Jones’s Valli is the yardstick from which to measure the show. Jones has an honest likability as his Valli turns from an inexperienced teen crooner to a seasoned singer over the decades—meanwhile his  behind-the-scenes life witnesses its ups and downs. Most importantly, Jones has the chops to handle the singing, which at times, closely resembles Valli’s. 

So “Walk Like a Man” and ask “Sherry” to go see “Jersey Boys” with you. You’ll be the “Big Man in Town!”

***Daphne Beaumont

(Warning: “Jersey Boys contains language inappropriate for children. Parental discretion is advised.)

Jersey Boys continues through August 4. For more information visit www.TheAcademyTheatre.org

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