Oh What a Night!! JERSEY BOYS Sparkle in DC
JERSEY BOYS is this season’s don’t miss, feel good, tap your feet, sing along musical in Washington, DC.
If opening night this past Sunday at the National Theatre was any indication of what these four guys from Jersey can deliver, the DC theatre audience can expect a rocking good time.
Jersey Boys - The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
As the 2006 Best Musical Tony Award® winner, JERSEY BOYS tells the story of how four rough and tumble teenagers from the wrong side of the New Jersey tracks, became one of the biggest pop singing groups in history – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
The show is part concert, part biography, part Vegas review.
The story tracks the personal recollections over the years of each of the original four band members – Frankie Valli (Joseph Leo Bwarie), Bob Gaudio (Josh Franklin), Tommy DeVito (Matt Bailey), and Nick Massi (Steve Gouveia).
While their recollections don’t always match up, we get a glimpse inside the egos, the struggles, the endless nights on the road resulting in strained family lives, and ultimately betrayal that almost crushes the group. From their humble beginnings in New Jersey as a singing group that changes their name faster than they change their outfits.
Forced to play small lounges and neighborhood bowling alleys in suburbia until they recruit a new member, songwriter Bob Gaudio who wrote hit after hit specifically for Valli. The result was they set the pop singing world on fire by selling over 175 million records worldwide while filling huge auditoriums.
During the 1960s and 70s, the Seasons kept on the top of the charts successfully fighting off the British rock invasion, and the hippy and drug counter-culture. Throughout huge changes in pop music, the Four Seasons remain relevant for over 4 decades later.
But in the end, Valli’s exciting comeback helps leads the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Joseph Leo Bwarie effectively recreates the role, and more importantly the voice, of falsetto crooner Frankie Valli. He was magical to listen as he delivered hit song after hit song, with every note perfectly sung over the course of his 20-plus numbers. As his role evolves from a kid with no direction and without a singing signature to a recognized pop superstar, Bwarie portrayed a roller coaster of emotions, as Valli achieved stardom while never forgetting his his link to the old neighborhood and his undying loyalty to his friend, regardless of how he damages the group’s chance of success.
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Having seen Frankie Valli in concert in his prime, I can attest that Bwarie hit on all cylinders. Close your eyes and technically he recreates the power and sound of multi-octave Valli’s voice without flaw. Open your eyes and he captures the moves, style and on-stage persona that transport you back to the days of the original recordings.
Using arrangements that mirror the group’s original hits helps deliver an added retro-punch. Audience members were noticeably smiling and lip singing to song after song. At the end of every big number, the applause went on and on, appearing to even embarrass the actors.
Jersey Boys - In the Recording Studio.
The other group members, effectively recreate the sound and harmonies of the original Four Seasons. The group’s breakout was led by Bob Gaudio, played by Josh Franklin, the genius hit song writing member of the group. the group focused on their working-class roots and on their core audience, the everyday Joe and Jane.
Matt Bailey, as Tommy DeVito, plays the group’s bad boy and leads the story of the original forming of the band, its struggles and break-out during much of the first act. He’s a likeable guy, part Jersey low-life, part lovable hustler that sets the stage for the rest of the story.
Lastly Steve Gouveia, as Nick Massi, the quiet bassist, rounds out the foursome. His role is like his bass, more of a supporting member, until his emotional and somewhat hysterical momentary meltdown mid-tour.
Of the 30+ musical numbers, classics such as “Rag Doll,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” and “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)” make up only a quarter of the hits sung. Two of the more poignant numbers were “My Eyes Adored You” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”
The Jersey Boys script is sassy, smart, fast-paced and funny, yet at times reflects the hardships and losses experienced as the band members go through the trials and tribulations of stardom. The language is honest (meaning rough), reflecting their gritty bad-boy suburban Jersey upbringing, so parents beware.
The ensemble cast plays multiple rolls effectively, with lots of costume and wig changes and tons of energy.
It seemed the reserved Washington, DC audience wanted to jump to it’s feet during several of the big numbers, and they finally did during the show’s finale.
Big songs, big voices, a great story and tons of fun… who knew four guys from Jersey had so much to offer?
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC ()
202-783-3372
Dates and Times – October 1 – December 12, 2009. Performance times (with some exceptions):
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 7:30 p.m.
- Fridays – 8:00 p.m.
- Saturdays – 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
- Sundays – 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Tickets – $51.50- $201.50 and are available or by phone at 800-447-7400.
Nearest Subway Station – Metro Center – Blue, Orange or Red lines, or Federal Triangle – Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk, or use the bus.
Parking – Paid garage and limited metered street parking is available.
Image – Courtesy of JERSEY BOYS – Finale – (l to r) Josh Franklin, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Matt Bailey, Steve Gouveia and the Company of JERSEY BOYS, Recording Studio – (l to r) Steve Gouveia, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Josh Franklin and Matt Bailey. Photos by Joan Marcus
Tags: The Arts
1 Comment
I’ve seen the show twice – once in Seattle (a traveling company) and once in Las Vegas (house show). Both times I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was part theater, part concert, and totally a fun time.