Show: Jersey Boys
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Date: Thursday January 27 2022
Times: 19.30
Running Time: 160 Minutes (incl. Interval)
Age Rating: 16+
Performers: Luke Suri, Norton James, Dalton Wood, Blair Gibson, George Salmon & Tom O’Brien
Production Company: Dodgers
Writers: Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice
Director: Des McAnuff
This is our theatre review for Jersey Boys at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Jersey Boys!
Jersey Boys
Description Of Jersey Boys
Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in Jersey Boys. They begin as just four guys from New Jersey until they sing their very first note. Jersey Boys have a sound that is all-new and one that the radio just can’t get enough of. But while their harmonies are perfect on-stage, off-stage it’s a very different story. However, it’s a story that would make them an international sensation all over again.
From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s too good to be true. Why? Well, the show has all of their hits, including Beggin’, Walk Like A Man and December 1963 (Oh What a Night). Also, there’s Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You and Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got). Not forgetting Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You and Fallen Angel. Oh, and there’s Rag Doll and Who Loves You? to round off the exceptional soundtrack for this exceptional production.
Story
We meet each of the band members one by one. So, Tommy DeVito (Dalton Wood) is the man that builds the group up from initial obscurity. Then, there’s Nick Massi (Norton James), a bass singer that adds a monotone pitch to the music. However, a crucial piece of the puzzle is Frankie Valli (Luke Suri); his unique vocals elevate the standard of the group. As time goes on, the threesome gets into criminal capers in between musical bookings. Furthermore, DeVito seems to instigate trouble everywhere he goes, plunging the group into an increasingly-concerning financial peril.
Yet their musical aspirations remain the core focus. And when Joey Pesci (George Salmon) introduces them to singer, songwriter and pianist Bob Gaudio (Blair Gibson), everything changes. Soon thereafter, Bob begins to write hits – not just “songs” – and the band takes off. However, the spectre of DeVito’s problems still looms large, threatening the futures of every member. And just when it seems like the journey is over, Valli and Gaudio make a decision that breathes new life into their careers. But amidst money laundering, martial struggles and other problems, can this rags-to-riches tale have a happy ending?
Analysis Of Jersey Boys
I’ve seen Jersey Boys several times before, and the show never gets old. If anything, this time I found the story more compelling as I knew what to expect. It’s fascinating to see how a couple of, well, Jersey Boys could achieve such enormous success. Especially when you consider the frightening situations that DeVito causes him and the band to face head-on. Had it not been for their musical talents, the foursome may not have survived each of their own personal woes.
It’s also a snapshot of how gritty and raw the journey of climbing the musical ranks can be. Far from an overnight success, these young men had to fight for every dollar that they earned. Especially Valli, the undisputed star of the band, yet the man that DeVito used and manipulated the most. So, when they do hit the big-time, their achievement is warranted. Yet that doesn’t remove their problems away from the stage. And that takes the show to another level; we see what life is like for musical stars when the lights go down. In comparison to their real-life worries, scandals and tragedies, singing and dancing feel like a breeze.
Singing
Let’s face it, though. Yes, the story is gripping, but the real reason that we love this show is because of the singing. And few shows can wow an audience based on vocal performances like this one. Indeed, the back catalogue of absolute belting tunes is as good as you will find for any production ever. And because of the unorthodox pitch of Frankie Valli, there is a bar that Luke Suri has to reach. Of course, because this is a high-calibre show, Suri is able to meet and arguably surpass expectations. The result: a truly unforgettable sequence of singing renditions that are of the highest possible quality.
Their first really big hit is Sherry, which leads into Big Girls Don’t Cry. These two performances alone bring the house down, with the audience noise levels reaching a fever pitch. Other great songs to look out for include Walk Like A Man and December 1963 (Oh What A Night). There are emotional tunes too, such as My Eyes Adored You and Fallen Angel. Yet we can’t look past classics like Beggin’, Stay, Let’s Hang On (To What We Got) and Bye Bye Baby. Furthermore, Working My Way Back To You, Ragdoll and Who Loves You? literally end the show on a high note. And of course, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You is amazing, with this song eliciting an incredibly long standing ovation.
Summary Of Jersey Boys
I have to say that, having seen this show twice, it didn’t have the impact that it did the first time. However, I still loved it from start to finish and put it amongst the absolute elite of theatre productions. Therefore, if you have never seen this production, I strongly urge you to do so asap. Simply put, this is one of the absolute best theatre shows around. Everyone with an interest in theatre and/or music should see this show. Impeccable.
Notes
Target Audience: Ages 16+
Content: Frequent Strong Language, Some Sexual Themes
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 10/10 – Perfect
Jersey Boys Further Links
So, Jersey Boys runs at the Empire Theatre until Saturday February 5 2022. And you can purchase tickets right now!
Jersey Boys also has its own website.
Furthermore, you can read our previous review of this show.
Check Out All Of Our Empire Theatre Reviews!
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