The May 2008 opening of Jersey Boys at the Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas marks yet another success for this musical about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Jersey Boys introduces the music of Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli with a French rap version of “Oh What A Night,” retitled “Ces Soirees-La” and released by Yannick in 2000. The opener emphasizes the longevity of The Four Seasons’ music, while hinting at the spirit of the evening: A celebration of song, spunk, and “stick-with-it-ness,” despite life’s innumerable barriers to success for the average person.

The musical moves the 1950s quartet through three name changes, and a dozen-song medley, before delivering a rendition of The Four Seasons first chart topper, “Sherry,” about midway through Act One. A pre-intermission, Tommy De Vito-driven cliffhanger arrives more quickly than expected; because the audience is immersed in this tale of struggling musicians and dangerous mobsters, those antiheroes now intricately and intimately woven into the fabric of American popular culture.

Predictably, the New Jersey gangster saves the day, but leaves behind immense financial pressure. You can also expect to hear such American Bandstand hits as “My Eyes Adored You,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man.”

What will surprise you: the sensitivities and insecurities of these early rock stars; the familiarity of a long lost single by The Royal Teens called “Short Shorts”; and the intergenerational appeal of this song and dance spectacle.

Overall Verdict

Although winning the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical says plenty about Jersey Boys, the accolades are only strengthened by a gritty saga of “keep-on-trying” told by engaging characters. Indeed, the story for Jersey Boys grips much harder than the feel good fairy tale of Donna, Sophie and her three dads, from the ABBA-inspired Broadway musical Mamma Mia !, which will continue to expand an already global reach with the 2008 summer release of a film version starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, and Pierce Brosnan.

See Jersey Boys sooner than later, while the story, its concepts and casts are still fresh and exciting. No matter how great this show is, the longer you wait to see it, the more likely you are to catch a stale, robotic version, which manifests toward the end of a run for those musicals that seem to have endless runs, such as Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables.

Yes, Jersey Boys is in the same league as every musical mentioned here.

When And Where To See Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys currently has extended runs in the following theaters and cities:

August Wilson Theater in New York City / 245 West 52nd Street

Regular tickets are priced from $97 to $122US with $27 standing room only tickets available for sold-out shows, two hours prior to performance, cash only. Plays daily except Monday with exceptions during the holiday season.

La Salle Bank Theatre in Chicago / 18 West Monroe

Advanced seating for $30 to $100US with up to 50 rush tickets available for $25 starting at 10 a.m. on the day of the performance. Rush seats generally have obstructed views; ten are front row, orchestra.

Palazzo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas / 3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Tickets range from $65 to $135US. Shows nightly, showroom is dark on Wednesdays.

Prince Edward Theatre in London / 28 Old Compton Street

Performances Monday through Saturday cost £20-60. Reservations available through April 2009.

The Jersey Boys Tour will visit St. Louis, Missouri; Cincinnati and Cleveland Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Toronto, Canada; Denver, Colorado; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Hartford, Connecticut; Rochester, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Atlanta, Georgia from May 2008 to June 21, 2009.

Melbourne, Australia will premiere Jersey Boys in March 2009.

Credits

Music for Jersey Boys was composed by Bob Gaudio. Lyrics are by Bob Crewe. The book was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Jersey Boys was directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo.