JERSEY BOYS – A Dallas Summer Musicals Theater Review by John Strange
Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is a tale filled with humor, sorrow, great music, and ‘authentic, “profane Jersey language”’. Francesco Stephen Castelluccio was the 14-year-old boy who became Frankie Valli (John Hacker) after he was recruited by Tommy DeVito (Devon Goffman) to join his musical group.
The story follows Frankie through the group’s many versions over the years using music and first-person narration to bring us along for the ride. We see their lean years and the flush years. We watch as Frankie falls in love. We are along for the ride as the group recruits the man who will write so many of their monster hits, Bob Gaudio (Eric Chambliss).
This is a story of ups and downs. Of the kind of friendships that become more family than acquaintances, filled with arguments and forgiveness, and always, the songs they performed at each stage of their career.
One of the highlights of my viewing of this show was observing the couples around me as they listened and remembered times gone by. They moved to the music and remembered the days and the feelings that each of the songs recalled. The couple in front of me was one of those pairs that were reliving the good times. It was wonderful to watch as the song that was likely “their song” was performed on the stage.
This story is not all sweetness and light. It includes the “blemishes” and the rough days and times to round out a story that so many of us grew up with but never knew. The show and its cast are first-rate. Discounting the several mic feedbacks early in the show, the technical side of the performance was well done. I heartily recommend this musical walk down memory lane.
Director: Des McAnuff
Choreography: Sergio Trujillo
Music Supervision, Vocal/Dance Arrangements, and Incidental Music: Ron Melrose
Cast: Eric Chambliss, Matt Faucher, Devon Goffman, Jon Hacker, Justin Albinder, Amy Coelho, Kenneth Quinney Francoeur, Samantha Gershman, Katie Goffman, Antonio King, Connor Lyon, Kevin Patrick Martin, Sean McGee, Hamilton Moore, Alec Michael Ryan, Bruno Vida
Dallas Show Dates and Times:
December 28th – January 9th
Tues-Sat: 7:30 pm
Matinees:
Sat-Sun: 1:30 pm (January 8th matinee will also be ASL)
Ticket Prices: $30.00 – $105.00
Run Time: 2 hours 30 minutes, 1 Intermission
Appropriateness Rating: “JERSEY BOYS contains authentic, “profane Jersey language” and is recommended for ages 12+”
Website: https://dallassummermusicals.org/shows/jersey-boys/
