Last night, I had the pleasure of attending Jersey Boys at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts. If you’ve ever felt displaced in your own generation (as I have) or if you simply love rock and roll history, this musical documentary is truly a treat.
Jersey Boys follows The Four Seasons as their band changed over the course of more than ten years. From four kids from Newark, New Jersey to a multi-million dollar ensemble, The Four Seasons endured debts, fights, marital and family problems, and seedy mob connections.
When I first heard about Jersey Boys, I couldn’t help but wonder how it was possible to produce a musical documentary onstage. The show opened on “Ces Soirées-La,” a French rap cover of “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night).” As that song was playing, Tommy DeVito (played by understudy Devon Goffman) began the story of The Four Seasons. As the story of their lives progressed, Frankie Valli (played by Brad Weinstock), Nick Massi (played by Brandon Andrus), and Bob Gaudio (played by Jason Kappus) had a chance to tell a piece of it by speaking and singing. Among others, hits like “My Mother’s Eyes,” “Sherry,” and “Bye Bye Baby” were utilized to provide extra passion to the most important events. When I was pondering the details of this production, a mixture of singing and storytelling seems simple but did not cross my mind. Jersey Boys was different than most shows, and it was enjoyable because it was so well performed.
I highly recommend this show to everyone 13 and over because of adult language and themes. Tickets start at $25, and the show will run until December 2nd with matinee and regular performances. Visit www.kentuckycenter.org for more information or to buy tickets online.
Jersey Boys was so good, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it!
