New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 27 October 2018
Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes
5*****
One of the most iconic musicals of all time, “Jersey Boys” never fails to disappoint audiences. A documentary style jukebox musical it tells the story of four young men from New Jersey and their rise to fame. With music by Bob Gaudio, himself a member of The Four Seasons, lyrics by Bob Crewe and a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, this rags-to-riches story gives an insight as to what it was like for the band members on their way to the top along with the hardships they all struggling with such as divorce and debt problems.
The musical opens with “Ces Soirees-la” a rap/pop mashup of the classic “December 1963 (Oh What a Night) which Tommy DeVito (Simon Bailey) explains is the song that put Jersey on the map. Tommy explains that he formed a band with his brother, Nick, and friend Nick Massi who performed as “The Variety Trio” before discovering Frankie Castellucio (later Frankie Valli), whom Tommy took under his wing and teaching him everything he knows.
The story is split into four sections, each relating to a different season and each narrated by a different member of the band so as to highlight the bands highs, such as their string of number one hits, and lows, such as the death of Frankie’s daughter and the various prison stints they all did in the early days.
One of my favourite West End shows I did wonder how well it would work on tour but the set is still the same, with the cage like structures and the bridge working to set the scene, be it the Sea Breeze lounge or a New Jersey street. The costumes are still the same with the iconic red blazers from the posters playing a part in the show as well.
Dayle Hodge stole the show as Frankie Valli, receiving not one but four standing ovations, a true testament to the character he was playing. Hodge had the audience captivated not only with his acting skills but with his ability to hit the notes in the now iconic songs “Sherry” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” “Beggin’” and “Who Loves You?” all of which had the audience singing along.
An enjoyable night out for both young and old the show had the audience singing and clapping along and fully engaging with the show.