Jersey Boys theatre review: It’s all in the music
The musical goat returns with a perfect balance of tunes, charm and zingers
It may be only two decades since Jersey Boys made a big splash on Broadway, but it’s more than 60 years since the Four Seasons had their first hit. In an era obsessed with ‘the next big thing’, it’s no small feat that a musical about the band is still going strong. But such is the charm of Jersey Boys, that whether you were an original Four Seasons fan back in the day, heard your parents playing them as you were growing up, or have no idea who they are, this show still hits the spot.
That’s partly because it’s a story well worth telling; a tale of ups and downs, of underdogs barking their way to the top, of love, friendship and a little bit of tragedy. Written with wit and charm by the late Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the dialogue is packed with zingers as it charts the unlikely rise of four working class boys from the mean streets of New Jersey to the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Fame.
All of which would have made for a great play that would have done the rounds before being quietly consigned to the history books. But the music is what keeps Jersey Boys afloat. If you think you don’t know a Four Seasons song, you’re wrong. Somewhere along the line, at least one of their tunes will have entered your consciousness. From a back catalogue large enough to last a full day on Spotify, the producers cherry picked the most infectious hits: ‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Walk Like A Man’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, ‘Beggin’’, ‘December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)’ and other top tunes.
Which leads to show’s other pot of gold: the cast. The world of musical theatre is replete with people who can sing, dance and act, but with Jersey Boys, the triple threat becomes quadruple. For the past 20 years, the casting team has had its work cut out finding a strong ensemble that can play multiple real-life roles, and then four young men who can realistically step into the shoes of Frankie Valli (that distinctive voice!), Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio. For this UK tour, they’ve struck gold once again with Luke Baker, Carlo Boumouglbay, Lewis Kennedy and Toby Miles. There’s a very good reason Jersey Boys has a Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award on its mantelpiece, and it’s the same reason you should go and see it.
Jersey Boys is on tour until Saturday 14 August, 2027; reviewed at New Wimbledon Theatre, London.