Jersey Boys Is Just Stunning At The Alexandra Theatre

The return of the much anticipated musical Jersey Boys had its press night at the The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham last night and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Sparkling set pieces, uniformly excellent performances, and those magical songs ensured that the packed house was on its feet by the end of the show, all hoping for one more song before they trooped off into the bitterly cold night. Even an enforced change to the actor playing Frankie Valli at the interval couldn’t stop it from being perfect. It was just that good.

Jersey Boys is the story of the Four Seasons, the New Jersey band who had hit after hit at the start of the swinging 60s. The Four Seasons were a band with a back story that was kept hidden away, a group no-one really knows anything about. The start of the story shows a group of young felons, caught up in petty crime and larceny, serving time behind bars, whilst striving for fame and fortune with the perfect band line up. They were not exactly the wholesome, all American boys their later image suggested.

In this early section, Tommy De Vito, played with real virile intensity and swagger by Dalton Wood, dominates. His drive to put a winning band line-up together, and simultaneously protecting the young Frankie Valli, whilst almost introducing him to a life of crime, is the heart of the early story.  With Nick Massi (Lewis Griffiths – just brilliant, and totally droll and funny in so many scenes.) they go through a series of names and line-ups, with their lead singer Frankie Valli being their saving grace. But when Joe Pesci (yes, that Joe Pesci) introduces former one-hit-wonder Bob Gaudio to the group – the stage is set for Pop history to be made.

Blair Gibson plays the songwriter extraordinaire Bob Gaudio with a youthful, yet sensibly calm demeanor that is a great counter balance to hothead Tommy. His friendship with Frankie Valli is a joy to watch, the support they give to one another is another strength of the story. Michael Pickering who plays Frankie is very good, but was struggling with illness on the night, and so at the interval Luke Suri replaced him. Luke is just a revelation as Frankie Valli, that falsetto voice is pure and perfect and just soars across the theatre. When he sings ‘Can’t take my eyes off you’  I just got the shivers, it was such a brilliant moment, whilst the pathos and heartbreak he brings to ‘Fallen Angel’ was another brilliant moment in a performance packed with so many.

Some would argue that the songs are the real stars of Jersey Boys, and certainly, they have stood the test of time to sound just as good today as they did in their heyday. Standout moments are many – but I would certainly say ‘Can’t take my eyes off you’ was a sublime moment of musical theatre that will linger in the memory for the longest time.

Jersey Boys is one of the most perfect musicals you will ever see, with songs that make your heart soar. It is that good.

Jersey Boys is at the The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 1st January 2022. Click here for ticket information.

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