Jersey Boys

Image above (from L to R) Connor Crawford, (Tommy DeVito) Jack Saunders (Bob Gaudio), Josh Mulheran (Frankie Valli) and Glaston Toft (Nick Massi). Photographer: Joel Devereux

It’s 20 years since Jersey Boys, the hit stage musical by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice premiered in the US and started taking audiences by storm across the globe, reintroducing us to the golden tones of those boys from New Jersey, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Starting in the mid-1950s, the group’s songs cross over so many genres, from their original inspiration – the street-corner ‘do-wop’ a cappella groups – through to pure pop, Motown, big ballads, rock and disco. It takes a talented cast to keep up with all these styles and first-rate hit songs. Prospero Arts and QPAC have put together a stunning cast to take care of business. This ‘reimagined, semi-staged’ production, directed by Martin Croft, is streamlined and slick, structured in four sections or ‘seasons’, with each era of the band’s history narrated by a different band member. The direction is lean and tight – there are no dull moments – and each performer is allowed to shine as they give us their character’s take on the story.

As Frankie Valli, Josh Mulheran is an absolute star. He captures the Jersey street smarts, the pathos and the energy of a guy who knows that his voice is his ticket to a better life. His vocal range and strength are amazing. Connor Crawford adds a comic edge as the colourful guitarist/manager Tommy DeVito, as does Glaston Toft as the deadpan bass player, Nick Massi. Glaston has been a Jersey Boy since the show’s first Australian production in 2009, so he gives a very relaxed and confident performance, hitting every mark. A joy to watch. When Jack Saunders hits the stage as the group’s songwriter, Bob Gaudio, you can feel the energy lift. And when the band play their first major hit ‘Sherry’ it’s like hearing rock and roll for the first time. So fresh and exciting. This troupe work hard, singing more than 20 songs together – including fan favourites ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Walk Like a Man’, ‘December ’63 (Oh What a Night)’ and so many more. No wonder this production is on for four days only! Get your tickets as soon as you can!

This talented troupe has a large percentage of Queensland talent and it was great to see some faces familiar from the Conservatorium’s Musical Theatre course in the supporting characters: Matthew Casamento was brilliant as the zippy Joey Pesci (instrumental in getting the group together – who knew?); Sophie Perkins as Lorraine; Emma Wilby as Francine Valli; and Oliver Lacey as Hank Majewski.

Women don’t feature heavily in the Jersey Boys story, but Loren Hunter encapsulates the frustration of the rock and roll wife as Mary Delgado, and has a moving duet with ‘My Eyes Adore You’. And our three strong women also double up beautifully, strutting their stuff as a Motown girl group, the Angels for ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’. All the supporting players were spot-on: Glenn Hill as producer Bob Crewe;  AJ Pate as Barry Belson; Maxwell Simon as Norm Waxman; and Dale Pengelly as Gyp DeCarlo – if you want a real treat, keep an eye on Dale’s dancing in the final number. The choreography by Dan Venz and associate Emma Hawthorne, superbly locks the musical numbers firmly in their era, supported by some very stylish work by Costume Designer, Penny Challen. Craig Wilkinson’s Video Design and Ben Hughes’ Lighting Design take us from divey New Jersey back streets in the summer to seedy Chicago venues in the winter and the vibrancy of Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge from Jersey – it’s sensational but never distracts from the main attraction of the music.

One great aspect of Prospero Arts’ semi-staged concert series is that the music is allowed to take centre stage. The performance features a live band on stage throughout, with Music Direction by James Dobinson (who also conducts and plays keys) and Music Supervision by David Young.  Geoff McGahan’s Sound Design and operation are crucial elements to enjoying this show.

Go and see Jersey Boys. You’ll feel uplifted and this production will have you singing all the way home!

Find out more: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2024/jersey-boys

Beth Keehn

Photographer: Joel Devereux