Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons opens The Arts Club Theatre Company’s 61st Season at Stanley Industrial Alliance Theatre until October 20th, now held over until October 27th
Stepping into the theatre and seeing Ryan Cormack’s unique set design signals that something special is about to come. From the opening moments of Jersey Boys, the energy of the show leaps from the stage and holds the audience enraptured for the next 2.5 hours.
Based on the lives and music of the Four Seasons, from the book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, Julie Tomaino directs and choreographs this stellar production. Filled with fantastic, familiar music and Tomaino’s meticulous movements through every moment, the show follows four boys from New Jersey performing under the corner street lamp to the ups and downs on their way to international stardom and induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Bringing such a well known and popular story to life requires delicate handling, paying homage to the public performances like American Bandstand while filling in the private moments which Tomaino and creative team manage while honouring the original Broadway and other production that have some before. Musical Director Ken Cormier leads the live band that keeps the audience moving with hits like; Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Beggin’, December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night), Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and more,
With a legacy as long and storied as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, their history had to be culled to visit the core of their lives and focusing on the four core founding members; Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio. Each member takes a turn telling the story from their point of view as the four seasons evolve. Darren Martens brings the street smart and talented Tommy DeVito, the original band lead, a charm and intensity that feels part Frank Sinatra, part Tony Soprano. Along with the bands’ stalwart bass player Nick Massi, brought to life by the equally hard-working Tanner Zerr, DeVito mentors a young talented soon to be renamed, Frankie Castelluccio. Taking on the iconic role, Elliot Lazar not only believably portrays the legendary singer from 14 to 56 years, close your eyes and you’ll be swept away in his stunning falsettos and majestic melodies. Composing most of those was another young prodigy Bob Gaudio, played by Jason Sakaki in a standout performance that perfectly showcases his own tremendous talents.
Along the way, we meet decades of family, friends and associates, making for a very busy ensemble taking on a host of characters with Emma Pedersen as Mary Delgado, Frankie’s first wife, Tiana Jung as Francine Valli their daughter and Sarah Cantuba as Lorraine a later love interest for Frankie. Graham Coffeng plays producer Bob Crewe who was instrumental at getting The Four Tops to the top of the charts. Constantine Antoniou convincingly plays mob boss Gyp DeCarlo while Jordan Stanley plays mob enforcer Norm Waxman and Nick DeVito, Tommy’s incarcerated twin. Amongst others, Hal Wesley Rogers plays Radio DJ Barry Belson who literally put the Four Seasons on air. As Joe Pesci, who introduces Bob Gaudio to the group, the outstanding Caleb di Pomponio also takes on the role of Frankie for the Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances.
Not that you need an excuse, but the opportunity to see both versions of Frankie is the perfect chance to take another jubilant journey to the old neighbourhood. Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons plays at The Arts Club Theatre Company’s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street, until October 20, 2024. Find show details and tickets online at artsclub.com