By Jason and Alisha Hagey
Pioneer Theatre Company’s electrifying musical production of Jersey Boys is a fun and exciting journey. Taking the audience through the rise, fall, and resurgence of one of America’s most significant musical groups, The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys is thrilling and seriously grounded. Jersey Boys is a reminder that stardom, celebrity, and fortune are tenuous monikers because no matter who someone is or how successful they may be, they are still human – with all the defects and flaws.
The 1960’s streets of New Jersey hum. Four ambitious young men – Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, and Frankie Valli – each take turns telling their perspective of the Four Seasons’ story. Throughout the run of the musical, the narrative is deepened by the multifaceted viewpoints, thus giving the audience a greater understanding of the personal struggles behind the music and the fame.
Per her usual finesse and seamless direction, Karen Azenberg (Director/Choreographer) creates a vibrant celebration of music, brotherhood, and perseverance. Something Azenberg nails in this production are the little details. While having dramatic, even profound, visual moments, she also provides small touches that enthrall, such as Frankie’s interactions with his daughter, Bob subtly teaching new performers how to keep the Four Seasons’ style, or Tommy’s position on stage relative to the others in the group. Azenberg’s attention to detail and exceptional visual storytelling set her apart.
With a voice reminiscent of Valli’s signature falsetto, Trevor James (Frankie Valli) effortlessly soars through his performance. His vocal prowess is potent and captivating. Additionally, James also embodies a very real, very vulnerable Valli. He captures the highs of chart-topping success and the lows of personal loss with equal skill. He makes real the glitz and glamour of the music with a heartfelt, authentic portrayal. James also beautifully sings hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
Playing the creative genius behind the group’s many big hits, Daxton Bloomquist (Bob Gaudio) is a perfect partner and counterbalance to James. Bloomquist exudes intellectual confidence. His Gaudio is charismatic but never bombastic or overbearing. He comes across as gentle, kind, and self-assured, thus making Gaudio extraordinarily likable and relatable.
Adam Enrique Hollick (Tommy DeVito) provides flawed leadership for the group – his actions create conflict. Still, he does so with such streetwise bravado that makes him as endearing as he is frustrating. Hollick embodies the necessary scrappy, “take-no-prisoners” attitude for a group like the Four Seasons to rise from their New Jersey obscurity to their pop-rock zenith.
The quiet, broody bass player Brent Thiessen (Nick Massi) rounds out the quartet. Thiessen performs with subtlety and depth. His presence is understated, and his humor is dry, but he offers some of the show’s most poignant moments. His reflection on the toll that the group’s success and DeVito’s decisions have made on their personal lives is without affectation. Thiessen delivers every line, every gesture, and every expression with perfect clarity and absolute empathy.
A remarkable ensemble is essential for staging a musical of this kind – and this production has an outstanding ensemble: Lenny Daniel, David Elder, Lucy Anders, Timothy Aaron Cooper, Spencer Dean, Joe Hebel, Chris Richie, Ellie Smith, Mia Bergstrom, Jordan Cruz, and Cameron Nies. The ensemble cast flows in and out of scenes with superior characterizations: gangsters become priests, glamorous singers become dowdy wives, and police officers become bookies in the blink of an eye, and yet are so different than each other that you would swear you were watching different actors in each of the roles.
The production design is dynamic, with Jo Winiarski’s (Scenic Design) world transporting us from smoky clubs to sold-out arenas. Christina Watanabe (Lighting Design) took us through the decades with their choices. It is a perfect marriage with the sets. Brenda Van der Wiel (Costume Designer) gives us time period and gives us the gritty glamour of the eras. Coupling this with Azenberg’s choreography ensures that the show never loses momentum.
Tami Lee Thompson’s (Hair & Makeup Designer) work shines. There are so many hair changes that it blows me away. I overheard a group talking after the show that there were four dressers backstage. Those backstage people made it seem like an army was helping them. Wigs and costumes created space and time. Whenever you have a large ensemble piece, such as this one, there is constant change. So to you four dressers, I salute you for making all the wonder possible.
What makes Jersey Boys unique is that it is honest. The soundtrack is filled with hits and classics. It gives us nostalgia and energy. But the show is more than just a concert of top 10 hits. It is a tightly woven narrative blending storytelling with the music of the day. Each track is contextualized giving more meaning to familiar tunes. Jersey Boys is more than a tribute to The Four Seasons—it’s a celebration of resilience and friendship. With showstopping performances, an iconic score, and a gripping narrative, it’s no wonder Jersey Boys continues to leave audiences on their feet, cheering for more.
RUN TIME
Jersey Boys lasts approx. 2 hours 40 minutes (including one 15-minute intermission)
Pioneer Theatre Company presents Jersey Boys
Book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Music by Bob Gaudio, Lyrics by Bob Crewe
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112
September 13 – 28, 2024
Monday–Thursday 7:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 7:30 PM
Saturday 2:00 PM
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Monday, September 23 at 7:00 PM
$57-83 ($5 more per ticket if purchased at the door)
Box Office: 801-581-6961
Open 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday – Friday
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LOGE GALLERY
During the run of Jersey Boys, Pioneer Theatre Company will present “Layers of Impressions” in the Loge Gallery. The exhibit will highlight pieces from Saltgrass Printmakers, a nonprofit printmaking studio and gallery. Featured artists will include Justin Diggle, Wayne Kimball, and Adam Larsen. Select works will be available for purchase through the PTC Box Office.
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