[MD Theatre Guide] ‘‘Theatre Review: ‘Jersey Boys’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts”

Brian Bochicchio - MD Theatre Guide

January 25, 2024

(Foreground) Jarrett Bloom as Bob Gaudio, Gian DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli, Calvin Malone as Tommy DeVito and Cooper Shaw as Nick Massi of the Four Seasons. Photo by Suzzane Carr Rossi.

Channeling a band’s life onstage can be a tricky endeavor. The musical “biopic” is a tempting stage device, with its ready-made score and built-in name recognition. But it also has the danger of going off-kilter (see ABBA and the whimsical, paper-thin plot of “Mamma Mia.”) “Jersey Boys,” the musical sensation based on the life and hits of The Four Seasons, certainly does not make that mistake. Its gritty and often eye-opening portrayal of Frankie Valli and his band members adds gravitas to their well-known iconic songs. As soon as the rights to the show were available, Riverside snapped it up. Jersey is now located in Stafford County and the effect is, “Oh, What a Night!”

The musical had an impressive Broadway run from 2005-2017, earning a Tony for Best Musical and Grammy for the show album. The show was created by (and co-written with Marshall Brickman) original member Bob Gaudio (an engaging Jarrett Bloom), who performed extensive research on the lives of his fellow band members. On the streets of a nondescript town in New Jersey, we meet Tommy DeVito (an attitudinal Calvin Malone), the band leader who takes a young Frankie Valli (the incandescent Gian DiCostanzo) under his wing and gives him a shot. Besides running numbers and a little breaking and entering, guys in the 60s worked on their vocal parts on the street corners. They scratched together a living until their first break, “Sherry,” hits the charts fueled by the unique vocals of Valli.

In a deliberate documentary style, each band member narrates a section of the show, broken down in each of the four seasons. Tommy introduces Spring, a time of beginning, growth, and growing pains. Bob narrates Summer when the band heats up and has its most popularity and growth. Tommy’s brother, Nick, (a solid Cooper Shaw) narrates Fall, a time of change when band tensions arise, money and mob troubles appear, and Nick leaves the band. Finally, Frankie narrates Winter, a time indicative of the band frozen in time and Frankie suffers a personal tragedy as he headlines and succeeds as a solo act.

Because the show uses mood-setting standards by other artists in its first quarter, you can feel the audience getting restless, waiting for “the real thing.” Once the Four Seasons classics are rolled out, every pair of shoulders in the house starts moving. With their three-part harmony behind DiCostanzo’s nasal falsetto, the group’s songs remain exasperatingly infectious. In Act II, we are treated to “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Working Their Way Back To You,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.” Choreographed by Director and Choreographer Patti D’Beck and Stephanie Wood, the foursome come as close to simulating the sound and original movements as any pop impersonators in recent memory. Splashy looks were the rage then and Costume Designer Erin Welsh provides the Four Season performers with wonderful outfits.

DiCostanzo shines as Valli, the driving force in the show, seamlessly shifting from unsure teenager to group leader, showing the strain of dealing with band life and personalities. He exhibited sharp timing and goes from a great impersonation to a believability that brings the reality of the show the forefront.

The Four Seasons had a cultivated persona that didn’t allow for public tumult. Luckily, much of the TMZ-worthy episodes were hidden from the public. We preserved our heroes, in similar, JFK/Camelot fashion. In a bittersweet ending, the original members are reunited as they enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, keeping the unity of the stage persona, even after all that they had been through.

Artistic Director Patrick A’Hearn’s vision of quality regional performances continues with “Jersey Boys.” A nod goes to D’Beck for her taut direction of this production, with on target musical direction by Carson Eubank, recreating the music of a bygone era.

Running Time: Two hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.

Advisory: Contains strong language.

“Jersey Boys” runs through March 24, 2024 at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (540) 370-4300 or go online.