There are few biographies that translate well from real-life to a Broadway stage. The
Jersey Boys musical has managed to make the transition rather greatly. Who knew that the life of four blue-collar Italian guys from Newark, New Jersey would make for a Broadway play? The
Jersey Boys musical is not boring, nor does it disappoint.
The music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons make the
Jersey Boys musical all the more enjoyable. Some standard Broadway performances are just acting with occasional singing. However, the
Jersey Boys musical is a full-fledged concert!
From Jersey to Broadway
The story of Frankie Valli, whose real name is Francis Stephen Castelluccio, and the Four Seasons is an interesting tale of aspiring singers who went from singing under the streetlight to the spotlight. Frankie Valli, the lead behind the
Jersey Boys musical, began his career in 1951 in a singing trio that later disbanded. The other members of the group shared in their own singing highs and lows by joining bands temporarily and singing wherever they could. It wasn't until 1960 that all members of the band were finalized and the band was named The Four Seasons. Valli's tenor and falsetto raised the group to a coveted American Bandstand spot.
The
Jersey Boys musical came about after a long dinner with Rick Elice, Marshall Brickman, Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio. Rick Elice is the co-writer of the
Jersey Boys musical with Marshall Brickman, who shared a 'Best Screenplay' award with Woody Allen for Annie Hall. Neither was experienced in writing musicals, but they gave it their best shot.
In the beginning, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons was not all that glamorous or exciting like The Beatles or the Rolling Stones. During dinner, the band's primary songwriter, Bob Gaudio, was interested in a Mamma Mia type production. Needless to say, Richard Elice and Marshall Brickman weren't interested. The
Jersey Boys musical came about after a simple conversation with Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio talking about their lives in New Jersey and the start of the band. A light bulb moment occurred and the writing duo realized that there was a lot of depth to the band's story. More importantly, there were four sides of the story.
Jersey Boys Musical
The
Jersey Boys musical production starts with the life of these four Italian guys in Essex County. Both acts are full of a host of musical numbers. The
Jersey Boys musical is a new, fresh take on traditional biographies. It's true to life, and the great part is that if there were any questions during screenwriting, the original characters were there to answer them!
After the success of the
Jersey Boys musical, it was no surprise that Frankie Valli played a role on the hit HBO show
The Sopranos. Valli played New York mob captain Rusty Millio.
The
Jersey Boys musical opened at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Francisco, California on October 5, 2004. It ran through January 16, 2005. The
Jersey Boys musical hit the Broadway stage at the August Wilson Theatre on November 6, 2005 to great reviews and high ticket sales. The current Broadway production stars Jarrod Spector as Frankie Valli, Dominic Nolfi as Tommy DeVito, Sebastian Arcelus as Bob Gaudio and Matt Bogart as Nick Massi.
In 1990, Frank Valli and The Four Season were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
The
Jersey Boys musical contains a great story about the men's humble beginnings, their rise to stardom, internal challenges with each other, and a bit of mob activity for variety. The
Jersey Boys musical is choreographed well and the production will make you feel like you are in that era. Overall, it's an interesting, entertaining biography that will leave you singing.