★★★★☆
First performed in 2004, Jersey Boys took the world by storm, resulting in numerous tours and a 2014 movie – but what makes it so successful?
Jersey Boys tells the inspirational story of the iconic boy band The Four Seasons, showing the lives of four working-class lads from New Jersey and their rocky rise to stardom despite family problems, an identity crisis, Mafia ties, internal squabbles and crippling debts. The loyal, starry-eyed dreamers go from singing covers under streetlamps and in small-time clubs to performing world-renowned hits on stages across the globe. It’s a jukebox musical that taps into 1960s music nostalgia, featuring such hits as ‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Beggin’’, ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, ‘December 1963 (Oh What A Night)’, and ‘Who Loves You’, amongst many others.
The narrative is split into four seasons; a season for each band member to tell their side of the story with chronological progression, culminating in a reunion and summative final thoughts. Initially, the structure is a little jarring, with lots of narration interrupting the action, but well-timed quips, and their beaming personalities shine through any expositional dumps, particularly Carlo Boumouglbay’s charismatic portrayal of brotherly founder Tommy DeVito.
There’s a touch of glamorisation, as to be expected of biographical shows, particularly in the way it shirks off Frankie’s infidelity and parental absence as an expected part of life on the road. Additionally, the influence of Black artists on their music goes largely understated. Despite this, it’s an entertaining story, delving into the lesser-known details of the band’s past, particularly hitting it off after the band finds their sound in an energetic piano session with Toby Miles’ (Bob Gaudio) energetic riffs. From then on, the hits, action, and hardships keep coming.
The music is a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic performances, sometimes sung in chronology or performed like a concert, other times reflecting the character’s emotions, such as Frankie’s heart-breaking solo ‘Fallen Angel’. But Jersey Boys particularly excels in its recreation of iconic performances, feeding off the audience’s nostalgia for that unique pop-rock doo-wop fusion with hearty performances accentuated by Jess Goldstein’s catalogue of eye-popping blazers and Sergio Trujillo’s jazzy choreography that meld perfectly with the intricate four-part harmonies.
Notably, Lewis Kennedy’s (Nick Massi) dulcet bassy vocals provide the perfect contrast to Luke Baker’s (Frankie Valli) soaring falsettos and potent solos. The ensemble constantly amaze with their dynamic characterisations, several cast members multi-rolling or performing on and off-stage harmonies.
Despite the sheer catalogue of music they cover, it focuses on good story progression, avoiding that clunky tribute niche that Buddy suffered from.
Klara Zieglerova’s staging feels a tad simplistic but offers some nice surprises. The metal platforms and staircases feel reminiscent of industrial metalwork and city fire escapes yet simultaneously match the barebones aesthetic of rock concert stages. A central screen shows a variety of comic of panels and spliced live and archival footage of the performance, with splashes of colourful lights framing the outskirts. I especially enjoyed the reverse angle shots that toyed with the audience’s perspective in different performances, alternating between facing, sitting along-side, and looking from behind the band (although the final concert lights were a tad too blinding).
Jersey Boys is jukebox musical royalty with memorable music, funky sequences, and iconic vocal performances. Quite Frank-ly, it’s no surprise that it’s lasted so long and still going strong.
Jersey Boys will be playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester between 7-19th September 2026.
Photo: Mark Senior
JADAR 