Review: Those Darn Boys from Jersey, I'm Tellin' Ya!

Night after night, the audience in San Francisco's Curran Theatre doesn't even ask permission to applaud…they just do! In the middle of songs no less, they're on their feet, swimming in the ubiquitous sound of The Four Seasons during the first tour engagement of the Tony Award-winning musical, Jersey Boys. This act hits all the right notes!

Detailing the spectacular story and rise of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, one of America's most successful recording groups of the 60-70s, Jersey Boys, directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff, features four knock-out leading men backed by an explosive band.

Christopher Kale Jones presents an amiable and debonair Frankie Valli – though not as pitch-perfect as original Broadway cast member John Lloyd Young – with a fascinating and convincing character arc, beginning as a 16 year-old with a lucky break. The second Jones struts across the cat-walk snapping his fingers to "Silhouettes," his gorgeous falsetto and rooted voice starts a cascade of tunes blanketing the audience in euphoric nostalgia.

Erich Bergen as Bob Gaudio, the Seasons genius lyricist, certainly shares the spotlight with Jones. You can't take your eyes off of him! As "the tall one," Bergen has great delivery and a magnificent voice. After his brilliant "Oh, What A Night," you wish he didn't only just narrate a quarter of the show! Bergen's passionate presence and brio shatters the generation gap, bringing stars to the eyes of the crowd that match those of the girls who fawned over Gaudio 30 years ago on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Self-credited as "the one who started it all," Tommy DeVito is portrayed by Theatre World Award-winner Deven May (Bat Boy). May's fluid language, piercing eyes, and somewhat rigid physicality add the necessary rough edge to Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman's exceptionally balanced book.

Rounding out the quartet is Michael Ingersoll as the late-Nick Massi. Ingersoll's controlled, open voice is the perfect piece to the rich and flawless harmonies. His second-act tirade atop an unrelenting bass line is eminent and biting.

Jones seems to demonstrate an unlimited range during "In the Mood for Love," and if that doesn't get the little hairs on the back of your neck on-end, then watching the foursome fall into line during "Don't Go Baby" will leave you breathless. Soon afterward, the proscenium explodes with light after Jones' "Sherry" – you fear the ceiling will cave in from the ensuing uproar.

The ensemble – often playing multiple roles – is sassy, smart, and thrilling; especially the deft female trio, Sandra DeNise, Jackie Seiden, and Melissa Strom.

Minus a few opening night technical gerfluffles, Klara Zieglerova and Michael Clark's set and projection design blend idyllically with McAnuff's magnificent staging. Plus Jess Goldstein's costumes pop from every color on the palette.

Judging from the Opening Night crowd, those darn boys from Jersey are bound to have a highly-received engagement. Who loves you, pretty baby? San Francisco!

Jersey Boys: directed by Des McAnuff, at the Curran Theatre, San Francisco through March 25, 2007. 2hrs, 30mins with 15min intermission. Tickets ($30-$90) are available at 415-512-7770 and www.shnsf.com. The Curran Theatre is located at 445 Geary between Taylor and Mason in San Francisco. Photos by Joan Marcus.

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