Dancap Experience – Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Paula Citron
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Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Dancap Experience
Music by Bob Gaudio/Lyrics by Bob Crewe
Book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice
Directed by Des McAnuff
Starring Joseph Leo Bwarie, Jeremy Kushnier, Andrew Rannells and Steve Gouveia
Toronto Centre for the Arts until Nov. 9
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For people thinking they’ll pass on Jersey Boys, a docu-musical about the 1960s superstar doo-wop group Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – think again. The show won the 2005 Best Musical Tony, and it is simply sensational.

Toronto born director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo have put together a blistering paced production anchored in Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice’s very clever book. And of course, the infectious music by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe will have your toes tapping. Oldsters who came of age in the 60s will remember Valli’s high falsetto on “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man”.

This may be a touring production but the acting is fabulous, particularly Joseph Leo Bwarie as Frankie Valli and Winnipeg native Jeremy Kushnier as Tommy DeVito. The rags to riches story is both dramatic and poignant. This is a show where everyone has a great time.

Jersey Boys continues at the Toronto Centre for the Arts until Nov. 9.