Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons has San Diego Regional Premiere as CCAE's First Show of 2024-2025 Season
A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti
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| L-R: Anthony Carro (Tommy DeVito), Nicholas Alexander (Frankie Valli), Taubert Nadalini (Bob Gaudio), and Noah Archibald (Nick Massi) in Jersey Boys.Photo Credit: Ken Jacques |
CCAE Theatricals came in strong to San Diego with Once and The Light in the Piazza. It is no surprise that they would knock this one out of the park too. I have worked with about three touring productions of Jersey Boys during their San Diego runs and I know the show well. To start, I consider Lindsay Brooks's casting was on point and Nicholas Alexander is the most realistic Frankie Valli I have seen, from the look to the voice. Taubert Nadalini as Bob Gaudio is also freakishly close. I also liked Stephen Gifford's set as it stayed close to the original and famous two-story design but instead of having it stripped down, -and maybe it is just me- I felt it also winked at the movie version of Jersey Boys along with Jean-Yves Tessier's lighting in association with Joshua Heming that is surrounded by tints of burgundy joined by Jon Infante's projection design that rounded out the band's TV appearances as well as their "live" performances differentiating the music performance within the musical. That made it more real and it also separated itself from Michael Clark's Broadway projections that allude to Roy Lichtenstein being one of the aesthetic referrals of the production.
I do have a note...The design has a spiral staircase, audience left, that I do not consider works that well as the actors seemed to struggle at times going up and down as well as guarding their heads to not hit them. It became distracting too as all the attention went to the left. There are two other stairways and even though I understand entrance and exit, maybe using the other two more, would work better as a whole.
The book written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio & lyrics by Bob Crewe, tells the story of how these four came together to be a part of music history. Three of them are troubled boys from "the neighborhood" who share their coming up to fame as well as their falls and struggles. Taking all the glitz and glamour out of the equation, there is sadness and disappointment with Tommy DeVito's shenanigans along with Nick and Frankie's broken families. T.J. Dawson's direction guided the acting, the singing, and the interpretation of the true facts with authenticity. This is not an easy job as audiences are very familiar with the story and the hits, so taking it straight on and delivering like Dawson did, was definitely the way to go. Some wow factors take advantage of that second-story floor with the musicians directed by conductor Lyndon Pugeda and, live music. Being able to see the musicians, will always add to the experience.
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| Center: Nicholas Alexander (Frankie Valli) and the Company of Jersey Boys.Photo Credit: Ken Jacques |
I loved the interaction between the four Jersey Boys: Nicholas Alexander, Anthony Carro, Taubert Nadalini, and Noah Archibald. As I mentioned Nicholas and Taubert's closeness to the originals is impressive. Anthony Carro as the snide band leader is spot on with the attitude and glares. Noah with the low, bass voice and slower-moving Nick was very lovable and had audience's hearting. Skylar Gaines as the super sign-conscious, astrology-driven producer Bob Crewe was funny and very fun to watch. Johnny DiGiorgio's chameleon histrionics playing mafia member Norm Waxman to Four Seasons band member were fresh. Lance Arthur Smith is also very good as the goddfatherish Gyp DeCarlo, fan of the song My Mother's Eyes. Good and multiple threat as he also plays instruments during the show.
The musical interpretations were there embracing hits like Shery (that brought the house down) and Who Loves You with Alexander nailing Valli's signature high octaves as well as the "art song" My Eyes Adored You through Paul Durso's sound design all the way to the church echo. The steps also made it courtesy of Dana Solimando's choreography. The Jersey accents were not caricatures or overdone, this one courtesy of Caitlin Muelder's coaching. Adam Ramirez's costume design had the glitter, the velour, and the Spanx sparkle also embracing the decades and bringing that aesthetic element.
These musicals embrace the triple and quadruple threats and I am here for it as it is wild to see actors singing, dancing, interpreting, and then going to play an instrument. It is always great to see and praise. Other actors in the cast include Marlana Dunn, Maggie Ek, Christopher James Hester, Claire Marshall, Donovan Mendelovitz, Sarah Pierce, Andrew Sattler, and Stefan Miller as the Swing.
Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is back home in San Diego making it right.
Currently playing until October 6 at the Escondido Center for the Performing Arts. For more information please click HERE.
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