A Toe-Tapping, Head-Bopping, Do-Wopping Extravaganza,
Jersey Boys Thrilled on Opening Night Tuesday, April 5th

Jersey Boys stars (from left) Rob Marnell as keyboard player Bob Gaudio, Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo as lead singer Frankie Valli,
Randy Cain as bass player Nick Massi, and Rory Max Kaplan as lead guitarist Tommy DeVito (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

Congratulations to Theatre Raleigh artistic director Lauren Kennedy Brady and company for creating a thoroughly engaging production of Jersey Boys for the opening show of their 2023 season. Hats off to Matt Bogart for his nimble direction of this story of one of the most iconic bands from the 1960s -- The Four Seasons. If you have never seen a performance of Jersey Boys before, you will definitely want to see this show, even if Frankie Valli (with an "I") was before your time. You will still recognize hit after hit ("Sherry" (1962), "Big Girls Don't Cry" (1962), "Walk Like a Man" (1963), and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (1967), just to name just a few).

The Theatre Raleigh Arts Center is very intimate and inviting; and yet it was the perfect venue for the re-envisioning of this show, which is normally seen in a much larger setting. This intimacy lent itself well to the telling of the very personal stories of the members of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. We watch as they find their iconic sound, create their massive portfolio of hits, have personal problems, families and, yes, tragedies; and all while we get to enjoy fabulous musical performances.

We were simply spell bound by the life stories and the music created by these four talented young men on their bumpy journey to their 1990 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We were rooting for them the whole way!

Theatre Raleigh's production of Jersey Boys stars Jasmine Michelle Smith and Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

The cast used every inch of the stage, and the transitions were seamless. A catwalk up above became a radio station, a producer's office, and a jail. The use of props (TV cameras, steering wheels to portray cars, tables and chairs, and even a cardboard cutout used for a TV screen) transported the audience from scene to scene. Five stars for Tim Domack (prop design) for his creativity and imaginative mind.

To speak of the lighting, it was "spot on" (pun intended!). Perfectly timed spotlights on each actor, simple background lighting effects, and the use of both subtle and then dramatic bold reds and purples at precisely the right moments tied the story together. Thank you, lighting designer CJ Barnwell.

Then of course, there is the cast. We can't say enough about every performer on stage. They all have such talent, it's just not fair. An extra Bravo! to the incredible stars of the show Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo (Frankie Valli), Randy Cain (Nick Massi), Rory Max Kaplan (Tommy DeVito) and Rob Marnell (Bob Gaudio). Their voices blended and harmonized perfectly in classic doo-wop fashion, their dance moves were crisp and engaging, and their performances were simply divine.

Jersey Boys at Theatre Raleigh stars (from left) Rob Marnell (front) as Bob Gaudio, Rory Max Kaplan as Tommy
DeVito, Randy Cain as Nick Massi, Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

We learned after the show (see Chix's Pix for more details) that many of the stars are accomplished musicians and play instruments in real life (DiCostanzo plays trumpet, and Kaplan plays guitar and has released his own songs), making their handling of the instruments even more believable. And boy, DiCostanzo can hit those famous high notes just as well as the real Frankie Valli; and with his resonant bass, Cain could have been in Sha Na Na (youngin's, look it up!) The troupe's mesmerizing and perfectly choreographed dance moves were no doubt due to the artistic mind and direction of Candi Boyd.

The live band was seated at the back of the stage, but they were very bold and visible. Band leader Brian Whitted helmed some very talented musicians, who not only nailed all of the well-known songs that The Four Seasons gave us all back in the 1960's, but also songs from some of their contemporaries as well. In fact, the music was so good that the audience stayed in motion and cheered the entire time, some even during the brief intermission.

So, can you tell we loved this show? If you only see one live production this year, this is the one to see, and we say that without hesitation. This show reminded us of how great theater can be.

Jersey Boys stars (from left) Rory Max Kaplan as Tommy DeVito (lead guitar), Rob Marnell as Bob Gaudio (keyboards), Gian
Raffaele DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli (lead singer), and Randy Cain as Nick Massi (bass) (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

Chix's Picks: Gatsby's Bar

This watering hole is just steps away from the theater and well worth the walk. With an abundance of gin, bourbon, beer, and other satisfying sips on the menu, along with food trucks and outdoor seating, it is the perfect place to have a pre- or post-production drink or nibble. As a side note, many of the actors, musicians, and stagehands went there after the show. Maybe you can get an autograph or have a post-show chat if you are lucky. Or hear some more doo-wop from the table next to you. Bonus!

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

Bob Crewe, Marshall Brickman, and Rick Elise's JERSEY BOYS (In Person at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7-9, 12-16, and 19-23), directed by Matt Bogart and choreographed by associate director Candi Boyd, with music direction by Brian Whitted, and starring Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli, Rory Max Kaplan as Tommy DeVito, Rob Marnell as Bob Gaudio, and Randy Cain as Nick Massi (Theatre Raleigh at the Theatre Raleigh Arts Center at 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd. in Raleigh). TRAILERS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXAWAA8ds3o and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KSQViUB89Y. 2023 SEASON: https://theatreraleigh.com/2022-main-stage-season/. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: https://theatreraleigh.com/, https://www.facebook.com/TheatreRaleigh, https://www.instagram.com/theatre_raleigh/, https://twitter.com/theatreraleigh, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBrPHqUNhtfRMWQ2Ej8Fxeg. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://theatreraleigh.com/location-parking/. COVID REQUIREMENTS: https://theatreraleigh.com/covid-19-updates/. JERSEY BOYS (2004 La Jolla, 2005 Broadway, and 2008 West End Jukebox Musical): https://jerseyboysinfo.com/, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/jersey-boys-394780, https://www.facebook.com/JerseyBoysBroadway, https://www.instagram.com/jerseyboysbroadway/, https://twitter.com/JerseyBoysInfo, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Boys, and https://www.youtube.com/user/jerseyboys. FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS: http://www.frankievallifourseasons.com/, https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/four-seasons, http://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-four-seasons/, https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Four-Seasons-American-music-group, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(band). NOTE: This show contains STRONG LANGUAGE, and may be inappropriate for children 12 and under. TICKETS: $30-$45, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-832-9997, [email protected], or [email protected]. PLEASE DONATE TO: Theatre Raleigh.

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