‘Oh What A Night…’ Jersey Boys, Piccadilly Theatre, London. 20.01.2017

So being only 2 days since I have been in a theatre, I couldn’t bare it any more and headed to my favourite city to see my first Musical of 2017!

This Jukebox musical sadly announced that it was closing late 2016, so its a given i had to catch it before it leaved! it has performed in the west end since 2008, Jersey Boys performed in two theatres during this time, the Prince Edward, and tonight’s viewing was at the Piccadilly Theatre. A First for me, I have passed this theatre many times, but never had the chance to step inside, so was intrigued as to what was on in the inside.

I had purchased these tickets early December with the fantastic annual Get Into London Theatre/See Ticket deal where top West End shows Partake in providing the best seats for the discounted prices of £20, £30, and £40 (depending on where you what to sit) running from the beginning of January to the 10th February. Its a brilliant way to have something to look for in the New Year when Christmas is over, and also you can get the tickets before your broke! As this would be my first and last chance to see this show, myself and Hayleigh (my partner tonight) opted for the £40 tickets in the Dress Circle of the Piccadilly Theatre, and when entering the auditorium and taking our seats, we made the right choice. Smaller than I thought on the inside, it is made up of 3 Tiers, Stalls, Dress Circle, and Grand Circle. We were Row C seats 23, and 24 tonight, and although we were to the left end of the row, the view was perfectly fine, you could see the full stage, and face expressions without an issue, so would recommend these seats, but happy we got them at the price we did!

Jersey Boys is a Jukebox Musical, which tells the story of the Jersey Band The Four Seasons, and how Tommy DeVito, created the bank with Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio, and Frankie Valli. The musical is structured as four “seasons”, each narrated by a different member of the band who gives his own perspective on its history and music, and throughout we hear their famous songs that had everyone dancing, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Sherry’,  ‘December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)’, Can’t Take my Eyes Off You’ and ‘Walk Like A Man’ to name a few! I throrougly enjoyed this musical as although I knew some of the songs, being that my Grandad loved the Four Seasons, there were some that I didn’t know were his, and not knowing the story behind them such as their involvement with the Mob, Frankie’s Daughter, and Tommy’s gambling predicament it opened me up to want to learn more about them.

The Show is made up of a small cast, which made it that little bit more intimate, we had some understudies tonight, but there as no complaints my end! The cast tonight was:

Frankie Valli – Matt Corner

Tommy DeVito – Simon Bailey

Bob Gaudio – Chris Stoddart (1st Cover)

Nick Massi – Joe Maxwell (2nd Cover)

Mary Delgado – Lucinda Gill

Lorraine – Nicky Griffiths

Francine – Helen Ternent

Joe Pesci – Will Haswell

Bob Crewe – Mark Dugdale

Gyp DeCarlo – Mark Heenehan

As many of the swings play many different roles than the ones that I’ve stated above and to it brilliantly well in changing character, and all worked well as a team.

The main four guys however, what can I say? They did the four season’s proud! You also wouldn’t have believed that we were watching 1st and 2nd covers (mainly as we didn’t know until after we watched the show they were understudies) but I’ve always said I come for the show not for the performers (sometimes…depends really) and respect the understudies and not only do they need to learn their own role, but learn another on top of that a principle role, and both Max and Chris shone in their roles, Chris demonstrated the innocent, yet talented Bob Gaudio who wrote most of the Jersey boy hits, and Max low voice is so strong that you wanted to see how low he could go!

There was one performer tonight that I had seen prior to the show tonight, Simon Bailey. I had seen him last in ‘I Can’t Sing – The X Factor musical’ playing the spin off role of Dermot O’Leary ‘Liam O’Leary’ but tonight’s role of Tommy was very different, and less cuddly at times. Tommy DeVito was the founder in ways of the Four Seasons discovering Frankie he brought the team together, however Italian raised in America, his associations with the mob, and gambling addiction was trouble from the start.  Simon played him so well, a strong character, yet comic in moments that had the audience chuckling! At times he reminded me even of the Character Joey from Friends when he was having a comic moment, (the notice of the sign, and the understanding of the song ‘Walk Like a Man’), I did tell Simon this at the stage door, and although he had never heard it before he could understand the relation and Joey is Italian/American too! He was a delight to see again and I look forward to what he has in store for the future!

A big mention must go to the Frankie Valli of tonight’s show, played by Matt Corner, wow! To be able to portray a famous well loved singer must be a challenge but Matt took it in his stride, and his voice, if you closed your eyes you would believe you were listening to Frankie himself! But the extra thing you get from watching him is his Journey, Frankie started with the band when he was at a very young age, and grew up touring, and singing throughout, he struggled to keep his family together (Divorcing his first wife, Daughter running away, and girlfriend breaking up with him), but also keep the band afloat too.  His dedication was well displayed and you could see the passion, and love he had for what he was doing, and trying to do at times. I would go back again and again (if I had the chance) just to watch and hear him sing again…in fact just to hear them all sing again would be great!

Jersey Boys are continuing to play their final performances until the 26th March 2017, for tickets you can go to the official site here. However they have announced a second tour commencing at the end of December, they haven’t announced all the venues yet but a website has been set up for info here.  What I loved the most about seeing this show, was that you could see the audience loving every moment, dancing in their seats and singing along, mainly those of the Four Seasons era, so its one to take you mum and dad to, or even your grandparents! Not to say any age won’t love it cause it teaches them about the classics of the past! I would consider going to see it again, if it comes to a venue near me! But I am so glad that I got to see if before it left the West End, and also now intrigued as to what will enter the Piccadilly Theatre next (rumour is Finding Neverland) but I won’t wait as long for that show!