Produced several times locally in the recent years leading up to the pandemic, the musical “Jersey Boys” has proven popular.
Subtitled “The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons,” the mix of grainy storytelling with old songs, many of which were written through Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, related to Maine and Bob Gaudio, wraps nostalgia in a very entertaining package.
WHAT: “Jersey Boys” from the Maine State Theatre
Or: Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St. , Westbrook
REVISED: September 2; continues until September 19
TICKETS: From $ 60
CONTACT: 207-725-8769; msmt. org
The Westbrook Performing Arts Center was recruited last spring as the site for the most recent production when programming uncertainty forced the Maine State Music Theatre to temporarily move its large-scale exhibits from its headquarters to Bowdoin College’s Pickard Theatre. Pickard’s charm, but when the screen has to pass, it works perfectly.
Unfortunately, “Jersey Boys” will represent the entire season of the main stage of the major state music theater. Other scheduled exhibits were canceled last August, due to poorly priced ticket sales attributed to pandemic food issues. the father for 2021.
The masked crowd on opening night, after being checked for evidence of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test, took a stand as the lamps dwindled and the story of New Jersey’s talented working-class youth began. The believable-sounding F-bomb melodrama, along with the music, was more than enough to appeal to the audience on a ride through the hitale of show business.
The evolution of the band’s sound into the taste of updated vocal organization that captured the global is concretized in a two-level set with pieces of Las Vegas brilliance. An underdisclosed organization supports the entire minimum set.
Battagliese, Skurnik, Wolf and Amira.
Beautiful performances through Joshua Charles Skurnik, Sam Wolf, John Battagliese and Matthew Amira have animated the history of the celebrated quartet. Skurnik gave Frankie Valli the serious commitment of a young man willing to put up with some of the shortcomings of his peers, especially the disturbing Tommy DeVito, played through Wolf as a sympathetic guy trapped in a crowd-infested underworld.
Skurnik’s approach to Valli’s outstanding falsetto voice was especially a hit on opening night. A believable effort, bolstered with a bit of electronic processing, powered by “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” among other hits. with “I can’t take my eyes off my shoulders” in the act of now.
Each of the other members of the organization had a moment or two to step forward. Battagliese is the balanced co-composer and “golden goose” Bob Gaudio who, along with Bob Crewe (Matt Loehr), necessarily conquered the world of popular music Matthew Amira, like the adorable fool Nick Massi, provided some of the comedic moments of an exhibition that closed its two and a half hours, with an intermission, with a “Who Loves You”.
Tony Lawrence Clements added a funny note like the bubbly and boring Joe Pesci in his pre-Hollywood years.
Singers and dancers often have cameos in what is, after all, an exhibit about the new jersey boys. Taylor Broadard and Emily Kelly were among those who stood out in their roles. a highlight.
Director Mark Martino, choreographer Kenny Ingram and others have put on a thoughtful and melodious display that captures both sight and hearing and helps keep the flame of the Maine State Music Theatre burning in this woefully shortened season.
Steve Feeney is a freelancer living in Portland.
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