*****As you know, the drive to Milwaukee is pretty easy, and its theaters are wonderful. Last night, Jane and I tried something different. Instead of driving up to the Marcus Performing Arts Center, parking in the indoor garage, and spending some time in the lobby with snacks, we stopped in Kenosha at a Texas Roadhouse ( a unique experience in itself) and then drove the rest of the way to downtown Milwaukee. We found FREE parking, on the street in front of the theater. This was a first, and something we could never do in Chicago. FYI- The theater now offers a program called “The Sound Of Music-Broadway Bites” with a pre-show buffet in the building. I think we will do this in one of the upcoming shows.
“Jersey Boys”, the story of Franki Valli and The Four Seasons is celebrating 20 years and I am pretty sure that this production will be in Chicago in the very near future.With a book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, we get to watch the story unfold and listen to some of the greatest hits of our time. There was a young teen sitting in front of us, who had no knowledge of the Four Seasons, but at intermission was truly into it and by the curtain call was humming along. It turns out, our younger generation knows the music, just not how it became what it is. This story, and the way it is told, clears that up, and for us “old timers” brings back a lot of great memories!
Using the original direction by Des McAnuff and choreography by Sergio Trujillo, “Jersey Boys” is the story of how this group was formed, the music they created, the personalities of its members, and the roads they took to reach the stardom they hit. The characters, based on the real men were played well and as written, we feel that the actual personality is talking to us and letting us in on their dirty little secrets. Tommy DeVito, who started it all is played to perfection by Harry Sperduto, Nick Massi byOwen McCredie, Bob Gaudio by Peyton Schoenhofer and Frankie Valli by the incredible Coby Oram ( I am sure that Andrew Martin Maguire, who does some performances, is just as powerful). When he solos with “Fallen Angel” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”, if you close your eyes, you will be transported to the 1970’s and feel as if you are listening to Frankie himself.
This is a show filled with great musical memories, a simple set, and a solid ensemble of players who dance, sing and play characters ( like JoePesci (Grant Weathington is adorable). If you lived during that period, you will be in heaven as you hear “Let’s Hang On”, “Rag Doll”, “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and so many others. Each member of the group tells “his story”, and we get to piece it all together.
“Jersey Boys” will continue thru the 25th with performances as follows:
The Marcus Center, Uihlein Hall is located at 929 North Water Street
Hey Chicago- if you can’t get up to Milwaukee, I am pretty sure this is the same tour that will reach Chicago in November as part of the Broadway in Chicago line-up. If you do head up to Milwaukee and do the Broadway Bites, let me know how good it was.
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