BWW REVIEWS: JERSEY BOYS at Providence Performing Arts Center

In the telling of their rags-to-riches story, Jersey Boys does for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons what Dreamgirls did for Diana Ross and the Supremes a generation before.  There are two distinct differences:  Jersey Boys does not intentionally fictionalize the story to protect the innocent or not so innocent and…and Jersey Boys hinges on Bob Gaudio’s brilliant original music.

The touring production brings four talented young men in the lead roles.  Matt Bailey plays Tommy DeVito, the driven and morally ambiguous founder of the group.  Steve Gouveia plays Nick Massi, the self-described “Ringo” of the foursome.  Ryan Jesse takes the role of songwriter/performer Bob Gaudio and Joseph Leo Bwarie embodies a young Frankie Valli.

Slick, sleek and with dazzle to spare, Act One is narrated by Tommy DeVito who tells his version of the fits, starts and near-death experiences of the nascent group. There are nearly two dozen songs in the first act; many are 12 - 24 bar snippets that give a flavor of frustrating studio sessions or nightclub gigs.  Most of the songs are given a full concert performance treatment of the group’s classic Top 40 Hits.  Listening to these full renditions is pure joy.

Act Two explores the sad unraveling of the original group and Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio’s valiant efforts to keep the Four Seasons relevant. Mr. Bwarie’s octave-jumping delivery of Frankie Valli’s signature style is, undoubtably, the star of the production.

Conductor Andrew Wilder and the Jersey Boys orchestra play consistently tight and hard. ‘December 1963 (Oh, What a Night), ‘Walk Like a Man’  and ‘Who Loves You’ are a few the songs that the audience expects to hear, and the actors and band deliver, beautifully.

Jersey Boys is, however, more, much more, than a Juke Box Musical or (God forbid) a cheesy Beatle-mania style show.  There is a flow-through narrative that does not shy away from the difficulties of life on the road and its cost to family.

Jersey Boys plays at the Providence Performing Arts Center through June 6, 2010.  Ticket prices start at $28.00. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, which is located at 220 Weybosset St. in downtown Providence, by calling (401) 421-Arts or by visiting www.ppacri.org.