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Monday, 21 December, 2009 3:02 AM

'Jersey Boys' is spectacular at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit

Photo credit: www.broadwayindetroit.com

Josh Franklin, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Steve Gouveia and the Company of Jersey Boys.

DETROIT -- This is a story about four boys from the streets of New Jersey who made it big in the 1960's. Tommy DeVito (played by Matt Bailey) wanted to start a band with his cousin Nick Massi (Steve Gouveia). He meets Francesco Castelluccio (Frankie), played by Joseph Leo Bwarie, under a street lamp in Jersey. They form a trio and break into churches to practice singing. They were called the Three Lovers.

Tommy feels the 16-year-old needs some guidance with women. Finally, Frankie meets Mary Del Gado in a club and eventually marries her. While looking for a fourth person, they meet Bob Gaudio, who is a songwriter and singer. He wrote the famous one-hit wonder "Short Shorts."

Bob Crewe (Jonathan Hadley) their talent agent, represents the Four Lovers. He told them they wrote songs but no hits. He challenged them to writefour more songs and he'll turn them into hits. The group changes their name to the Four Seasons after the Four Seasons bowling alley. Also, Frankie changes his name to Valli with an "i".

They finally get a gig on American Bandstand with their first hit "Sherry". The next hit was "Big Girls don't Cry," then came "Walk Like a Man.". "Oh What a night" was their next hit. The big night was when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show when they sang "Dawn."

During the middle of the tour, Nicky wanted to quit the band. Tommy is out too. Bob doesn't want to do this anymore either. He wants to write and produce. Frankie finds new band members. Bob suggests for Frankie to become the front man. So now they call themselves "Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons."

The original Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Detroit performances of Jersey Boys are directed by Des McAnuff. The musical is written by Marshal Brickman and Rick Elice with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

There are 19 actors for the Jersey Boys musical in Detroit. It took seven weeks for casting for the show. There are a total of 33 songs in the show including five number one hits, and 11 songs that made Billboard's top 10. There are 196 total costumes in the show. Frankie does 15 costume changes, Tommy does 12 costume changes, Nick has 11 and Bob has 10. The fastest costume change takes nine seconds when Mary Delgado gets out of the car and into her robe for "My Eyes Adored You."

The lights were really bright during the performance at the Ed Sullivan Show, and we had to hold our playbook over our faces. There was lots of swearing and may not be suitable for young children. The set and costume changes were great. The music was nostalgic and everyone left with a smile on their face. It was a fabulous performance, I would definitely recommend seeing Jersey Boys.

It is playing at the Fisher Theatre from December 17-January 23, 2010. Tickets are $34-$84 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, 1-800-982-2787 and at www.broadwayindetroit.com.

Click here for more information on "Jersey Boys" at the Fisher Theatre.

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