About 14 years ago my lovely wife Junell came home with a surprise announcement. She had just received a bonus at work and she was going to take me to see “Jersey Boys” at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas.
Pardon the pun, but oh what a night we had as we watched the story of the creation of The Four Seasons and their lives away from the stage – memorable for completely different reasons.
Fast forward to this past Tuesday night at Bass Hall as we had an opportunity to see this amazing show again. While it has a different cast, it was every bit as powerful as I recalled and I already can’t wait to see it again – hopefully not waiting another decade and a half.
There was nothing like the music of the Four Seasons before or since their arrival. Anchored by Frankie Valli’s unique voice that could shift from falsetto through three ranges, their sound was groundbreaking and unforgettable.
But also mesmerizing is their story away from the spotlight, a tale of corruption, greed and clashing egos that resulted in as much heartbreak as their music brought joy. That story – and, of course, their phenomenal music – is at Bass Hall this week as “Jersey Boys” is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Performances are through Sunday, Nov. 8 for the latest in Performing Arts Fort Worth’s Broadway at the Bass Series presented by PNC Bank.
The tale of Valli and the rest of the original members of the Four Seasons (Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi) debuted on Broadway in 2006. It was an immediate success, winning four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Of course, the jukebox musical features all the songs that made the group legendary. “Sherry,” “Dawn,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” they’re all in there. So are later hits such as “December, 1963” and “Who Loves You,” as well as some of Valli’s solo work, including the moving “My Eyes Adored You” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” the latter featuring a fantastic horn section.
And while the music is certainly worth the price of admission on its own, the greater reason to see “Jersey Boys” is the compelling story that stands on its own strength.
The show features a script by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman – the latter who shares an Academy Award with Woody Allen for 1977’s “Annie Hall” and who was formerly the head writer for Johnny Carson. Fittingly, the story is told through the eyes of each of the four original members, each representing a season.
It starts with DeVito (played by Harry Sperduto) in the spring. It focuses on the group’s early days, complete with their respective run-ins with the law and even some time in prison for some.
DeVito, while being the driving force behind the group’s creation, was also the major reason in their personal demise years later.
DeVito steps up to save Valli from a would-be scandal. A loyal Valli will later return the favor and rescue him from a huge gambling debt, citing the code of the streets in Jersey, working for years basically for free even as DeVito challenges that loyalty over and over.
Gaudio (Peyton Schoenhoffer), who teamed with Bob Crewe (Andrew Sattler) to write most of the group’s hit songs, takes over narration in summer and it is here we find the origin of the
group’s name. It comes from the same bowling alley where DeVito ran a pin scam with the help of Joe Pesci (Grant Weathington) – yes the same guy who later won an Oscar for “Goodfellows.”
The beginning of Act II takes us into the fall portion of the story, told by Massi (Owen McCredie). We learn more about the internal strife in the group, which includes yet another misstep by DeVito – a betrayal against Valli, of all people. Also, Massi quits the band, citing the toll of being part of the group is taking on him and his family life.
Valli (Coby Oram) takes over narration in the winter portion of the show. While DeVito’s debt is eventually settled, a whole different set of trauma presents itself, including a family tragedy that would haunt Valli for the rest of his life.
So many people go through life wishing for a fraction of what these guys had, the talent, the fame. However, what does this serve if the joy that should go with it is elusive, particularly by one’s own doing?
Obviously, to make the show work, the character of Valli has to be a more than vibrant presence – and Oram certainly delivers, and not just musically. While he captures the vocals of Valli smoothly, he also expertly displays the singer’s dark soul and internal anguish that consumed him while off the stage.
Equally impactful is Sperduto. There are many reasons to want to like DeVito for bringing together such a legendary group and introducing the world to Valli. But it’s all undone by his inability to recognize that, just like their harmonies, the ultimate success was the magic of their combination and that he was only a part of that.
Musically, the quartet are a joy to watch. You’ll want to sing along, just as so many have done so often with their hits over the past six-plus decades.
But they mesh emotionally as well, perfectly spotlighting their respective positives and negatives that led to their high and lows. Each brings something special to the chemistry, the charisma of DeVito, who in turn is his own worst enemy; the visionary Gaudio, who also struggles with career insecurities; and the quiet and brooding Massi, who probably gave more attention to detail than any of the others.
Of the original Four Seasons, only Valli and Gaudio are still alive. Valli recently squelched rumors that, at age 92, he is not retiring from touring and folks everywhere are hoping that remains true.
Still, their performances as a quartet will live on forever, inviting listeners to sing along each time they hear one of their songs. So, too, will their story challenge audiences not to at least feel some sympathy for the group’s inability to savor that same wonder.
Pop stars or tragic heroes? The original Four Seasons were both.
‘Jersey Boys’ At Bass Performance Hall 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth
Nov. 3-8 Tickets are available through the only official outlets – online at www.basshall.com/jerseyboys or by calling 817-212-4280. The Performing Arts Fort Worth box office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For group sales discounts visit www.basshall.com/groups.