{"id":356499,"date":"2024-07-03T19:26:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T23:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=356499"},"modified":"2024-07-03T19:26:42","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T23:26:42","slug":"four-seasons-bio-musical-jersey-boys-is-terrific-fun-at-tobys-dinner-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2024\/07\/03\/four-seasons-bio-musical-jersey-boys-is-terrific-fun-at-tobys-dinner-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Seasons bio-musical ‘Jersey Boys’ is terrific fun at Toby’s Dinner Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s just too good to be true, but it is!\u00a0Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons<\/em> at Toby\u2019s Dinner Theatre in Columbia is terrific fun. I couldn\u2019t take my eyes off the four leads\u2014Nicky Kaider (as Frankie Valli), Patrick Gover (as Tommy DeVito), Ben Clark (as Bob Gaudio), and Benjamin Campion (as Nick Massi).<\/p>\n

When these four were on the stage together performing such classics as “Cry for Me,\u201d \u201cSherry,\u201d \u201cBig Girls Don\u2019t Cry,\u201d and \u201cMy Eyes Adored You\u201d the stage lit up. To be even more specific, the on-stage chemistry between the four actors lit up the entire theater in the round.<\/p>\n

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Frankie (Nicky Kaider) with Nick, Bob, and Tommy (Benjamin Campion, Ben Clark, and Patrick Gover) in \u2018Jersey Boys.\u2019 Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jersey Boys <\/em>tells the story of an era, from the tough streets of Newark, New Jersey, in the 1950s to the group’s tumultuous rise with appearances on American Bandstand <\/em>and The<\/em> Ed Sullivan Show<\/em>, chart-topping hits, and ultimately, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.<\/p>\n

With over 100 million in record sales worldwide, the quartet started by playing bars and bowling alleys. At first, led by wise guy Tommy DeVito, played with fast-talking pizzazz by Gover, the group seems destined to fail.<\/p>\n

However, when his pal, Joe Pesci (played with Jersey humor for big goofball laughs by Christopher Decker), introduces the trio to Bob Gaudio, a one-hit wonder composer known for his pop song delight \u201c(Who Wears) Short Shorts\u201d that he wrote at age 15, their fate turns.<\/p>\n

With a little help from Bob Crewe, the famous lyricist\/music producer (played by David James in some scene-stealing moments), and from mobster Gyp DeCarlo (performed with old-time mobster maudlin perfection by Brian Lyons-Burke), the Four Seasons are ready for the big time.<\/p>\n

While the music was soon a big success, their personal lives were big failures with divorce, gambling debts, and in-fighting. This is when the story moves Frankie Valli to centerstage, and Nicky Kaider is just a delight to watch. At every turn, with every note, he displays a charm and charisma that glides the audience in and out of every one of his numbers. And what a voice \u2014 Kaider hits all the notes with the same smooth, silky, wide range of the original (and for your information, Frankie Valli is still performing on tour at age 90!) \u2014especially as he takes on the ballads from \u201cMy Mother\u2019s Eyes\u201d to \u201cFallen Angel.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Four Seasons: Frankie (Nicky Kaider) with Tommy, Bob, and Nick (Patrick Gover, Ben Clark, and Benjamin Campion) in \u2018Jersey Boys.\u2019 Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This fast-paced show features 34 songs, a rocking live six-piece band conducted by Ross Scott Rawling, and a story that spans the decade-long career of this iconic group.<\/p>\n

Toby\u2019s up-close production also shows some terrific moves throughout \u2014 the Four Seasons styled sharply in skinny ties and tight bright sports jackets \u2014 slid in time across each song and were only matched by the high-energy dancing of the rest of the cast. Kudos to costume designer Heather C. Jackson. Director\/choreographer Mark Minnick and this terrific cast shows us who loves you in every single number (including the big end with \u201cWho Loves You\u201d with The Four Seasons and the entire company!).<\/p>\n

You might have seen the Broadway or touring show, or the movie version of Jersey Boys<\/em>; however, there is such energy, joy, and chemistry in this production at Toby\u2019s that as they would say in Jersey, it\u2019s the God\u2019s-honest-truth, so help me, that it is worth seeing again, or for the very first time.<\/p>\n

Running Time: Two hours and 30 minutes plus a 20-minute intermission.<\/p>\n

Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons<\/strong><\/em> <\/a>plays through September 1, 2024, at Toby\u2019s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, MD. Tickets ($63\u2013$86) can be purchased by calling 410-730-8311 or online<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The menu is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n