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Saturday, September 08, 2012
Stage preview: 'Jersey Boys' gets under the skin
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: From rough streets and humble beginnings in New Jersey came the Four Seasons, a boy band that topped the pop charts during a chunk of the 1960s. Forty years later, the band's music and compelling backstory conquered Broadway as the "Jersey Boys," the global phenomenon that has piled on awards and box-office records since it opened on Nov. 6, 2005.
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2 comments:
Personally, Jersey Boys has never been a show I really wanted to see. I do enjoy music from that era and the doo wop/boy group harmonies, but the whole premise is basically Dreamgirls, except with guys. It falls a little flat for me. What interested me the most in the article was the casting required for touring shows. I definitely chuckled at "and one who can hit all the notes". But, it does raise a point about touring shows. Yes, the music and the script are the same, but often the set designs have to be changed to make the show more mobile, and the actors are definitely not the original cast. Is it worth it to go see touring shows and lose some of the quality that made the original stand out? My mindset is that I want to see the show, where ever it may be playing. But, if given the opportunity, I'll go see it on Broadway.
I personally love this show, well I really love the music and consequently enjoy the show. I could understand how some might not particularly enjoy it but it is entertaining. I ended up seeing it at the August Wilson Theatre this summer, and even though there were some aspects, (like the occasional pop art illustrations), that I didnt think really worked. There were some, like the tracking drum kit that were absolutely great. Even though it is mentioned in this article that that effect did not always go smoothly. I agree with Kelly in that the description of 'Frankie Camp' is funny to imagine. I also absolutely think that it is worth it to go see touring shows, because even not being part of the original cast does not speak to the quality of work that will be put onto stage. This show specifically, on one of the touring shows the man playing Frankie is Nick Cosgrove, who til this day is one of my favorite performers and Ive only seen him perform in a couple of pieces. So hands down I would go see this show again especially if Nick is playing Frankie.
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