Jersey Boys comes with a warning label.

I was instantly more excited about seeing the show.

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from their formation to fame to their eventual break up and induction into the Rock’n'Roll Hall of Fame. All of the trappings of a great episode of “Behind the Music” are there – in-fighting, girls, scams, debt.

The show is more like a rollicking concert than a Broadway musical. The super-energetic and fast paced show was almost solid music for the first ten minutes. Between (and sometimes during the songs), the four members of the band take turns as narrator. And because Jersey Boys the story of a band, all of the songs fit naturally into the show and there’s no random bursting into song.
It’s probably best that Jersey Boys comes with a warning label – it’s definitely not appropriate for audiences that can’t handle a heaping helping of “authentic, profane Jersey vocabulary”.

I was totally enamored with the cast, too. The actors (especially the ones who play the band) are wonderfully cast – fast-talking con man Tommy, angel-with-a-broken-halo Frankie, tightly wound Nick and lovably serious Bob (who looks like Mr. Schuster from Glee!) are all great fun to watch.

Jersey Boys will be at the Orpheum for three weeks (closing night is on Valentine’s Day), and there are still plenty of tickets left, especially for the weeknight shows. I highly recommend going to see it if you get the chance. It’s a fantastic, exuberant performance that’s a little irreverent, untraditional and completely fun.

You can order tickets via the Orpheum’s web site.

(Disclaimer note – my tickets were media tickets given to me by the Orpheum. This in no way affected the content of this review).

Before Rain took the stage at the Orpheum in Memphis, Tenn.

The Orpheum’s marketing coordinator, Thomas, hooked me up with tickets to see Rain, a Beatles tribute band that’s been described as the closest thing to seeing the real Beatles.

For a tribute band, Rain is pretty incredible. The members of the band bear pretty striking resemblances to the Beatles (the fake Paul McCartney was completely uncanny – he had Real Paul’s mannerisms down perfectly).

Rain played songs from every part of the Beatles’ career, starting with costumes and a set that resembled the Ed Sullivan show. Rain played all of the songs live. Between sets, screens on either side of the stage showed vintage commercials, footage of Rain and the Beatles, and lots of screaming girls.

The Saturday night show that I attended was close to sold out, and people were excited to sing and dance along with their favorite Beatles songs.

The next show at the Orpheum will be the three week-long run of the Broadway smash Jersey Boys.

Go There:

Orpheum Theatre

203 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103

16/365

I made this giant I Love Memphis sign in photographer Justin Burks’ studio on Friday afternoon.

Day 17:

17/365

This is the ceiling of the Orpheum Theatre. I stealthity snapped the picture before the lights went down at Saturday’s performance by Beatles tribute group Rain.

1. Wine Down at the Dixon, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Friday, 6 p.m., $30 non-members, $20 members

If the week had you a little keyed up, stop by the Dixon tonight for great wine, hors d’oeuvres and  music by Alston Meeks. The galleries will be open, so be sure to check out the Lichtenstein: In Process exhibit and the Lucite handbags (both exhibits close this weekend).

2. Rain: A Beatles Tribute, Orpheum Theatre, Saturday, 8 p.m.,  and Sunday, 7 p.m., Tickets start at $15.50

Rain has been called the “next best thing to the Beatles”. They’ll be bringing their multimedia show and live covers of hits spanning the Beatles entire career to the Orpheum this weekend. Chances are, no one will get mad if you decide you have to sing along.

3. Jack O. and the Tennessee Tearjerkers, Hi-Tone Cafe, Saturday, 10 p.m., $7

Former Oblivian Jack Yarber and his Tearjerkers will be playing at the HiTone on Saturday night. They play countrified garage rock with a sound that’s completely Memphis. If you’re unfamiliar with the current Memphis rock’n'roll scene, this show would be a great place to start.

4. Rock’n'Romp featuring Gustafer Yellowgold, the Kindergarden Circus and the Yazoo Shakes, Center for Southern Folklore, 3 p.m., Kids free, adults $5

This month’s Rock’n'Romp has a line up that’s going to make for the best playdate in Memphis -  musician / illustrator Gustafer Yellowgold from Brooklyn, the Kindergarden Circus from Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Memphis’ own Yazoo Shakes. There will be plenty of activities and room to dance for kids of all ages (and beer for those of age).

5. Visit the Civil Rights Museum, Open Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Admission $13 for adults

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, make a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. The museum is housed at the former Loraine Motel, the site of King’s fatal shooting. The National Civil Rights Museum still works to preserve Dr. King’s legacy of non-violence and civil rights for all.

Peter and the Wolf at the Orpheum Theatre

- The Orpheum has a touring production of Peter and the Wolf tonight. If your child wasn’t one of the dozens that went to see it on a school field trip this morning, you’ve got a second chance tonight. The show starts at 6 p.m. and lasts about 70 minutes. Tickets are  $12.50.

-The Brooks Museum is offering a $1 discount to anyone who arrives on a bicycle. I love this idea – the Brooks is in Overton Park, which already has awesome bike trails through the Old Forest.

- If you’re feeling a little lonely, downtown gastropub South of Beale is having their first ever speed dating night on Nov . 21. It’s only $10 to go on 8-12 5-minute dates. Here’s how it works – register, show up, go on your mini-dates. Write the names of the people you liked on your date card. Turn the card in. If any of your people listed you on their cards, you’ll be sent contact information. It sounds fun – if you’re going to try it, I’d love to hear about it.