It's a Sign, Tommy - Jersey Boys at the Orpheum

It's a Sign, Tommy - Jersey Boys at the Orpheum

When I walked into the lobby of the Orpheum Theatre last night for the opening night Jersey Boys, I was greeted with this sign:

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).

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Jersey Boys Me…
[…] “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.” – Holly Whitfield of I Love Memphis […]
September 15, 2014 1:14pm
Jersey Boys Na…
[...] ILoveMemphisBlog.com to read the entire post. « Jersey Boys Is Mesmerizing in Memphis! [...]
January 29, 2010 12:11pm
I Love Memphis…
[...] see Jersey Boys. Seriously. Go. It’s one of the best theatrical performances I’ve ever been to. Be warned that there’s a fair helping of foul language and some mature themes in the show. [...]
January 29, 2010 12:43pm
I Love Memphis…
[...] there, I ran into Joe and Steve, the guys who play Frankie and Nick in the touring production of Jersey Boys that’s playing at the Orpheum. They’re both super nice guys, and they told me how much [...]
February 10, 2010 3:50pm