Jersey Boys good not great

PEORIA -- The road show of the hit musical Jersey Boys plays at the Peoria Civic Center through Feb. 23.

We saw it last night, Feb. 16.  We expected a lot, since numerous friends who have seen it in Chicago loved it. And the Peoria event was well done, well staged, well performed. 

But it's not a great musical.  It's a rather pedestrian story of how some talented guys from New Jersey negotiate and overcome ties with the mob and personal problems to become stars.

There's no satire, just a simple narrative backed up by the songs written and performed by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. 

If you're of a certain age, you remember them.  They were a bit stupid then, and remain so despite the slick staging of the musical.  I think this music was once called 'bubble gum rock'  for a reason.

So -- the musical was entertaining but forgetable, not on the same stage with Rent, Phanton of the Opera, Spamalot, South Pacific and dozens of others that tackle real issues with stunning new music, and not just strive to entertain.

This was a non-Actor Equity cast with a couple of Equity Actors.  All were good, especially Bryan Hindle, the understudy for the actor playing Frankie Valli. It's amazing how well an understudy can carry off a complicated musical which involves cues, singing, dancing, and acting. He even looks like Valli.

Another note -- the cast sometimes played multiple roles.  I'm wondering if this occurred in the original cast performance, or is a money saving adaptation for the road show.

Anyway, Jersey Boys is entertaining, though not profound, and worth seeing for an evening of light entertainment.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Comments

[mecindylewis]

I would love to surprise my Boyfrien with tickets to this show . . .