“Jersey Boys” hits all the right notes in off-Broadway show

Beef & Boards continues its promising 2024-25 season with Jersey Boys, the hit musical about the formation, struggles, and successes of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Having grown up with an admiration for that group, I was looking forward to finally seeing this show – I was not disappointed.

Jersey Boys came to Broadway in 2005, winning a Tony Award as Best Musical in 2006. The show ran for over a decade, ending in 2017 before reopening a few months later at an off-Broadway venue. It features a unique – for that time – biographical format, presented in a documentary style with each of the four band members telling a part of the band’s story. The book was written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice after they had conducted interviews with the principals.

B&B’s production is directed by Candi Boyd, a former cast member of the show both on Broadway and in its National Tours. Her understanding of the subject matter shines through allowing the flow of the story to be both well developed and lively.

Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo stars as Frankie Valli with an astonishing performance. His portrayal of the singer goes beyond his impressive Valli-like vocal talent. DiCostanzo brings a range of polished acting skills to the role as well. Transforming from a youthful and talented innocent to a polished performer, his previous experience in the role (this being his ninth production) makes his efforts here quite noteworthy.

The Four Seasons (from left): Nick Massi (Logan Moore), Tommy DeVito (Kyle Southern), Frankie Valli (Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo), and Bob Gaudio (Nikita Burshteyn). (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)

Joining him as Four Seasons members are a mix of familiar and new faces. Kyle Southern returns to B&B as a feisty Tommy DeVito and B&B regular Logan Moore impresses as bass player, Nick Massi. Making his Beef & Boards debut is Nikita Burshteyn as gifted song writer, Bob Gaudio.

Joey Boos plays record producer Bob Crewe with panache, Peyton Reilly is strong as Valli’s wife – Mary Degado, Jasmine Michelle Smith is aptly featured as Valli’s girlfriend Lorraine, and Jeff Stockberger plays what seems like a dozen various characters – landing strongest as mobster Gyp DeCarlo.

The entire cast elevates the storytelling with outstanding performances of the over 30 musical numbers that display the growth and progression of the famous vocal group.

Technical aspects shine as well. Sean McIlquham’s well-thought-out set adds dimension to the many locales of the story, as do the projections by Zach Rosing. Costuming coordinated by Kathy Henry fills the demands of different eras and dozens of song presentations, while the lighting designed by Ryan Koharchik is essential to portray the various venues. Daniel Hesselbrock’s sound structure is spot-on in each of the many numbers.

Bottom line: B&B’s production of Jersey Boys is a pleasure to see on many levels – not only from the striking nostalgia of hearing so many favorite songs from the past, but also to see the tale of these performers’ efforts to succeed. Top that with the sparkling portrayals and performances, and this is a show not to miss. Highly recommended!

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