Jersey Boys At the Alexandra Theatre In Birmingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

The audience at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre have an extra special treat this December with a touch of West End magic in the form of Jersey Boys! This smash hit musical has won 65 major awards and has been seen by over 27 million people worldwide.

The musical tells the story of Frankie Valli’s rise to fame from how his New Jersey neighbourhood childhood shaped him, his friends and their way of life at the time which was often peppered by crime and of course the many bands he was in before finally forming the Four Seasons and subsequently taking the limelight himself.

It is presented like the four seasons with each character taking over narration of each season.

Spring focuses on the teenage years and the formation of what will later be the Four Seasons. Tommy Devito (played by Dalton Wood) his brother Nick devito and Nick Massi (played by Lewis Griffiths) discover the young Frankie (played by Michael Pickering for the first half and replaced by Luke Suri for the second half) and his astonishing voice. The Devito brothers are in and out of prison during this time and the band struggle to find their own musical style and sound. As the Spring comes to a close George Salmon playing Joe Pesci (yes The Joe Pesci later to become an Oscar winning actor) introduces the band to Bob Gaudi (played by Blair Gibson), who composes as well as performs, and the band is complete. Frankie Valli meets and marries Mary Delgardo (played by Emma Crossley), who he will later have two daughters with,

Summer sees Bob, excited to work with such an incredible voice as Valli’s and they strike a deal with Bob Crewe (played by Michael Levi) to sing backing vocals. However they feel their creativity is stifled. Eventually Crewe gives them some recording time and Bob writes three songs which become the great hits, Sherry, Walk like a Man and Big girls don’t cry.

Autumn and Winter see the brotherhood divided with Tommy racking up debts and love affairs coming between them. Gradually the band disassemble and life takes them on different paths. With Vali’s marriage over due to the amount of time he spends on tour he loses the bond with his daughter who tragically dies making him feel like a failure. However as the band are indoctrinated into the ubiquitous to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they reunite for one last time.

You will be amazed at how many recognisable tunes were written and performed by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and you are guaranteed to be up on your feet by the end! The songs all fall in with events in the life of Valli and the story is as compelling as the tunes are catchy. It really is a fantastic show and a wonderful evening that will have you singing the songs for days after. What a perfect way to spend the Christmas time and raise spirits.

The Alexandra Theatre is an incredible place to visit with its art deco facade and theme, comfortable seats and huge stage that ensures a fantastic view no matter where you are sitting. It is celebrating an amazing 120 years of being open so if you haven’t had a visit there – make this festive season one for you to try! Covid passes must be shown on arrival and mask wearing is encouraged.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £13 (plus £3.65 (transaction fee).

Jersey Boys is at Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until Saturday 1 January 2022

For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/jersey-boys/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/ or call the box office on 020 7206 1174

The Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS

Further tour dates can be found here https://jerseyboysmusical.co.uk/tour/