STAGE WEST: CCAE Theatricals' "Jersey Boys"

Left to right: Taubert Nadalini, Nicholas Alexander, Anthony Carro and Noah Archibald in "Jersey Boys."                                                                                                         Photo courtesy of CCAE Theatricals

            When it was announced from the stage before the start of CCAE Theatricals’ production of “Jersey Boys” that it has been 20 years since the show world-premiered at La Jolla Playhouse I was like “What? Are you kidding me?” I won’t say it seems like yesterday that I saw “Jersey Boys” in La Jolla, but 20 years? Yikes.
            Once the show began, I forgot all about the passing of time and was very soon reminded why “Jersey Boys,” the musical story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is the undisputed king of jukebox musicals. Many try and few succeed in seamlessly integrating an artist or artists’ musical canons with a narrative that doesn’t feel strained or, worse doesn’t compete with rather than complement the songs. With its smart, gritty script by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, “Jersey Boys” is as narratively entertaining as an HBO limited series set in Joizy, minus any f-bombs (though it does have Joe Pesci) or bloodsport.
            But of course the music is marvelous – songs written by Four Seasons composer (and member) Bob Gaudio and record producer Bob Crewe. Funny … these are mostly songs that if they came on the radio – assuming you still listen to the radio – would jangle in one ear and out the other. To hear them live onstage, with a full band and an ensemble as stellar as CCAE Theatricals’ is frequently thrilling.
            Examples: The moment the guys perform Gaudio’s first hit, “Sherry.” The tenderness with which Frankie (Nicholas Alexander, in a knockout performance) croons “My Eyes Adored You.” The scintillating, deceptively simple pop fizz of “Walk Like A Man” or “Dawn (Go Away).” The second act “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” with brass from above that just about brought the opening night crowd to its feet in Escondido.
            Yeah, I kind of remembered all this from 2004, but in a way I’m glad it felt new to me. I’m able to appreciate it not only all over again, but more so.
            The CCAE Theatricals production is the first regional staging of “Jersey Boys.” There was a national touring production here in 2017 at the Civic Theatre downtown. It’s more immersive in a smaller space like Escondido’s. This cast, directed by T.J. Dawson, is top-shelf. Besides Alexander, who pulls off the remarkable feat of sounding much like Frankie Valli without imitating him, Anthony Carro is supreme swagger personified as Tommy DeVito, the Jersey boy who maintained – with some truth – that it was he who made the group happen. Taubert Nadalini and Noah Archibald complete the quartet as Gaudio and the laconic Nick Massi.
            Skyler Gaines and Lance Arthur Smith contribute nicely to multiple roles in the story, which transports our boys from struggling (and squabbling) dreamers to full-fledged pop stars, the latter coming with the strained and lost relationships, brushes with the mob and the kind of excesses that stardom brings with it.
            In Escondido, Janet Pitcher’s natty costuming and rhythmic choreography by Dana Solimando make the Four Seasons onstage much more than four guys singing at microphones. The show is alive in every sense of the word throughout its two hours and 30 minutes, which with lesser jukebox musicals can seem like an eon.
            A few sound glitches on opening night did not mar what had to be a joyous evening of Top 40 nostalgia for those in attendance, and perhaps more – a reminder of the towering talent of Valli and Gaudio in particular and a reminder too of why “Jersey Boys” is still big time 20 years after it arrived … and should be 20 years on.
            “Jersey Boys” runs through Oct. 6 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.