By CHARLES WHALEY
— • “Jersey Boys” runs through Aug. 15 at the Kentucky Center. For tickets and information call (502) 584-7777 or go to www.jerseyboysinfo.com
If you go to “Jersey Boys” at the Kentucky Center just to revel in those numerous hit songs of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth and conclude, “Oh, What a Night.”
But this touring show in the PNC Broadway Across America series is much more than a jukebox musical, thanks to book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and director Des McAnuff. It brings to life the warts-and-all biographies of its working-class strivers.
Some of those strivings lend themselves to show-biz clichés — obtuse record companies that reject what becomes a chart-topping song, ego clashes among the principals, and marital and parental problems that stem from long periods on the road.
But the glorious songs by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, socked home by an incredible foursome led by Joseph Leo Bwarie as Valli, obliterate all reservations.
Equally impressive as Valli’s singing partners are Matt Bailey as cocky Tommy DeVito, who mentored him; Steve Gouveia as Nick Massi, and Ryan Jesse as Gaudio, the musical genius whose songs catapulted the group to stardom.
“Let’s face it,” says Tommy, “we put Jersey on the map.” On their way to the top, however, these neighborhood boys (Gaudio was an exception) did some jail time for petty crime and had advantageous mob connections, personified by Joseph Siravo as Gyp DeCarlo.
Gaudio, introduced to the boys by another neighborhood kid, Joe Pesci (Pesci’s later migration to Hollywood is another story), wrote songs that gave the Four Seasons three number one hits in a row — ”Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man.”
Frankie and his wife Mary (Candi Boyd) split not long after that, a cue for another audience favorite, “My Eyes Adored You.”
So many more come tumbling throughout act two — “Bye Bye Baby,” “C’mon Marianne,” “Working My Way Back To You,” “Fallen Angel” (after the death at age 22 of his daughter Francine), “Rag Doll,” and “Who Loves You?”
In an abundance of musical riches, Valli’s intense falsetto reaches the heights with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” triggering extended thunderous applause for a showstopping moment.
The real Valli hasn’t faded away. He’s still out there touring as “Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.” And he’ll be at the Kentucky Center for a Sept. 19 appearance, a month after “Jersey Boys” departs Louisville.
