Theater Review – February 22, 2025

TPTC’S RICHLY ENTERTAINING “JERSEY BOYS” COULDN’T BE BETTER

“JERSEY BOYS”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Hormel Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

The jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” probes the development of The Four Seasons starring Frankie Valli and the story is fascinating.  The show uses the great collection of songs crafted by the group during their long and successful career but, unlike other jukebox shows, “Jersey Boys” tells the largely unknown backstory of the group’s many ups and downs.  It explores the changes in the singers and it explains how key song composer Bob Gaudio used the singer’s turbulent lives to develop many of their big hits.  It is a revealing story making “Jersey Boys” one of the best jukebox shows that have dominated Broadway in recent seasons.

The show hasn’t played much in the Valley but the richly entertaining and invigorating The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) staging couldn’t be better.  It equals the well-received Broadway version.  The local production is expertly cast and glides along with upscale energy as it encapsulates the members lives and how personal issues affected their professional existence.

Larry Raben’s staunchly enjoyable staging keeps things lively as the stories unwind and his staging is aided by choreographer Lauran Stanis’ perfectly recreated dances made famous by the Jersey Boys in live and television performances.  Colorful costumes instill the singers expected look and nice-looking and blithely movable sets coupled with dashing lighting gives the show the professional elan of a Broadway production.

If the wonderful performance amenities make this “Jersey Boys” stellar, it is the exemplary cast that turns this “Jersey Boys” into the artfully flawless presentation it truly is.  Noah Cornwell’s Frankie Valli captures the entertainer’s lushly piercing high notes that provided the character’s recognizable style.  Daxton Bloomquist couldn’t be better as Bob Gaudio who crafted the many song hits such as “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “I’m in the Mood for Love,” “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “C’mon Marianne,” and “Walk Like a Man” among the wonderful tunes included.

Justin Wolfe Smith brings the perfect swagger to big talking Nick DeVito who started the group but ignored his sizable debts. Noah Archibald is impeccable as the initially quiet but later big mouthed Nick Massi who decided not to let the group dominate his personal life.  Various supporting players handle the myriads of people who came in contact with or helped them become the popular entertainers they became. Kevin Robert White’s racy orchestra plays the popular tunes with spirit and sparkle.

“Jersey Boys” is quite an entertainment extravagance that will keep audiences happy as they fondly remember The Four Seasons.  It continues through May 4, 2025.  To order tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre Company box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: A