Oh, what a night at 'Jersey Boys' indeed

By Noah Moore

Before I knew it, the house lights had dimmed and some French rap song started playing. I love surprises, and coming into The REV Theatre Company's Jersey Boys with little knowledge on the cultural impact of the Four Seasons only made this pleasant surprise that much more enjoyable. With genuine performances and a fascinating story filled with earworms, it's no surprise that I left the theatre with my toes tapping and fingers snapping. Oh, and that French rap song? It was a #1 hit in France, and featured the familiar tune of 'Oh, What A Night' but with...ya know, French rap.

The Four Seasons perform, after finally achieving their hard-fought success. Photos By Ron Heerkens, Jr. / Goat Factory Media Entertainment, LLC.

Jersey Boys premiered in 2006 as one of the blueprints for jukebox musicals. Telling the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' rise to fame with hits such as 'Sherry' and 'Walk Like A Man,' the show whirs through each of the four men's lives, chronicling the rise and fall and the tunes that came with each.

This production was led by the stellar Jess LeProtto as Frankie Valli, whose jazzy feet and incredible falsetto embodied the character well, and enchanted the audience. Rounding out the quartet are Caleb Massey as the bass, Nick, Jeffrey Keller as the street-smart Tommy, and Jake Mickel as hit-maker Bob. All four's voices sound godly when in unison, and the show's format allows for moments for each to shine. A fun tidbit is that Gyp DeCarlo is played by original Jersey Boys Broadway cast member John Leone--and his hilarious yet menacing performance was evidence of that.

Frankie, center played by Jess LeProtto, sits fearfully in the car with two thugs, played hilariously by Jared Svoboda and Matthew Krob. Photos By Ron Heerkens, Jr. / Goat Factory Media Entertainment, LLC.

The show's stage, designed by Marshall Pope and Chad Healy, features a smorgasboard of neon signs and jet-black steel, with spiral staircases and clever usage of levels. The lighting, by José Santiago, was impressive, creating beams of light as moments, not solely the circled spots they cast on stage. The technical elements worked well hand-in-hand, accentuated by glitzy and era-appropriate costumes by Tiffany Howard--suits, suits, and more suits has never felt less repetitive with her stylish nuance.

The music, featuring hits, is clearly the star of this show, and bring smiles to audiences regardless of age. Older patrons may recognize the songs of their youth, while younger ones may recognize 'Raindrops (An Angel Cried)' from Ariana Grande's Sweetener or 'Beggin'' from the viral Maneskin cover. Such is the fun, but also the credibility to the story--that their music is still interpolated today attests to their cultural impact and thus the existence of the show.

The show opens with 'Ces soirées-là,' a French radio hit featuring interpolations of 'Oh, What A Night.' Photos By Ron Heerkens, Jr. / Goat Factory Media Entertainment, LLC.

This show may be from 2006 and aimed toward those who lived the music in their adolescence, but I had a riotous time. The show's cast demonstrated such high artistry, assembled by director Brett Smock, and the show's fluidly-moving pace made for a night to remember--cue the 'Oh, What a Night' puns.

Check out the REV Theatre Company in Auburn, NY here:

The REV Theatre Company

Frankie, played by Jess LeProtto, speaks with Gyp DeCarlo, played by John Leone, about singing his favorite song. Photos By Ron Heerkens, Jr. / Goat Factory Media Entertainment, LLC.