(4 / 5)
After a 12 year stint on Broadway from 2005 to 2017, 9 years in the West End and multiple tours across the world, Jersey Boys marks its 20th anniversary with a new tour sprawling across the United Kingdom. So, with the show ‘working its way back to’ Cardiff, does it still pack a punch and give us all a night to remember in 2026?
The audience demographic of the show is certainly varied, with all ages settling down around me to watch the rise to fame of four blue-collar boys from Jersey. This proves that the music is still as popular as ever and there was plenty of toe tapping and a quick jump to our feet to join in at the curtain call. The songs have truly stood the test of time, hit after hit ringing out from the Donald Gordon stage. It’s great to see that a band that started out in the 60s is still relevant and enjoyed by all age groups.
Jersey Boys differs from other Jukebox musicals in the way it chooses to tell its story. With each band member having an opportunity to tell the story in each of four seasons, (see what they did there?!), it means the plot never has a bias from one band member’s perspective. It also means that each cast member gets an opportunity to shine and connect with the audience. It does sometimes mean that some of the more emotional moments are slightly glazed over, but in a production that needs to pack so much in, this is a minor criticism.
The quartet themselves are excellently portrayed here. We start with Carlo Boumouglbay’s Tommy DeVito, the self proclaimed, one that started it all. He is a charismatic bad boy and Carlo delivers personality in spades. Even when he lands himself, and the band, in financial troubles, you can’t help but love him. Next up to the narrator role is Toby Miles’ Bob Gaudio. He adds another layer to the story of the band, the somewhat softer side, showing us the timeline of the band’s rise to success. Toby also excels in his role; the more reserved band member but holding his own amongst the more boisterous band members.
Third up is Nick Massi, portrayed by Lewis Kennedy. His comic timing is brilliant; his resonant low voice and dry sense of humour is captured so well by Kennedy. He delivers the less glamorous side of the band, giving us the ‘warts and all’ elements of the band’s climb to stardom. Finally, we hear from the frontman himself, Luke Baker’s Frankie Valli. His voice perfectly captures the infamous high falsetto of the man himself and he is certainly a worthy leading man. His rendition of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ is a showstopper and earns a worthy, long lasting, huge applause. Certainly a highlight of the evening.
The tour is the latest in a long line of productions of Jersey Boys and I am thrilled the show is still going as strong as it is. It is a Jukebox musical but it stands apart from others in the strong way it chooses to tell its story, its excellent songs which still truly stand the test of time, and an excellent cast who truly delivers. If you really want an evening that’s worthy of shouting ‘Oh What A Night!’ then Jersey Boys is in Cardiff for two weeks only. Don’t miss out on this spectacular 20th anniversary production.
The production plays until the 22nd August, more information and tickets can be booked here