Jersey Boys return to Baltimore – and that’s a good thing
When I saw the schedule for the Hippodrome during the summer, I circled the mid-November show – Jersey Boys. That was one I definitely wanted to see for the third time. The show was at that venue years ago, but it was such a sensation, they brought it back. And a good move it was.
It opened on Broadway in 2005 and picked up a Tony Award for Best Musical and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album. The show is about the beginnings of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from their humble start on the streets of New Jersey to selling 174 million records worldwide while writing their own music and establishing a distinct sound.
The show will tell you things you probably didn’t know about the four guys, but more importantly will keep your hands clapping as they sing 33 songs, including five number one tunes. And that is really what the show is all about, the music. Most of us who have reached a certain age probably know all the songs and can sing along with them, as many audience members did the night I was there. Yes it is interesting to learn that Valli lost a daughter due to drugs, but again the music drives the show.
All four Jersey Boys are extremely talented, the audition process is a difficult one. And the supporting cast, all quite good and many of them play multiple roles. Beyond the acting, the show is quite a project to mount with 65 microphones, 609 lighting cues and 196 costumes. All this doesn’t include the movable stage parts. But you wont care about any of that, you’ll go to re-live the music of the 60s and 70s when Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were singing the songs we danced to all night long.
Ticket prices range from $32.50 to $112.25. Call 410-547-SEAT or go to broadwayacrossamercica.com. The show ends Nov. 24 so you better hurry.
By the way, the group had four songs that reached the top 10 with girls names. Dawn and Sherry were two of them. Can you name the other two?
Eddie Applefeld is a Baltimore native and a graduate of Towson University. He has been in the broadcasting profession for over 30 years. Currently he is the Promotions Director of WCBM radio. Before that, he was part of the Rouse & Company show on WQSR, host of a cable TV show called Dining Out and adjunct instructor at Towson.
His past accomplishments include being named a finalist in Baltimore Tourism’s Employee of the Year Program and winner of Toastmaster’s Speaker of the Year contest. He was also twice a heartthrob for the American Heart Association’s gala fund raiser.