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Jersey Boys is back in town. Ever since it opened in London almost 14 years ago I’ve heard rave reviews and couldn’t wait to finally see it for myself. Last night I did and this morning I can add my voice to that of over 27million others who love it! 

Jersey Boys has won Broadway’s Tony, London’s Olivier and Australia’s Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical, and has been the winner of 57 major awards worldwide, so what’s it all about!

Jersey Boys is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30.

The show is packed to the rafters with hits, including plenty from fabulous ’80’s films like Dirty Dancing and Stand by Me. Highlights for me were; Sherry, Beggin’, Walk Like A Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Bye Bye Baby, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You. But my absolute favourites were My Eyes Adored you and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You- Absolutely flawless singing from Luke Suri and the whole cast. It was hit after hit after hit! 

I had absolutely no idea the Four Seasons had sung all those hits that have stood the test of time – it was almost impossible not to sing along to them all. 

Jersey Boys is a Liverpool favourite and it is brilliant to see it back again. The theatre was packed and everyone was enthralled by the story as much as the songs. It tarts in 1950s New Jersey where chancer Tommy DeVito (Dalton Wood making his Jersey Boys debut and doing it brilliantly) splits his time between his band, with its ever-changing names, and spells in a correction facility for various misdemeanours.  There was a lot more swearing than I’d bargained on and but the show really came together as the 4 band members find each other and start to perform together and you begin to understand how the 4 created such a unique sound.

The first act is fairly lengthy, but at all times you are engaged, the show literally never stops. It made me wish I’d been around in that era- a real musical magical age.  set is simple yet perfectly formed and used really well throughout. I loved the way that each of the group got an opportunity to share their side of the story, as they said, everyone sees things differently and has their own reasons and experiences, even when performing and touring together. I also gained a bit of pub quiz knowledge about actor Joe Pesci- look out for that! 

The audience was toe tapping and head bobbing throughout and I think without the requests that singing and dancing was saved for the curtain call I think we would have all been dancing in the aisles. 

Jersey Boys is an absolutely fantastic, feel good show and I would definitely be happy to go again next time it is here. 

You can get tickets here.

NB: I received tickets to see the show but all views and opinions are my own.