Theater review: An overly complicated JERSEY BOYS at Palo Alto Players offers danceable music, too many scene changes but a fine quartet of singers
By JOANNE ENGELHARDT on March 10, 2025
The opening night audience for the Palo Alto Players’ production of “Jersey Boys” had to try hard not to get up and start dancing in the aisles as the very likeable foursome that eventually became known as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons went through a lot of iterations before becoming the quartet that was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Director Doug Santana found the right combination of singers when he selected James M. Jones to play Frankie Valli, Justin Kerekes to be Nick Massi, Andrew Cope as Bob Gaudio and Tyler Savin as Tommy DeVito. They split up many times, tried out other singers, but never found the sound they had together.
But sometimes all the quick scene changes and constant movement of props and people (17 actors, many of whom play multiple roles) gets in the way of the storyline and the songs.
Choreographer Witney Janssen kept busy with so many musical numbers, yet both the full production numbers and the small snippets of numbers are done well. Nick Kenbrandt keeps busy leading his large orchestra from the back of the stage – the better to enjoy all of “Jersey Boys’” wonderful musical numbers.
Costume designer Jenny Garcia also had her hands full creating costumes for the large cast. The costumes, especially for the dancers, are flashy, colorful and fun. One example: Danny Martin as Bob Crewe, a big-time music producer. (Martin’s outfit was made out of shinny satin bright yellow pants and a white satin shirt.)
John Mannion makes a commanding presence as a judge in a black robe as well as Gyp DeCarlo, a gangster, who makes life tough for several of the singers who owe the mob big time. (Every time DeCarlo shows up, several of the Jersey Boys owe him more money than they did in the previous scene!)
Melissa Momboisse also impresses in several roles, most especially as Lorraine (Frankie’s second wife). Skylar Riordan also plays a number of roles – including Joe Pesci! And he always seems to get on people’s nerves. The T also shows up in several roles – and each is memorable.
Finally, Samantha Kenbrandt is memorable in her role as Mary Delgado, although she also has several other roles as well.
At times there seems to be too many walks up one stairway to the catwalk by several actors, only to walk to the other side of the stage and down the other stairway. It just seems like filler.
Despite these shortcomings, the PAP production of “Jersey Boys” is definitely worth seeing. Especially if you’re of an age to remember all that wonderful “juke box music” like “Silhouettes,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Earth Angel,” “Short Shorts,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “My Boyfriend’s Back, “Bye Bye Baby” and so many more!
”Runtime for “Jersey Boys” is approximately two hours with one intermission.
Palo Alto Players at Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto 94301. Shows: Fridays and Saturdays: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sundays: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Closes: Sunday, May 4. For tickets, call 650.329.0891 or visit www.paplayers.org