Theatre Raleigh Puts a Whole New Spin on Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys at Theatre Raleigh stars (from left) Rob Marnell (front) as Bob Gaudio, Rory Max Kaplan as Tommy
DeVito, Randy Cain as Nick Massi, Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

Jersey Boys, which tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, has been a fan favorite since its premiere in 2004. However, for most viewers, this jukebox musical, with familiar music and lyrics by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, takes place on a massive stage and is viewed in a crowded room. That's not the case with Theatre Raleigh's production of Jersey Boys, onstage now through Sunday, April 23rd.

The Theatre Raleigh Arts Center's intimate space, combined with Matt Bogart's seamless direction, puts a whole new spin on this much-loved musical. In fact, it's fair to say that, unless you've seen Jersey Boys like this, you haven't really seen https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/jersey-boys-394780, Jersey Boys.

In the smaller space, every lyric and every line of dialogue is clearly audible. Viewers also get to witness every smile, every tear, and every handshake, allowing the script's humor and emotions to shine. On top of that, audience members are treated to perfect performances by a seasoned cast.

Troubled Tommy DeVito (played by Rory Max Kaplan) starts off the storytelling. And, from his first line to his last smarmy glance, he's pure perfection. Kaplan puts on a thick accent and a cocky demeanor to bring the character to life and creates a Tommy who is a study in opposites. He's confident and insecure, caring and selfish, successful and self-destructive. And, thanks to sharp writing by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elise, and Kaplan's even sharper characterization, Tommy DeVito never fully crosses into villain territory. Instead, he becomes a living, breathing person, one who is both complete and imperfect.

Theatre Raleigh's production of Jersey Boys stars Jasmine Michelle Smith and Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

Of course, DeVito isn't the only narrator. Each of the band members takes us through a "season" of the group's life and shares their struggles on the way to the top. As Nick Massi, artfully portrayed by Randy Cain, puts it, "You sell a hundred million records; see how you handle it."

Frankie Valli, played by a charming and vocally gifted Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo, struggles with romance, with his roots, and with standing on his own two feet, while other members struggle with their personal relationships and the harsh realities of a life -- even a successful one -- lived on the road. Together, they tell a compelling story of how life influences art and how art influences life.

From the hilarious sexual revolution of Bob Gaudio (Rob Marnell) to Tommy DeVito's not-so-funny battles with gambling and loan sharks, each character is fully realized, and the chemistry between the four leads is palpable. Through them, the script explores the complex relationships that develop between men, and the rich, vulnerable acting allows their connection to become a character of its own.

Jersey Boys stars (from left) Rory Max Kaplan as Tommy DeVito (lead guitar), Rob Marnell as Bob Gaudio (keyboards), Gian
Raffaele DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli (lead singer), and Randy Cain as Nick Massi (bass) (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

As viewers contemplate the lives playing out on stage, Candi Boyd's energetic choreography and Bogart's fast-paced direction keep the story moving swiftly. Wigs, costumes, and even time-appropriate microphones are swapped out with ease; and a rotating ensemble cast effortlessly steps into the role of various side characters. In particular, Vincent Genna (Gyp DiCarlo and others), Brenna Carleton Green (Mary Delgado and others), and Jasmine Michelle Smith (Lorraine and others) fill in as multiple characters without ever missing a beat.

All of this action plays out on Chris Bernier's gorgeous, multi-functional two-level set. The top tier serves as everything from a rundown jail to the bustling Brill Building, while the lower level works as countless venues and the lamplit streets of New Jersey. Two illuminated poster displays are used to help set time and place and add oft-missed clarity to the story.

In many ways, this production of Jersey Boys is a whole new experience, even for those who have seen the show countless times before. It's so sleek, so streamlined, so detailed, and incredibly up-close-and-personal. It has no room to get away with the minor mistakes or imperfections so common in bigger productions, and it faces this challenge head-on without faltering. The show serves as perfect evidence of the unique gift Theatre Raleigh brings to the Triangle: intimate, Off-Broadway-style experiences.

Jersey Boys stars (from left) Rob Marnell as keyboard player Bob Gaudio, Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo as lead singer Frankie Valli,
Randy Cain as bass player Nick Massi, and Rory Max Kaplan as lead guitarist Tommy DeVito (photo by Jennifer Robertson)

Bob Gaudio, Bob Crewe, Marshall Brickman, and Rick Elise's JERSEY BOYS (In Person at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 9, 12-16, and 19-23), directed by Matt Bogart and choreographed by associate director Candi Boyd, with music direction by Brian Whitted, and starring Gian Raffaele DiCostanzo as Frankie Valli, Rory Max Kaplan as Tommy DeVito, Rob Marnell as Bob Gaudio, and Randy Cain as Nick Massi (Theatre Raleigh at the Theatre Raleigh Arts Center at 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd. in Raleigh). TRAILERS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXAWAA8ds3o and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KSQViUB89Y. 2023 SEASON: https://theatreraleigh.com/2022-main-stage-season/. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: https://theatreraleigh.com/, https://www.facebook.com/TheatreRaleigh, https://www.instagram.com/theatre_raleigh/, https://twitter.com/theatreraleigh, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBrPHqUNhtfRMWQ2Ej8Fxeg. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://theatreraleigh.com/location-parking/. COVID REQUIREMENTS: https://theatreraleigh.com/covid-19-updates/. JERSEY BOYS (2004 La Jolla, 2005 Broadway, and 2008 West End Jukebox Musical): https://jerseyboysinfo.com/, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/jersey-boys-394780, https://www.facebook.com/JerseyBoysBroadway, https://www.instagram.com/jerseyboysbroadway/, https://twitter.com/JerseyBoysInfo, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Boys, and https://www.youtube.com/user/jerseyboys. FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS: http://www.frankievallifourseasons.com/, https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/four-seasons, http://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-four-seasons/, https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Four-Seasons-American-music-group, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_(band). NOTE: This show contains STRONG LANGUAGE, and may be inappropriate for children 12 and under. TICKETS: $30-$45, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-832-9997, info@theatreraleigh.com, or boxoffice@theatreraleigh.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: Theatre Raleigh. Pamela Vesper and Kelly Nelson's Triangle Review Review Permalink. Susie Potter's Triangle Arts Review Review.

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