Singing Along With the Jersey Boys

“How did four blue-collar kids become one of the greatest successes in pop music history?” That’s the story told in the smash hit juke-box style musical, Jersey Boys. Based on the lives of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, the story chronicles their rise from being blue-collar kids to musical superstars. The Palazzo Resort Hotel and Casino offers nightly shows of this Tony Award-winning play.

The story plays off the “Four Seasons” – designating each season of the year as a time in the lives of the group. Each “season’s” tale is told from a different perspective; each member of the group tells his story. Spring finds the Four Seasons as small boys with big dreams growing up in housing projects and singing on street corners in New Jersey. Summer sees the success of the band as their first major hit, “Sherry”, is released in 1962 and 40 more chart-topping hits follow in the coming years. As Autumn arrives the decade comes to a close and the group’s popularity begins to decline. With Winter comes the aftermath of their fame and the promise of a new Spring. The story of the group’s meteoric rise to stardom, and the emotional baggage that came with it, is told with a mix of comedy and tragedy, and a heavy dose of nostalgia.

The generation who grew up as Four Seasons’ fans will love reminiscing to the songs of their youth and the younger audience will be captivated learning the story of the band their parents loved. Be warned: while children may enjoy the music of the show, the language reflects the working-class New Jersey upbringing of the Four Seasons and expletives are used. The sets are pretty bare bones – the focus here is on the story, told through scenes and the music of the Four Seasons. Classic songs you know and love like “Sherry”, “Walk Like a Man”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” will have you dancing and singing along in your seat.