Oh What A Night - Jersey Boys Now Playing at the Ahmanson

The Tony-Award winning musical Jersey Boys, chronicling the journey of Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio and Nick Massi, collectively known as The Four Seasons, from blue-collar New Jersey hoodlums on the wrong side of the tracks to superstars of the 60s and 70s, is now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre.

After an opening featuring members of the supporting cast performing French rapper Yannick’s version of “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night),” the story of how the band came together, rose to stardom and eventually broke up is told with each group member narrating different “seasons” and sharing their own perspectives of their rags to riches journey.

The book cleverly provides snapshots of the group’s beginning, rise to stardom and eventual breakup while including over 30 songs throughout the 2-½ hour musical. The simple set design with a screen background featuring comic book inspired illustrations and 60s television footage, together with superb casting with Mark Ballas as Frankie Valli, Matthew Dailey as Tommy DeVito, Cory Jeacoma as Bob Gaudio and Keith Hines as Nick Massi make the roller coaster tale of the band’s rise and fall an enjoyable and moving experience.

Throughout the first act the band joins together and plays seedy bars across the country, eventually landing their first hit, “Sherry.” Highlights include “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “My Eyes Adored You.”

The second act shows the band’s demise and changing dynamics when Tommy racks up a huge gambling debt and Frankie insists the band pay the bill and kick Tommy out of the group. Each member eventually goes their own way and provides a synopsis of their post Four Seasons life through short funny and moving monologues. Highlights include “Let’s Hang On To What We’ve Got,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Working My Way Back to You,” and “December 1963 (Oh What a Night).”

Opening night audiences rose to their feet five times to dance, sing along and finally applaud the real Frankie Valli who thanked the cast at the end of the show.

Tickets on sale now through June 24, 2017. Visit www.centertheatregroup.com.