Catch Jersey Boys at Venetian, Las Vegas

There’s nothing like a Las Vegas show to give you fabulous night of entertainment, and if you haven’t seen the long running and award winning Jersey Boys at the Venetian Hotel, you’re missing a night of fun.

Even if you’ve seen this production before (as I had), you’ll want to catch another performance.  While essentially the same, there are a few minor differences, including a little upping of the risqué factor.  The language is a little coarser, making it, some would argue, a little more authentic.  These guys were from Jersey after all!

The story and the music are the same, however, as it traces the evolution of the music and the careers of kids from Jersey trying to carve out some success.  Part theater and part concert performance, Jersey Boys tells the story of the The Four Seasons, the boy band from the wrong side of the Jersey tracks.  The story is told by, and from the point of view of, four different narrators.  Each narrator represents one of the four seasons, and one of The Four Seasons, as they tell the story of the different goals and self interests that fueled their careers.

The first acts tells the story of some bumbling guys trying to make a living with their music.  When one of the guys gets sent off to prison, Frankie Valli starts fronting for the group, bringing with him a wide vocal range, and an impressive falsetto, that would later become his trademark style.   Still, until the group met up with songwriter Bob Gaudio (Who Wears Short Shorts?), success eluded them.

Valli and Gaudio formed a songwriting partnership on the basis on a handshake.  In a world of contracts and lawyers it’s hard to believe that the partnership continues today – on that same handshake.  The two were responsible for huge hits during the 60’s with songs like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like a Man.  They were clean cut and establishment during a counter-culture era, but the fans loved them.

In the second act of the production, we learn that life was not all top ten hits and adoring fans for The Four Seasons.  There were very dark times of gambling addiction, criminal conduct, drinking, womanizing and ruined marriages,and death.  The Four Seasons broke up, to be replaced by a group known as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.  The music changed at this point, too, with hits like Stay, Let’s Hang On (to What We’ve Got) and Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry About Me).

The show came to its end with one final marvelous song and the cast took its bows as the audience was on its feet in thunderous applause.  At that moment, it wasn’t theater, it was a concert, and we weren’t willing to leave without an encore.

Location:  Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas (map)

Dates & Times:  Monday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday at 7 pm; Tuesday & Saturday at 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm.  Dark on Wednesday.

Tickets:  Prices start around $65, plus tax and handling fees.  There are a variety of promotion packages, room-ticket packages, and VIP seating options.  You can purchase tickets for Jersey Boys online, through the box office on site, by phone at  (702) 414-9000 (local) or (866) 641-7469 (toll free), or through your hotel concierge.

Whether you grew up in this musical era, or are hearing the music of The Four Seasons for the first time, you’ll be caught up in the story and the music.  Caught up in the story of the music — and the music that is the story.

Oh what a night!

Photo credit:  Amazon

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