You need not go far to see one of Las Vegas' best shows: The Jersey Boys Theatre, where the hit show from Broadway is performed nightly, stands in a corner of the vast gaming floor of Palazzo Hotel Las Vegas.
More than a series of hit singles made by a well-known singing group and simply strung together, Jersey Boys is a compelling biographical tale of four talented guys from the country's butt-of-many-jokes state.
Based on the escapades of the real Four Seasons and their lead vocalist Frankie Valli, the Jersey Boys story opens with the formation of the group, then reenacts its breakthrough performances on the American Bandstand and the Ed Sullivan TV shows, the good times, the wives and family issues, life on the road, the squeeze from the mob. Even the character of Joe Pesci makes an appearance to comic effect.
Jersey Boys Theatre inside the Palazzo hotel has comfortable seats (complete with drink holders) and excellent acoustics.
Diminutive, falsetto-voiced Rick Faugno seems born to play the role of Frankie Valli, yet he's so overflowing with talent that we can't wait to see where he appears next. Erich Bergen, who plays the group's singer-songwriter Bob Gaudio, is a Jeff to his Mutt. And Ken Krugman, who you may recognize from his many varied TV appearances, is cool and versatile playing multiple roles.
Scenes and musical numbers include "Sherry" "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man," "Stay," "Let's Hang On," "Bye Bye Baby," "Working My Way Back to You" and most of the group's musically infectious hit singles.
Stagecraft worthy of Broadway, sharp musicianship, and polished performances that remain fresh despite the multiple times the singer/actors reiterate the script add up to a night that brings the appreciative audience to its feet by the final curtain.
