Oh, what a night: Jersey Boys takes a trip down a musical memory lane

Jersey Boys is about as classic New Jersey as you will ever find.

From the thick accents to the claim that everything starts in the Garden State, the touring edition of the Broadway musical this week at the Landmark Theatre transports audiences to the late 1950s neighborhoods and club and then to the national stage that Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons would eventually conquer in the ’60s.

Yet, what sets this production apart is its seamless blend of emotion and storytelling, woven through the timeless classics that made The Four Seasons unforgettable and still a staple on radio and even social media today.

During the 2.5-hour performance, the audience gets to hear early rock ‘n’ roll classics from “Walk Like A Man,” “Sherry” and of course, “Oh, What A Night.”

With each song of the band’s journey, the music takes on a meaning of its own, as the audience learns what it took to get each song written, expressed and produced.  

These four blue-collar guys became some of the most well-known artists of their time, eventually earning a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Their path came with struggles of family sacrifices, friendship misunderstandings and relationship struggles.

The production portrays a group of young kids who amidst their personal struggles with alcohol, gambling and relasthionships, become stars before the age of 30. From touring to first experiences on the road, the audience is invited in for every season of their career. 

All four members narrate their own story in line so by the end of the musical each character is known and understood by the audience.

And, let’s not forget about the vocals. From Coby Oram hitting those high Frankie Valli notes to Owen McCredie going low through narration and supporting vocals, each song was met with echoing applause from the audience.  

The dialogue was funny, heartbreaking, inspirational and relatable all in the two hour and 30 minute performance. The crowd giggled, gasped, clapped and head nodded along for Jersey Boys second night at Landmark Theater.

As Act 1 tells the story of the group’s rise to fame, it mixes drama and humor as the band works to figure out its identity and how to achieve its early success. Act 2 brought heavier emotion, showcasing to the audience a season of maturity, growth and realization for the Boys who are no longer boys. 

Toward the end of the show, character Frankie Valli says to the audience, “My mother always used to tell me, ‘This too shall pass.’ ” 

It’s his realization that his mother’s words may be true but just like the bad passes, so does the good. In a world where everyone wants followers, fame and fortune, Jersey Boys asks one question: how worth it are the sacrifices?

There are countless lessons that could be interpreted throughout the show, yet the abiding message is that everything one could want may already be right within reach. 

Sometimes simplicity is overlooked. From street lamp to stage, the four boys found more fulfillment in the mundane, reminding the audience to open their eyes and be thankful for what they already have. 

From incredible dancing, singing and acting, Jersey Boys was an engaging watch with an even more everlasting message.