Jersey Boys Tickets

Charting the rise of four working class guys from street corner singing to stardom, “Jersey Boys” is the story of the Four Seasons, the rock & roll band fronted by the legendary Frankie Valli, who hit high notes across the world with “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Walk Like a Man.”

Nearly 40 musicians have been members of the Four Seasons in the band’s 50-plus year history. This show, written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, is the story of the originals: Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi, and Valli, the latter a kid from Newark, N.J., whose ringing falsetto became the band’s trademark and made him one of the most instantly recognisable vocalists in the world. Plenty of highs, then, but “Jersey Boys” plumbs the lows, too. Like most successful bands, the Four Seasons weathered musical rivalries, infighting, alcohol addiction and rocky personal relationships. But how many bands can you think of that had run-ins with the Mob?

What to watch for

The guys are really plugged in. While there is a pit band, the production calls for the Four Seasons to play their instruments live.

All hail Glaston Toft, veteran of the first Australian production of “Jersey Boys.” He’s been playing bassist Nick Massi since 2009 – over 1400 performances.

Sydney audiences were surprised in 2018 when, on opening night of “Jersey Boys,” Ryan Gonzalez took to the stage as Frankie Valli. Billed as the understudy, he nailed the role, stole the show, and has been out front from that night on.

Keep your eyes peeled for Joe Pesci in the show. Yes, Hollywood actor Joe “Goodfellas” Pesci, who, as a teenager, introduced Valli to songwriter Bob Gaudio in a Newark club in 1959. Pesci is played by Josh Mulheran.

A jukebox musical that dares to stop the music? In “Jersey Boys” there’s a seven-minute scene in the second half the cast nicknames “the sit down,” a bristling dramatic interlude featuring the band and some colourful industry identities they’d better not cross.