Palo Alto Players’ Jersey Boys Finds the Beat,
Even When the Staging Stumbles
Opening night at Palo Alto Players’ Jersey Boys had the Lucie Stern audience itching to jump out of their seats and dance. And who could blame them? The hits keep coming in this crowd-pleasing jukebox musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons—the signature falsetto, tight harmonies, and irresistible rhythm are all here.
Bob Gaudio (Andrew Cope), Frankie Valli (James M. Jones),
Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin), and Nick Massi (Justin Kerekes)
But while the music soars, the production sometimes gets tangled in its own staging. Between a dizzying number of scene changes and near-constant prop shuffling, the story occasionally loses its momentum. Still, a sharp quartet of performers at the heart of the show helps Jersey Boys rise above the clutter.
Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin) and Frankie Valli (James M. Jones)
Director Doug Santana has found four strong leads to bring the iconic group to life. James M. Jones captures Frankie Valli’s vocal acrobatics with skill and surprising nuance. Justin Kerekes gives Nick Massi a brooding charm, while Andrew Cope makes a charismatic Bob Gaudio—the musical brain behind many of the hits. And Tyler Savin leans into Tommy DeVito’s swagger and ego with gusto, keeping the group’s internal tensions front and center.
Mary Delgado (Samantha Kenbrandt) and Frankie Valli (James M. Jones)
Witney Janssen’s choreography makes the most of the space, balancing full-scale production numbers with tight, stylized movement in smaller scenes. Despite some staging congestion, the musical moments are often crisp and compelling. Music director Nick Kenbrandt keeps the energy up from his perch at the rear of the stage, leading a large, lively orchestra that rarely misses a beat.
Frankie Valli (James M. Jones)
Visually, the show delivers flash. Costume designer Jenny Garcia gives the ensemble a wardrobe that’s as bright and bold as the Four Seasons’ harmonies—standouts include Danny Martin as music producer Bob Crewe, decked out in shiny yellow satin pants and a white satin shirt that screams ’60s glam. Martin plays Crewe with flair, while also anchoring a few other supporting roles.
Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin), Nick Massi (Justin Kerekes),
Bob Gaudio (Andrew Cope) and Frankie Valli (James M. Jones)
There’s solid work across the ensemble, including John Mannion pulling double duty as both a solemn judge and the imposing gangster Gyp DeCarlo—who always seems to show up when the boys owe more money than they did in the previous scene. Melissa Momboisse is particularly compelling as Lorraine, Valli’s second wife, bringing heart to a role that could easily be a footnote. Samantha Kenbrandt brings fire to Mary Delgado, Frankie’s first wife, and Skylar Riordan amuses in several roles, including a delightfully annoying turn as Joe Pesci.
Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin), Frankie Valli (James M. Jones), Nick Massi (Justin Kerekes),
and Bob Gaudio (Andrew Cope) sing backup for Hal Miller (The T)
Less successful are some of the repeated blocking choices—particularly the recurring actor parade up one side of the catwalk and down the other, which starts to feel like scenic filler more than dramatic necessity. With 17 actors playing dozens of roles, the logistics can overwhelm the storytelling.
Nick Massi (Justin Kerekes), Frankie Valli (James M. Jones), Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin),
and Bob Gaudio (Andrew Cope) discuss their future with Bob Crewe (Danny Martin)
But let’s face it: people come to Jersey Boys for the music. And this production delivers the goods. If you’ve got a soft spot for doo-wop, harmonies, or the golden age of rock and roll, you’ll be grinning through “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Bye Bye Baby,” and more. It’s nostalgia with a beat you can dance to.
The company
photos by Scott Lasky
Jersey Boys
Palo Alto Players
Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto
two hours, with one intermission
ends on May 4, 2025
for tickets ($20-$63), call 650.329.0891 or visit PA Players
