Some musicals age gracefully. Others become museum pieces, relying on nostalgia to carry them over the finish line. Twenty years after it first exploded onto the stage, Jersey Boys continues to prove it’s firmly in the former camp.
Returning to Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall as part of its anniversary tour, this production still feels as sharp, slick and emotionally engaging as ever. It would have been easy for the story of four lads from New Jersey to become overshadowed by the countless jukebox musicals that followed in its wake. Instead, Jersey Boys remains the benchmark that so many have tried, and failed, to match.
The genius of the show has never simply been the music. Of course, hearing classics such as Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Beggin’ and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You performed live is enough to send waves of recognition around the auditorium. But what elevates the production is its willingness to show that success rarely arrives without conflict. Friendships fracture, egos collide, families suffer and fortunes rise and fall, all without ever losing sight of the humour that makes the characters feel wonderfully human.
Luke Baker steps into Frankie Valli’s impossibly polished shoes with remarkable confidence. Capturing that instantly recognisable falsetto is one thing; making it sound effortless while carrying the emotional weight of the role is another entirely. Baker manages both, delivering a performance that grows stronger as the evening progresses.
The chemistry between the four leads is equally impressive. Carlo Boumouglbay’s swaggering Tommy DeVito provides much of the show’s combustible energy, while Toby Miles brings warmth and understated intelligence to Bob Gaudio. Lewis Kennedy’s quieter Nick Massi completes the quartet perfectly, often saying as much with a glance as others do with a page of dialogue.
Musically, the production mever puts a foot wrong. The harmonies are immaculate throughout, with every iconic chorus greeted by smiles across the audience. The band deserves enormous credit too, recreating the unmistakable sound of The Four Seasons with precision while never overwhelming the vocals.
The staging is deceptively simple, relying on fluid movement, clever lighting and seamless scene changes rather than unnecessary spectacle. It allows the storytelling to remain front and centre, reminding us that a compelling narrative doesn’t need extravagant gimmicks when it’s backed by performances of this quality.
Perhaps the greatest compliment you can pay Jersey Boys is that it never feels like a history lesson. Even if you know every twist in the story and every note of every song, there’s an infectious energy that makes it feel fresh all over again. It’s funny, moving, exhilarating and packed with enough musical highlights to justify its legendary reputation.
Twenty years on, Jersey Boys still isn’t just one of the finest jukebox musicals ever written. It’s simply one of the finest musicals, full stop. Nottingham welcomed the boys back with a standing ovation that felt entirely deserved.
