JERSEY BOYS at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse

Co-written by Emma Bertram

Oh, what a night it was to go to Murry’s Dinner Playhouse to experience the phenomenal performance of JERSEY BOYS! You definitely won’t want to miss your chance to step back in time on the musical journey of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Grab your chance to perform “Walk Like a Man” and join in the fun now through August 17th. This incredibly talented cast, directed and choreographed by Moriah Patterson, truly brings the history of Rock N’ Roll music to life in a way that makes you feel like you’re a first-hand witness to the magic in the making. Whether you’re a Frankie Valli lover (like me) or are looking for a venue that can provide you with not only a great show but also a fantastic full-course buffet, Murry’s Dinner Playhouse is sure to exceed your expectations.

JERSEY BOYS centers on the band and is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, features chart-topping hits, and is written and produced by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe. This jukebox musical biography begins on the streets of 1960s New Jersey, where Tommy DeVito (Michael Klucher) convinces Frankie Valli (Ethan Patterson) to quit his job as a barber to become the lead singer of his band. Tommy is charismatic, streetwise, ambitious, and struggles to stay out of trouble, a constant that Frankie eventually takes on as his responsibility. Frankie Valli is the lead singer and is known for his signature falsetto voice. He is determined, talented, and driven by his passion for music. He faces personal challenges including strained relationships and the demands of his career. Bob Gaudio (Micah Patterson) is the group’s songwriter who plays keyboard for the band. He works with Frankie Valli on the songwriting and his contribution to the evolution of the band helps shape their career. Nick Massi (Caleb Menard) is the bassist who eventually feels betrayed by the band and leaves. Throughout all of this, there are a series of people who come in and out of their lives. It’s emotional and sometimes tense, but the music comes at you hit by hit.

Backed by a live band led by Emily Cooper, this show is entertaining throughout, and very educational if you don’t know the band’s history. For example, I didn’t know they toured and flirted with the Shirelles (Moriah Patterson, Ashley Merrill, Lexi Brooks). Joe Pesci (Thomas Williams) hung out with The Four Seasons before he became a big star. They were also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

The talents of the performers take you into the magic of this era. The vocals reflected the famed quartet and the storytelling kept us captivated throughout the show. Ethan Patterson brought Frankie to life in a way that made the audience feel protective of him, even when he was having sex with other women. Michael Klucher had a tough bad guy vibe from the start but was charismatic throughout the performance. Micah Patterson’s Bob seemed like the most down-to-earth of the group and Caleb Menard’s voice was mesmerizing. The rest of the ensemble added so much to the story and it was fun to see all the dynamic personalities come into play.

Before the show, the buffet called us. As always, I like to try everything. It’s all very tasty, but I do like the baked cod and the green beans. The bread pudding is also tasty. To go with our meal, we added the fruity strawberry mocktail. It’s sweet and makes us feel fancy. There are also alcoholic options.