Big boys don’t cry—they scramble out from under hardscrabble lives to create one of the signature pop groups of the 20th century.
Which leads to one of the beloved jukebox musicals of the 21st century. In Jersey Boys, we learn the compelling story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons: how they found their sound behind the distinct falsetto of their lead singer; overcame the checkered past of some members; relied on backing from a local crime boss; and rode a roller coaster of career highs, personal lows, family tragedies and internal strife en route to installation in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Propelling it all are tunes embedded in the soundtrack of several generations: “Rag Doll,” “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Working My Way Back To You,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Who Loves You” and “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” among them.
Other songs from the 1950s and ’60s, such as “Earth Angel,” “Silhouettes” and “A Sunday Kind of Love” round out the score. While New Jersey endures its share of barbs (blame its surfeit of smokestacks and toll booths), it also gave the world Frank Sinatra, Bruce Spring-
steen and a group of guys who walked like men through a hell of a career.
Paris, 7 p.m. Tues.-Sun., $52.80-$184.80 plus tax and fee, VIP seating available, 12+. 702.777.7776
