It was literally standing room only when Paul Garman, Executive Director of Musical Theatre West took to the stage Saturday to welcome the crowd and announce that finally, after a long delay (two decades) in securing the rights to the play, the audience was about to witness the smash hit “Jersey Boys.”
With that, Southern California’s premier theatre company, Musical Theatre West (MTW) opened its long awaited production of its highly anticipated 2025 season with the smash hit “Jersey Boys,” The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Running selected nights starting February 14th through March 2nd at Carpenter Performing Arts Center, audiences are invited to experience the meteoric rise of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons- a journey through fame, fortune, and the timeless music that defined a generation. Tickets are on sale NOW, starting at $20 USD and are available by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org.
“We are beyond excited to open the season with Jersey Boys, a show that celebrates not only the music but the perseverance and legacy of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons,” shared Paul Garman, Executive Director of Musical Theatre West. “Audiences will certainly feel the energy of these iconic songs and might even resonate with the emotional depth of their journey. With hits like ‘Sherry,’ ‘Walk Like a Man,’ and so many more, this show is a perfect blend of nostalgia, heart, and sheer entertainment!”
Directed by TJ Dawson, Musical Theatre West’s production of Jersey Boys promises to deliver the high-energy, emotionally charged experience that has made this show a global sensation. Jersey Boys features extraordinary performances by Nicholas Alexander as Frankie Valli (MTW Debut), Anthony Carro as Tommy DeVito (MTW Debut), Taubert Nadalini as Bob Gaudio (from Bright Star), and Grant Hodges as Nick Massi (MTW Debut). Together, this talented group brings to life the timeless hits and gripping story of The Four Seasons.
The play traces the four young men’s journey from a rough neighborhood in Jersey to the top of the entertainment word, not of course, without lots of drama along the way.
MTW should be proud of the chemistry created by Dawson as the four lads and the accompanying ensemble seamlessly presented the exhilaration and heartbreak of the Four Seasons along the way.
Although this is not a touring production, its quality of vocal excellence and acting prominence indicated that it could indeed make audiences happy from coast to coast.
Grant Hodges as Nick Massi, one of the two brothers who started it all, said before the show that he was beyond happy with his role in the production.
“I am so excited about being in this show,” noting that he was a generation and one-half beyond the Four Seasons rise, “this nostalgic music is good for any age,” said this graduate of Servite High School.
Written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and directed by Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys made its world premiere in Southern California 20 years ago. It would go on to play for 12 years on Broadway and garner four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
A documentary musical more than just strung-together numbers, Jersey Boys chronicles in story and Four Seasons songs the emergence, success, and the ups and downs of the ‘60s group that included vocslkst Frankie Valli, songwriter/keyboardist Bob Gaudio, guitarist Tommy DeVito, and bassist Nick Massi. The show is constructed in four seasons, each narrated by a different member of the quartet, plus a finale.
The story of Musical Theatre West is the 72-year journey from a group of volunteers performing in a high school auditorium to one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California. Utilizing professional talent, and producing regional and even world premiere musicals while continuing to honor the tradition of classic musical theatre, MTW is the largest arts producer in the Long Beach area.
The company continues to receive critical acclaim and national recognition – and many performers who cut their teeth on the MTW stage have gone on to successful careers on Broadway and in television and film. Just as importantly, stage and screen veterans now come to Musical Theatre West to perform, finding it to be one of the friendliest and most fun venues to work in.
A key aspect of the company is its dedication to education, and the Education and Outreach Programs of Musical Theatre West bring the joy and magic of musical theater to over 17,000 children each year through special morning performances, traveling shows and school assemblies, and the Summer Youth Conservatory. Musical Theatre West has a mission to enrich the community with Broadway-quality productions, preserve musical theatre as a unique American art form, and expose people of all backgrounds to the excitement of musical theatre.
Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase by phone at 562-856-1999 or online at musical.org. Fees may apply. Student rush tickets for $15 are available at the Box Office one hour prior to showtime, with a valid student ID. More information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.