J. Peter Bergman calls “Jersey Boys” “a fine, fine production on every level” in his review for Berkshire Bright Focus
“Maguire is an excellent Valli. He is a joy to watch and to listen to.”
“Kelley does splendidly in this role, even managing to touch my heart with his sincerity and his singing.”
“Watching the group grow in their varied and difficult directions is fascinating theatre.”
“Gabe Belyeu plays lyricist/producer Bob Crewe beautifully. Kevin Weldon makes a sinister, sentimental Gyp DeCarlo totally believable.”
“This production is fascinating to watch. Director John Saunders has given the show drive and energy and still made each character stand out as an individual. He and choreographer Ashley DeLane Burger have brought us the movement and coordination of pop music of the period with a true sense of recognition.”
“Both the play and the musical numbers look great on the Mac-Haydn stage thanks to scenic designer Alivia Cross whose work transforms spaces thanks to the superb lighting by Andrew Gmoser. Emily Allen’s hair and wig design highlights the period of the show as well as do the costumes designed by Claire Mezzetta. This is a fine, fine production on every level.”
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Lisa Jarish says “Jersey Boys” “explodes with perfection” in her review for Berkshire On Stage
“In Jersey Boys, Saunders has created another of his signature directorial triumphs, with a full-blooded, full-scale humdinger of a show, a good old-fashioned jukebox musical perfectly“seasoned” with incredible vocals and riveting performances, made all the more impressive and impactful because it is not “too good to be true” but actually true.”
“The Mac has assembled a veritable holy grail of performers to enact the title roles, and I have to confess I may have spent a good portion of the performance with my mouth gaping open, slack-jawed, in absolute awe of the perfection of sound coming from the golden throats of Conor Fallon, Andrew Burton Kelley, John Hannigan, Andrew Maguire.”
“The non-vocal performances of Fallon, Kelley, and Hannigan, each narrating their part of the story, are incomparable. Each embraces and truly personifies the character they represent, bringing a depth and veracity and sincerity to their roles that is essential to a fully-realized production.”
“without a doubt Andrew Maguire steals the show… in his Mac-Haydn debut, no less. As Frankie Valli, Maguire is nothing short of phenomenal, with a voice born to the role, hitting those iconic high falsetto notes with absolute purity and assurance.”
“Belyeu can always be counted to embrace whatever role he undertakes. His performances are unfailingly filled with the sheer joy of being given the opportunity to perform, to portray a character and make it his own.”
“Jacob Atkins plays Joey…AKA Joe Pesci …with an endearing hyperactive enthusiasm perfect for the character, and Kevin Weldon turns in a marvelous but all-too-brief appearance as New Jersey mob boss Gyp DeCarlo”
“Rachel Pantazis creates powerful moments in her scenes with Maguire’s Valli.”
“Kudos to choreographer Ashley DeLane Burger for her success in choreographing and coordinating the perfectly synchronized movements of legs and hands that came to be associated with the Four Seasons.”
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Bill Kellert praises cast AND creatives of “Jersey Boys” in his review for Nippertown
“Mac-Haydn’s Producing Artistic Director, John Saunders, once again takes the directorial reins to steer this mammoth production.”
“Saunders does an admirable job not only directing the show but also assembling a strong technical crew as well as a talented cast of Mac-Haydn vets and newbies to help achieve his goals.”
“Choreographer Ashley DeLane Burger does a wonderful job recreating the feeling of the 1960s.”
“With its many moving pieces, Alvia Cross’s set design creates thirty-some scenes in the first act alone. Andrew Gmoser’s lighting and Sean McGinley’s sound design put you in the vibe of the time. Emily Allen’s hair design and wigs and Claire Mezzetta’s costumes round out the rock and roll era and sweep the audience back in the time continuum.”
“Shorey knows how to get the most wonderful harmonies out of the foursome as well as create beautiful numbers from the full cast. Shorey has proven to be Mac-Haydn’s strongest creative asset, from leading the band to musically directing the cast.”
“Gaudio, who never really wanted to be in the spotlight, rather preferring the background writing music, is masterfully handled by Andrew Burton Kelly. Kelly has a wonderful ability to internalize his emotions in his acting and bring it all to the surface in his vocal performance.”
“Perhaps, as it should be, the night belonged to Mac newcomer Andrew Maguire as Frankie Valli. Maguire has a voice and range that match the real Valli, note for note. His crystal-clear tenor and icy steel falsetto brought down the house song after song, most notably with the heart-wrenching rendition of “Fallen Angel.””
“It should be noted that most of the cast doubles or triples roles throughout the production with ease and finesse.”
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Jeffrey Borak calls “Jersey Boys” “Breathtaking” in his review for The Berkshire Eagle
“Director John Saunders’ production of the jukebox musical “Jersey Boys” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre opens in breathtaking fashion and never lets go for an instant.”
“Beyond the smooth, confident sweep of Saunders’ production, the show’s recreation of The Four Seasons sound is at once astonishing, evocative, singular.”
“Close your eyes as the show’s Frankie Valli, Andrew Maguire, sings and you could easily believe Valli himself has taken over. Maguire’s performance overall is full and rich — an affecting portrait of a young man whose coming of age over time is roughly gained.”
“The performances throughout are strong and convincing.”
“Andrew Burton Kelley is pitch-perfect as Bob Gaudio, whose talent as a songwriter and personal sense of reason and clarity is the perfect counterpoint to Tommy’s lesser impulses.”
“Gabe Belyeu is delightful as Bob Crewe, the Four Seasons’ manager, producer and lyricist. There are equally convincing turns by Kevin Weldon as Gyp DeCarlo, a mobster who takes a liking to Frankie; Bella DePaola as Lorraine, Frankie’s second wife; and Rachel Pantazis as Frankie’s alcoholic first wife, Mary Delgado.”
“Buoyed by music director Eric Shorey’s support, and the bold, imaginative sweep of Saunders’ vision, this youthful, appealing, talented ensemble more than delivers the goods.”
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