The currently touring musical of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is not just about the band's iconic songs; it’s a story about four guys from New Jersey and how they took the music world by storm with their distinctive and unique sound.  

When Frankie and the boys were first heard on the radio in the early 60s, they had already lived through various stage names and numerous incarnations, yet fame and fortune had eluded them. However, with the line-up of Tommy Devito, Frankie Valli, Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio - whose brilliant song writing was key to the band's success - they finally found a magic formula. The Four Seasons were born and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jersey boys the musical recreates the ups and downs of the incredible journey of the group on both a musical and personal level. This is a production that has you captivated from the start.  The huge success of the band happened because of their unusual high-pitched notes and perfect harmonies but off stage, the Italian heritage dynamics and mafia connections culminated in a very different story, one which was as sensational as the hits that kept on coming.

The musical takes the band from the tough streets of New Jersey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and is choc full of fabulous hits such as Sherry, Beggin’, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Ragdoll, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and December 1963 (Oh, What a Night), to name just a few...

The musicianship, choreography and set design is of the high standard you'd expect from a top West End production. The characters are wonderfully cast while producing the authentic sound and recognisable moves of the four musicians. Frankie Valli is played by the hugely talented Luke Baker and his voice is sensational.  Carlo Boumouglbay is charismatics as the tempestuous Tommy DeVito, Lewis Kennedy is compelling as Nick Massi, and Toby Miles is simply stunning as Bob Gaudio.  Together they work seamlessly to recreate the exciting suited and booted live concert vibe with their impressive vocals and eye-catching slick moves. 

The extensive cast are impressive with Aiden Carson as Joey Pesci, Artemis Chrissoulakis as Francine, Oliver Tester as Norm Wexman and Jarryd Nurden as Hank Majewski, all giving perfect performances. The narrative throughout is full of high-octane elements, comedic interludes and tear-jerking rhetoric.  The story is as gripping as the songs are memorable and the audience in the Potteries last night showed their appreciation with a standing ovation and rapturous applause.

A musical packed full of style, class, phenomenal hits and a hard-hitting narrative - fabulously enjoyable and totally engaging.

Five stars

Reviewed by Carol Lovatt at The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent on Monday 26 October where the production continues to show until Saturday 31 October.

Jersey Boys returns to the region to play The Alexandra, Birmingham, from Monday 2 to Saturday 21 November and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Monday 15 to Saturday 27 March