Oh What A Night – Jersey Boys @ Mercury Theater Chicago
Jersey Boys features 30 musical numbers while walking us through the life and times of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons a New Jersey based rock and roll quartet that appealed largely to blue collar teens nationwide in the 1960s with songs like “Sherry” and “Walk Like A Man.”
This podcast theater review by Reno Lovison includes a short excerpt of an interview by Rikki Lee Travolta with co-directors Walter Stearns and Brenda Didier commenting on their love of the show and some specifics about actors Michael Metcalf and Adrian Aguilar.
Jersey Boys is at the Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, through May 19, 2024. For tickets and information visit mercurytheaterchicago.com or call (773) 360-7365.
CAST: Adrian Aguilar (Tommy DeVito), Grant Alexander Brown (Joey Pesci), Jason Michael Evans (Nick Massi), Adam Fane (Bob Crewe), Haley Jane Schafer (Lorraine & others), Carl Herzog (Gyp DeCarlo), Eric A. Lewis (Barry Belson), Andrew MacNaughton (Bob Gaudio), Maya McQueen (Francine), Michael Metcalf (Frankie Valli), Jason Richards (Norm Waxman), Kayla Shipman (Mary Delgado), Dan Gold (Nick DeVito). The understudies are Hannah Efsits, Casey Huls, Nick Johnson, Peyton Knowsk and Isaac Ray.
Orchestra: Linda Medonia co-music director (keyboards), Justin Kono (percussion), Jonathan Golko (bass), Samuel Shacker (guitar), Cara Strauss (reeds), and Greg Strauss (trumpet). Listening to this ensemble is a joy in itself.
BONUS CONTENT:
Where to park.
I meant to include in the podcast that parking is available less than a block away in the Blaine Elementary School parking lot. You’ll have to use the Spot Hero app to pay and reserve your spot. Space is limited so do it early. The Mercury Theater is also easily accessible by the CTA Brown Line Southport stop as well as the Clark Street bus, and Addison bus both just a short walk away. There is also paid street parking on Southport and also on Ashland but allow some time as it can be very busy on weekends. Of course there is also Uber, Lyft, a Divvy bike or Lime scooter if you are so inclined.
Where to eat.
Before the show we stopped in at Bodega Sur 3755 N Southport Ave, a little Argentinean bar about three door north of the theater for a light supper. We each had a glass of Malbec (red wine) and one empinada, then split the beet salad with tomato, avocado and greens with vinaigrette dressing – – perfect for two. Tab was $58.00 with tax and tip.
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Jersey Boys seems as much like a great concert as it is a play, featuring a substantial and interesting backstory.