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One of the most popular Broadway shows about one of the most popular bands of the 20th Century will be taking the stage at the Des Moines Civic Center beginning Tuesday night.
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys” shares the story of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Four Seasons —Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. The hit musical that just completed its 12-year run on Broadway, tells the story of a group of friends who got their beginning singing on the street corners in New Jersey and rose to fame and influence.
“There is something for everybody,” said Cory Jeacoma who portrays Gaudio. “There’s a love story, there’s mafia and crime, there’s sadness and death. There is success and failure. There’s something that everyone can relate to. On top of that, it is a story that is true and you get to see this story about four blue collar guys who worked from the bottom, shot up to the top and fell very quickly back to the bottom. Then they dug themselves back out and shot back up to the top. It doesn’t sugar coat anything.”
Jeacoma said the timeless music of The Four Seasons with songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” may help fill the seats at theaters but the story keeps people coming back time and time again.
“Jukebox musicals that are set to a catalog of an artist’s songs sometimes the story suffers, but this show is so well written you forget it is a jukebox musical,” he said. “I can’t say enough positive things about the show. I’m not just saying that because I’m in the show. I saw it seven times before I was cast.”
“Jersey Boys” also serves as a testament to the men who made up the iconic rock and roll group. Jeacoma said the three surviving members of The Four Seasons have been supportive of the show since its inception which helps make the show that much more special.
“Bob, Frankie and Tommy have been nothing but generous with their time and support of the show. The cast holds them to such a high standard so we wouldn’t want to do anything less than they deserve,” Jeacoma said. “As actors we get to honor their legacy and we are part of the story now, which is really, really cool.”
While having great support from the real Jersey Boys it doesn’t take away from the fact actors are portraying real people and their lives, Jeacoma said.
“Knowing that Bob Gaudio could walk in anytime and sit down and watch me as him is a little daunting,” the actor said. “One thing (Valli, Gaudio and DeVito) do is encourage us to bring ourselves into the role. They don’t want impersonations they want the characters to be real because they are real people. So while daunting, I know I can bring a little bit of myself into the role.”
Jeacoma said he hopes people come and enjoy the show while it is in Iowa, adding “Jersey Boys” is for everyone, even those who may not normally like musical theater.
“We joke in musical theater the women drag their husbands to the show, but this is the kind of show that men drag their wives to because this is a show about four dudes, four guys’ guys,” Jeacoma said. “It has a little taste of everything for everyone, and it is really a party.”
The party starts when the curtain rises on latest installment of the Willis Broadway Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at desmoinesperformingarts.org, the Civic Center ticket office or by phone at 515-246-2300.
“We are just excited to get to Iowa and bring the story to more people who love it or haven’t seen it,” Jeacoma said. “And I can’t stress enough get on your feet, dance, sing, scream and holler because it is one of those shows.”