Rock Doc Musical "Jersey Boys" Opens in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's Forrest Theatre has come to life for a 2½-month engagement of "Jersey Boys," the multi-award-winning musical based on the life and times of the legendary Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

The show had its initial run six years ago this week in Southern California and has been breaking records ever since.

It's been called a "documentary-style" musical based on the lives and passions of one of the most successful rock groups on the planet.  Its breakout booking was in California but it soon headed for Broadway, where it has been installed in what would appear to be a semi-permanent home.  This in addition to tours in select cities including London's West End, Canada, and Australia, and Tony and Grammy awards.

And now, Philadelphia, not far from the show's North Jersey origins of Valli and the Four Seasons.

While the show opens in the competitive "near-Newark" atmosphere, it's when it settles into those brilliantly staged production numbers that it grabs the audience.

And, as Valli has become a kind of elder statesman of '60s rock, the performers in this company clearly carry the day.

No matter what you might think of the tunes or the atmosphere that gave birth to them, "Jersey Boys" leaves the audience in very high spirits.

It will be at the Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street in center city, through December 12th.

Review by Bob Nelson, KYW Newsradio.