Category: Village Theatre

@showsiveseen "Jersey Boys" #musical closing weekend at Village Theatre. Starring @Lorenzo Pugliese as #FrankieValli from the #FourSeasons. Great voices! #Review: showsiveseen.com/12868 Production Video: Nyhuis Creative Director/Choreo: Michael Berresse Stage Mgr: Laurel Nichols  Music Director: RJ Tancioco  #TheFourSeasons #JerseyBoys #Jersey #newJersey #musicaltheatre #theatre #showsiveseen #4Seasons ♬ December, 1963 (Oh What a Night!) – The Four Seasons

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Jersey Boys musical at Village Theatre. The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Great voices. Get your tickets before it closes this weekend!

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I’ve seen the national tour twice.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Three times already might be enough for me!

Mainstream Appeal: Medium to high

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Based on a true story, this jukebox musical charts the rise of Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito as they navigate ambition, loyalty, and fame to create the legendary sound of The Four Seasons band.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: They were just four guys from Jersey until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. Go behind the music and inside the world of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award-winning true-life musical phenomenon, Jersey Boys.This scintillating new production is full of electrifying performances of chart-topping hits including: “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” “My Eyes Adore You,” and so many more!

Type: Jukebox Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: Obviously, you’ll appreciate this show more if you’re remotely familiar with the music from The Four Seasons.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: 11

Total Actors: 13

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.75 hours

Other Rave(s)

• Voices: In a jukebox musical centered around a legendary vocal group, stellar singing is essential. Thankfully, the cast more than delivered. Special shoutouts go to Robbie Serrano (whose voice was crisp and clear), Ethan Carpenter (a familiar face on Seattle stages whom I rarely get the pleasure of hearing sing), and Ben Dow. Lorenzo Pugliese (portraying Frankie Valli) was a standout. His performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” earned him an extended ovation with some audience members standing up with enthusiasm. Finding someone who can not only hit those iconic high notes but also channel Valli’s distinctive look and presence is no small feat. Pugliese nailed it.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Real Life Foreshadowing: The line “Frankie, you’ll be on the road ’til you’re 90” felt painfully prophetic. It’s even become a trend on TikTok to point out how eerily lifeless Frankie Valli now appears on stage with the obvious lip-syncing support. What kind of mob deal is forcing him on stage?
• Bromance: This production leaned into the bromance between Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio. I didn’t notice this in the national tour performances.
• Orchestra Placement: It was weird to only see the drummer visible on stage without the rest of the band. Showcasing the full orchestra would have added to the visual experience. Curiously, the musicians weren’t in the orchestra pit, but were instead hidden behind the curtain. Perhaps this decision was driven by space constraints.
• Visual Vibe: For a jukebox musical, the scenic design was oddly dark and almost brutalist, with concrete-style backdrops and faded billboard advertisements evoking a has-been urban atmosphere. The production truly came alive during the American Bandstand scenes when the four leads, sharply suited up and lit under individual spotlights, delivered “choralography” and smooth harmonies to vintage microphones. Those moments captured the script’s energy and charm.
• Energy: The performance lacked the pep I felt from the national tour. It might have been the curse of post–opening performance lull or the unusually dim visual aesthetic. Afternoon matinees also often struggle with energy. Additionally, the audience skewed older than usual and didn’t help with the vibe either. Then again, having seen this show three times now, it’s possible that some of the freshness has naturally worn off for me.

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre

Venue Physical Address:

• Village Theatre’s Francis J. Gaudette Theatre: 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA 98027
• Everett Performing Arts Center: 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201

Ticket Affordability Options: See the theatre’s official page about discounts and pay-what-you-can performances

Dates:

• Issaquah: 3/18/25 to 4/27/25
• Everett: 5/3/25 to 5/25/25

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking:

• Issaquah: Free street parking and certain free parking lots. Lot parking availability is very difficult to find though. I’ve basically given up on that. I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that mostly only locals know about.
• Everett: Free street parking and some paid parking lots/garages.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Bluesky

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://villagetheatre.org/see-a-show/jersey
• Program

Pictures: See production pictures below by Auston James.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

@showsiveseen "Dial M for Murder" #play at Village Theatre. Effectively built audience anticipation. Surprised & relived this wasn't a tired comedic melodramatic whodunit mystery. "Money, fear, jealousy, revenge, and protecting someone you love." Review: showsiveseen.com/11446 Photos: Auston James Director: @adamimmerwahr5 Stage Mgr: Ruth Eitemiller #hitchcock #showsiveseen #theatre ♬ Crazy – Oliver Peters & Liv Clark

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Dial M for Murder play at Village Theatre. Effectively built audience anticipation. Surprised & relived this wasn’t a tired comedic melodramatic whodunit mystery. “Money, fear, jealousy, revenge, and protecting someone you love.”

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Maybe

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Without revealing too much of the plot, this play revolves around two lesbian ex-lovers, a damning letter that exposes their affair, revenge, extortion, murder, and investigation.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Murder has a familiar ring. Tony married his wife for her money, and now he plans to murder her for it. But when his perfect plans go awry, he has to improvise — and now his wife’s former lover Maxine and a wily inspector from Scotland Yard must race against the clock to unravel his schemes. This spine-tingling new adaptation is brimming with more unexpected turns and diabolic plot twists than Hitchcock’s timeless film version. Will Tony get away with it, or will justice be served? You’ll be guessing until the very end of this fast-paced, stylish thriller. Get ready for a criminally good time.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Just 5 scenes

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Just one, a living room

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes, but with only 5 scenes, it veered towards more dialogue than action

Union Actors: 4

Total Actors: 5

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast speed especially for a dialogue-heavy play

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours – This could feasibly be shortened to a single-act show.

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

• Refreshing Plot: Based solely on the title without reading the synopsis or seeing the film, I initially expected another cheap comedic melodramatic whodunit mystery like Clue. However, instead of the typical mystery where the audience is kept in the dark, it focused on how the mystery unfolded for the characters themselves, with the audience privy to all the details from the start. In a refreshing twist on the classic mystery formula, this play keeps the audience on edge not by hiding the truth, but by letting us watch the characters unravel in real-time. The production and script also frequently elicited anticipation from the audience like when one of the characters contemplated using an ice pick as a weapon in a “will he or won’t he” moment.
• Fight Choreography: Although the main fight scene was brief, fight director Ian Bond crafted a stunning climax to the thrilling scene that had the audience (myself included) audibly exclaim.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

• Blackmail: I’m surprised in the woke PNW, we’re still using the word “blackmail” on stage. Shouldn’t it be “extortion” now?
• Fingerprints: The play frequently referenced obtaining fingerprints from paper, which initially seemed impossible to me. However, I later discovered that it is possible after a Google search.
• New Character: I’ve always found it improper for a play to introduce a major new character in the second act. For one, I can’t help but feel bad for the actor, having to wait through the entire first act and intermission before taking the stage!
• Taproot Theatre: This production reminded me of Taproot Theatre, known for old-timey, dialogue-driven works. Additionally, Richard Nguyen Sloniker and Calder Jameson Shilling, who frequently feature in Taproot Theatre’s productions, added a familiar touch to this performance. In fact, they starred as the main characters in Taproot Theatre’s recent Happy Christmas, Jeeves!
• Scenic Design: Paige Hathaway’s green scenic design was reminiscent of the recent Blithe Spirit at Seattle Rep.
• Transitional Music: The music between scenes felt a bit too melodramatic. But maybe it was an intentional ode to campy murder films.
• Public Bias: It’s incredible how homophobia and misogyny can shape public opinion, particularly in earlier time periods. I’m intrigued to compare this production through the lens of the original script, which didn’t include the lesbian affair. That being said, it was refreshing to see lesbian visibility on-stage for a change.
• Glassware: Do people not wash their cups after drinking from a home liquor bar? Gross.

Theatre Company: Village Theatre

Venue: Village Theatre

Venue Physical Address:

• Village Theatre’s Francis J. Gaudette Theatre: 303 Front Street North, Issaquah, WA 98027
• Everett Performing Arts Center: 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201

Price Range: $75-123

Ticket Affordability Options: See the theatre’s official page about discounts and pay-what-you-can performances

Dates:

• Issaquah: January 21 to February 23, 2025
• Everett: March 1 to 23, 2025

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking:

• Issaquah: Free street parking and certain free parking lots. Lot parking availability is very difficult to find though. I’ve basically given up on that. I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that mostly only locals know about.
• Everett: Free street parking and some paid parking lots/garages.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Bluesky
• Facebook
• YouTube

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

• https://villagetheatre.org/shows/murder/
• Program

Pictures: See production pictures below by Auston James.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.