"Jersey Boys' sets toes to tapping at Palo Alto Players

 

The Four Seasons (from left): Bob Guido (Andrew Cope), Ricki Valli (James M. Jones), 
Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin) and Nick Massi (Justin Kerekes). Scott Lasky photo

The Tony-winning “Jersey Boys,” presented by Palo Alto Players, is more than a rousing jukebox musical featuring the hits of the Four Seasons in the 1960s.

Instead it’s an inside look at the famed quartet, its climb to success and the inevitable tensions stemming from fame and life on the road.

The Four Seasons were four guys from New Jersey who began singing on street corners.

Personnel changed over the years, but at the core of the group were Tommy DeVito (Tyler Savin), its manager; Nick Massi (Justin Kerekes); Bob Gaudio (Andrew Cope), its songwriter and the composer for this show; and Frankie Valli (James M. Jones), whose soaring falsetto contributed to the group’s distinctive sound.

Bob Crewe (Danny Martin) was the studio manager (and the show’s lyricist) who recorded and produced some of its songs.

With each of the four men telling parts of the story, it unfolds chronologically as the group began by singing others’ songs, such as “Silhouettes,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and “Earth Angel.”

About halfway through the first act the group belts out a string of its own toe-tapping hits such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Dawn” and “Walk Like a Man.”

The second act, when things start to go sour between the men and their families, still features such winners as “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Working My Way Back to You” and “Rag Doll.”

Directed by Doug Santana with musical direction by Nick Kenbrandt and vocal direction by Daniel Lloyd Pias, this production features outstanding singing and acting by all of the principals, especially Jones as Frankie, as well as the large supporting cast.

It also has some energetic dances choreographed by Whitney Janssen. The flexible set is by Patrick Klein, who also designed the scene-setting projections.

Lighting is by Edward Hunter, costumes by Jenny Garcia and sound by Jeff Grafton. Nicole Hoke deserves credit for the hair and wig designs, especially for the women.

Because ticket demand for this highly entertaining show has been so great, a performance has been added May 1.

Running about two hours and 45 minutes with an intermission, “Jersey Boys” will continue through May 4 at the Lucie Stern Theater, 1350 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Because of some strong language, it’s recommended for ages 12 and up.

For tickets and information, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org.

 

 

 

Hillbarn stages world premiere of 'Writing Fragments Home'

 

Mary Gwen (Jen Cuevas) and son Jay (Jomar Tagatac) celebrate her birthday. (Mark Kitaoka photo)

Having lost his sense of purpose along with his girlfriend and his job, an aspiring playwright moves back in with his mother.

So begins Jeffrey Lo’s “Writing Fragments Home,” being given its world premiere by Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory.

Jay (Jomar Tagatac) is the son of Filipino immigrants. His widowed mother, Mary Gwen (Jen Cuevas), is a hard-working nurse with a bad back. She loves her 40-year-old son, but makes him sleep on the couch and wishes he would get a real job.

During Jay’s attempts to write a scene in which two people are attracted to each other, their scene is enacted by actors played by Brigitte Losey and Jamiel St. Rose, who both play several roles in the play. If this scene is any indication of Jay’s talents, it’s no wonder his plays haven’t been produced.

During conversations with his mom, Jay learns more about his Filipino heritage and why his parents left the Philippines and settled in the Bay Area: Even though they were doing well in their home country, they wanted a good life for their son.

In other dream or fantasy scenes, Jay talks with his father, Ronaldo (Jepoy Ramos), who died when Jay was in his early teens. During their talks, Jay gains insight into his heritage as well as the obstacles faced by his Filipino parents.

Although the first act involves arguments between mother and son, their discussions grow more serious in the second. Still, much of the drama is amply interspersed with humor.

The second act begins with a celebration of Mary Gwen’s birthday. When Jay brings out the cake, he sings “Happy Birthday” in Tagalog and invites the audience to join in. Many do.

Production values are high, thanks to an excellent cast, direction by Reed Flores, the living room set by Christopher Fitzer, mood lighting by Pamila Gray, costumes by Nolan Miranda (the audience liked Jay’s Warriors T-shirt with the number 30 in the second act) and sound by Alan Chang.

Running about two and a half hours with an intermission, “Writing Fragments Home” will continue through May 4 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City.

For tickets and information, call (650) 349-6411 or visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.

 

 

New immigrants celebrate first Thanksgiving in 'Heart Sellers'

 

Jane (Narea Kang, left) looks through Luna's (Nicole Javier) photo album in "The Heart Sellers," (Alessandra Mello)

Two immigrant women, both recently arrived from Asian countries, happen to meet in a grocery store and decide to spend their first American Thanksgiving together.

So begins Lloyd Suh’s “The Heart Sellers,” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.

It’s 1973 in a mid-sized U.S. city. Luna (Nicole Javier), who’s Filipino, welcomes Jane (Narea Kang), who’s South Korean, into her studio apartment. Both women are married to medical residents who can’t be with them.

At first Jane, whose English is limited, is leery, while Luna seems to talk nonstop.

As they wait for the frozen turkey to roast, they drink cheap wine, which fuels their conversation and interactions. Along the way, they reveal more of themselves and their backgrounds, gradually forging a friendship.

The play’s title comes from the Hart-Celler Act, aka the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.

Signed by President Lyndon Johnson, it gave priority to highly skilled immigrants, those who had family living in the U.S. and refugees. Before that, only Western and Northern Europeans had priority.

Although the play is set during Richard Nixon’s administration, it has resonance with today’s immigration policies and issues.

Thus the personal and political undertones make for intriguing theater.

However, the women’s accents are so difficult to understand that some of the meaning is lost despite fine acting by both women and adept direction by Jennifer Chang.

Also benefitting the production are the set by Arnel Sancianco, costumes by Lisa Misako Claybaugh, lighting by Wen-Ling Liao and sound by Ed Lee.

This Northern California premiere is a co-production with Capital Stage in Sacramento and Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley.

Running about 90 minutes with no intermission, it will continue through April 27 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

For tickets and information, call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.theatreworks.org.