'Jersey Boys' charms crowd at Hanover Theatre.

• Author: Kolas, Paul
• Position: Living

Byline: Paul Kolas

'Jersey Boys'

Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics Bob Crewe, directed by Des McAnuff, scenic design Klara Zieglerova, costume design Jess Goldstein, lighting design Howell Binkley, sound design Steve Canyon Kennedy. Presented by The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Performances 8 p.m. Jan. 24 and 31; 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 25 and Feb. 1; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28-30. Tickets: $40-$80. VIP tickets: $127. Order tickets online at TheHanoverTheatre.org or call the box office at (877) 571-SHOW (7469). With Hayden Milanes as Frankie Valli, Nicolas Dromard, Jason Kappus, Adam Zelasko, Shaun Taylor-Corbett as Frankie Valli for Saturday and Sunday matinees, Barry Anderson, Ian Joseph, Marlana Dunn, John Rochette, Thomas Fiscella, Michelle Pruiett, Rachel Schur, Jaycie Dotin, Tommaso Antico and De'Lon Grant.

WORCESTER -- Oh, what a night. And there will be plenty more to come during the unprecedented 12-day, 16-performance run that The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts is according its presentation of "Jersey Boys.''

It's the crown jewel of the Hanover's current Broadway season, and judging by Wednesday evening's momentously ingratiating performance, it should be. It's the ideal hybrid of popular entertainment and critical darling, a Tony Award-winner with soul, wit and raw authenticity.

What Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe wrought in 2005 was the perfect marriage of great storytelling and addictive, joyous music, its brilliance defined by organically inserting the music into the narrative, rather than stitching together a series of flimsy vignettes between musical numbers.

It doesn't matter if you're old enough to remember hearing "Sherry'' for the first time on your transistor radio, or if you've never heard of the Four Seasons. There is something about "Jersey Boys'' that connects with audiences as few shows in the history of American musical theater ever have.

For some, it's all about the waves of nostalgia it engenders. For others, it's a classic take on the pursuit of the American Dream. Its rags-to-riches trope is full of wise-cracking humor, stirring success, troubling conflict and regrettable tragedy. As the shows says, you ask four guys, you get four different answers.

The roadshow cast for this production is superb from top to bottom. Hayden Milanes is sensationally affecting as Frankie Valli...