Oh What A Night! Jersey Boys’ Brisbane return hits it out of the park

Less is more. Prospero Arts’ production of Jersey Boys, which opened at QPAC’s Concert Hall for a limited season only, proves it.

The Jersey Boys production at QPAC, L to R is Connor Crawford, (Tommy DeVito) Jack Saunders (Bob Gaudio), Josh Mulheran (Frankie Valli) and Glaston Toft (Nick Massi). Photo: Joel Devereux.

Less is more.

Prospero Arts’ production of Jersey Boys, which opened at QPAC’s Concert Hall last night, proves it.

A reimagined staging of the beloved musical, Prospero’s interpretation does away with the scenes and sets, offering a seamless, concert-style experience where the small ensemble ushers the audience through the story of the Four Seasons, from the mean streets of New Jersey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

And what an ensemble. Brisbane’s Josh Mulheran doesn’t miss a beat as Frankie Valli, his voice developing as the story progresses from helium-sucking falsetto in the early days until he absolutely hits it out of the park with Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, one of many showstoppers but perhaps the highlight of the evening.

Jersey Boys, The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at QPAC. Photo: Joel Devereux.

Almost stealing the show from headliner Mulheran is Connor Crawford’s Tommy Devito, the streetwise driving force behind the band and the architect of its demise. Not once does Crawford’s tough-guy accent slip, not once does the sparkle leave his eye, and more than anyone he transports the audience back to the early days of rock.

Jack Saunders, another Brisbane boy, oozes charm as songwriting genius Bob Gaudio. who, under pressure to come up with a hit, writes Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Walk Like a Man, with the brilliantly choreographed performances transporting the audience to the front row of a 1962 concert.

And then there’s bassist Nick Massi, the Ringo of the group, who provides the pathos, the perfectly timed comedy moments and the booming deep voice that the role demands.

The Jersey Boys production at QPAC. Photo: Joel Devereux.

As the Four Seasons tell their story, the supporting cast play multiple roles, invisibly moving the minimalist sets as imaginative lighting and video effects do just enough to spark the imagination but never too much to distract the audience or slow down the production.

But of course, it’s all about the music. Vocally the ensemble are magnificent, and the concert-feel of the production had opening night audiences literally dancing in the aisles.

There is however one major problem with Jersey Boys. It premiered last night and only runs until Sunday. Prospero Arts has caught lightning in a bottle, assembling a world class cast and world-beating creatives to put on a show that deserves a longer run and a bigger audience.

But it’s not to be. So if you can get a ticket, get one. You’ll love it. As Tommy Devito might say, trust me.

Jersey Boys, the Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

QPAC’s Concert Hall from

8 to 11 February 2024.