Jersey Boys at NOLA's Saenger Theatre
Looking around the nearly full house on opening night of Jersey Boys at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, I noticed plenty of gray hair and local well-to-dos. This was an audience that might remember when Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons burst onto the scene just before the British Invasion of the mid-1960s. The story follows four troubled kids from northern New Jersey as they rise to fame—and eventually fall from grace—as the original members drift away, leaving Valli to carry on long after the group's heyday.
The touring production may be facing a similar struggle to stay relevant. Just 10 minutes into opening night, the video screen began glitching, sending the house lights up and bringing the show to a 15-minute halt while the crew worked to fix the problem. The audience grew restless, and the interruption abruptly pulled everyone out of the moment just as the band's story was beginning to take off.
I saw Jersey Boys on Broadway a few years after its triumphant 2004 debut, and I was blown away by the performances and the enduring appeal of songs that helped pave the way for the rock 'n' roll explosion of the 1960s. I'm not sure whether it was the technical mishap—or the fact that my own hearing isn't what it was 20 years ago—but this time around, I just wasn't blown away. My date, who was seeing the show for the first time, felt the same. Despite her love of the music, she found the story lacking the depth needed to pull her in. That said, the cast was more than capable, delivering strong vocals and performances throughout.
Believe it or not, Frankie Valli is still performing in Atlantic City at the ripe old age of 92. But as the generation that remembers his glory days grows smaller, it's fair to wonder how much longer Jersey Boys will resonate with audiences when the touring company rolls through town.
Still, I'd recommend the show to first-timers. There's no guarantee it'll be back, and a night at the beautiful Saenger Theatre is always worth considering—especially when it comes with a dose of Broadway nostalgia, even if the magic doesn't quite hit the way it once did.
Jersey Boys is currently running in New Orleans' Saenger Theatre
until September 27, 2026. Tickets can be purchased on atgtickets.com.
