Unlike many successful jukebox musicals, the Olivier Awards’ Best New Musical Jersey Boys serves not only as a fantastic musical, but as a faithful documentary of the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Making its debut at California’s famous La Jolla Playhouse in October 2004, Jersey Boys transferred to New York a year later where it was an instant smash, taking four Tony Awards, including Best Musical as well as armfuls of Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics’ Circle awards. The Original Broadway Cast Recording even won Jersy Boys a Grammy. The show’s success was then mirrored elsewhere in the US in Las Vegas and on a national tour.

Despite a recent run of failed jukebox musicals in the West End, Jersey Boys was a triumph. Before performances began, it seems the speculation over how a successful Broadway show would fare in an environment where similar shows were failing only generated more interest. With full houses, Broadway approval and solid support from original Seasons Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio, Jersey Boys opened to rave reviews in February 2008.

With its award winning set design, direction and ingenious casting, Jersey Boys has survivied against the odds in London, a testament to its perfect mix of drama, documentary and some fantastic music.

• Review from the Independent
• Review from the Telegraph
• Review from the Times
• The Four Seasons on Wikipedia