In the Toby’s Dinner Theatre production of 'Jersey Boys,' which tells the story of The Four Seasons, Nicky Kaider stars as Frankie Valli, together with Benjamin Campion, Ben Clark and Patrick Gover (playing Nick, Bob and Tommy). The Broadway musical, which is running through Sept. 1, traces the origins and ups and downs of the famous band from Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Jeri Tidewell Photography

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“Took a walk and passed your house late last night. All the shades were pulled and drawn way down tight. From within, the dim light cast two silhouettes on the shade.” 

If you read that sentence and feared a stalker, then most likely you don’t recognize the lyrics of “Silhouettes,” a 1957 song by The Rays. However, if you broke into song, then Jersey Boys, the current musical at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, is for you.  

Boomers who recall their high school hops, the dances at the teen center, running home to watch Buddy Deane on Channel 13 and American Bandstand will love the show.  

It tells the story of the band The Four Seasons, from its origin in Newark in 1960, right on through the next decades and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. 

It wasn’t always pretty. Frankie Valli and his band experienced hard times, like incurring large debt, the death of Valli’s daughter, infighting, and years without hits or tours. This is the story of that drama, as told by an extremely talented Toby’s cast. 

Jersey Boys opened on Broadway in 2005 and ran until 2017, a total of 4,642 performances.  

The book for the show is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. The original cast album, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, was a bestseller.  

But the show isn’t just a loose collection of familiar songs. 

“This isn’t a jukebox musical. It’s the story of this group — from singing under streetlamps to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” said Mark Minnick, director and choreographer. “It’s the story of what Valli did to get success and to keep it.”  

A special year for Toby’s

Toby’s is celebrating 45 years in Columbia this year. (The theater opened in 1979 with Hello Dolly. Believe it or not, I was there.) 

At the performance I attended, Toby Orenstein herself was present. The longtime artistic director and owner takes great pride in hiring local talent. The actors are not bussed down from New York; they all reside in the general area.  

Many of them appear in just about all of Toby’s shows. The seasoned regulars I recognized in this production included David James, David Bosley-Reynolds, Patrick Gover and Jeff Shankle. 

With seven new people in the cast, the musical took about two months to rehearse, Minnick said. The actors, who perform eight times a week, are in great shape — the show requires lots of stage movement, dancing and changes to sets and costumes.  

An entertaining production 

When you go to the theater, you want to enjoy yourself. With Jersey Boys, the entertainment starts from when the lights go up to the final number, a reprise of “Walk Like a Man.”  

As always, Toby’s has excellent live music. An unseen band plays in a hidden section above the stage, all under the direction of conductor Ross Scott Rawlings.  

The show features period costumes designed by Heather Jackson, scenic and lighting design by David A. Hopkins (lots of lighting cues), sound design by Mark Smedley (the theater thrums with the music), and production design by Tori Alioto and David A. Hopkins.  

Valli is played, with falsetto voice perfected, by Nicky Kaider. He’s on stage for most of the show, and he’s very good in all the musical numbers.  

He has the stage basically to himself for “My Mother’s Eyes,” “I’m in the Mood for Love” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” I’m sure you know all those tunes, along with “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Dawn,” “Rag Doll” and “C’mon Marianne.”  

Yes, it’s the high school prom all over again, only this time you don’t have to buy a corsage. 

Do you need to be a boomer to enjoy this? It wouldn’t hurt, but certainly not. I did speak to some of the younger audience members, and they told me they didn’t know the songs but liked their presentation. 

At Toby’s, the shows are in the round, but as the host who speaks to the audience before the show pointed out, the farthest seat is just 27 feet away.  

An 8 p.m. show gets you out at about 11 p.m. (grandparents take note), and there is some strong language and one quick scene with drug use.  

Jersey Boys runs through Sept. 1, followed by The Addams Family, starting on Sept. 6.  

Toby’s is located at 5900 Symphony Woods Rd. in Columbia. Advance reservations are required. 

Performances take place Tuesday through Saturday night at 8 p.m. (doors open for buffet at 6 p.m.) and Sunday night at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). There are matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (buffet brunch for matinees opens at 10:30 a.m.). 

The pre-show all-you-can-eat buffet consists of a salad bar, veggies, pasta, baked fish, a carving station, shrimp, chicken, meat loaf and a dessert bar in the lobby. (Special drinks and desserts are available for an extra charge.) 

Tickets are $63-$86 for adults and $60-$63 for children 12 and under, depending on performance. 

Those 65 and over may attend any Tuesday or Wednesday performance for $67.15. Tickets may be purchased from the box office at (410) 730-8311, or online via Ticketmaster for an extra service fee.