A Tale of Two Frankies
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
If you are a fan of the musical Jersey Boys, which made its Canadian debut back in 2008, then you will LOVE How We Got to Jersey. And if you enjoy behind-the-scenes, inside-scoop stories, you will really LOVE How We Got to Jersey. This show which includes amazing singing, a great band, and stories covering the good and bad, is on stage at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre for just three more performances. Call now for tickets. It was nearly a full house last night, despite having to compete with a very important baseball game.
Both Adrian Marchuk and Jeff Madden played Frankie Valli in the original Canadian cast of Jersey Boys. Taking on the role of Frankie is very difficult, as they point out in their dialogue. Frankie sings in all but three of the songs in the show, and sings them in a very high, throat-stretching voice.
No one can sing like that for eight shows a week, so two Frankies were needed to share the role and save their singing voices. Jeff Madden landed the part for six shows a week, while Adrian Marchuk did it for two shows. The pair poke fun at each other, as Adrian explains how often he played second fiddle to Jeff.
The backstory of how they got there is very interesting. The two men barely knew each other, but were running into each other at auditions, constantly competing for the same role. The world of professional theatre in Canada is relatively small, so bumping into each other frequently turned into an unspoken rivalry. Both confess to disliking the other.
We learn the inside story of all the auditions and call backs they went through to land the much-coveted role of Frankie. Their life-long competition continues right into this current show. We are left wondering if they have really become friends – or not?
During the show, they sing all the great Jersey Boys hits – or should we say Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons hits. You will hear all the favourites: “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “My Eyes Adored You”, “Dawn (Go Away)”, “Beggin'”, “Rag Doll”, and “Who Loves You”. All songs were sung perfectly in Frankie Valli’s natural tenor range along with his powerful high falsetto.
They talk about the thrill of becoming a star. Jeff’s giant photo covers the wall of the theatre, and he gets asked for autographs at the stage door. But they also talk openly about negative impacts of such a demanding role. Jeff is a Dad with two daughters – being on stage six days a week kept him away from his toddlers. Adrian talks about dealing with depression.
Even after the Toronto Jersey Boys closed, the two men carried on as Frankie, Jeff in Australia and Adrian in Las Vegas.
While it’s obvious that they loved their time as Frankie, being a stage star playing a rock star wasn’t easy. It took a toll on their voices and their health, as well as with their families and relationships. Their honesty tugs our heart strings, amidst the joy of their success. Their stories together with their singing make for a wonderful evening out.
My only concern is with the sound level of the band. Much of time, they continue playing as the two men are speaking, and unfortunately, the music drowns out their speaking voices. Background music is nice, but it needs to be kept in the background.
My only other concern with this show is that it opened on the same evening as the first game of the Blue Jays’ World Series. We had to rush right home after the show to see how the Jays were doing. They were tied 2-2 when I put on my lucky Blue Jays hat, and quickly it became 11-2 for the Jays. I think the two Frankies should consider starting their show earlier to ensure the Jays get their much-need support.
This Tale of Two Frankies (as the show is subtitled) offers compelling and fascinating stories. The two performers with their marvellous singing voices give brilliant performances. Their honest storytelling and taking the audience on the ups and downs with them is heartwarming. They give us a glimpse into the life of a performer. Combine that with their amazing singing, and this is a must-see show. You leave the theatre feeling like you’ve just made friends with two really nice guys.
Call now for your tickets for this afternoon or Sunday evening, so you don’t miss a World Series game!
How We Got to Jersey continues at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope until October 26, 2025. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 905-885-1071 or visiting https://capitoltheatre.com/
Photo: Adrian Marchuk and Jeff Madden – Two Frankies.
How We Got to Jersey
Created and performed by Adrian Machuk and Jeff Madden
Musical Direction by Mark Camilleri
Music by Michael Vieira, Emile D’Eon, Dave Peters, Peter Bleakney
Capitol Theatre, Port Hope
October 24-26, 2025
Reviewed by Mary Alderson