REVIEW – Jersey Forever at Palais Theatre

Review by Jesse Oey

Arriving at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre for Jersey Forever Friday night, it felt like I was walking into a long-overdue reunion I didn’t know I wanted to be a part of.

For one night only, the original Australian cast of Jersey Boys – Bobby Fox, Stephen Mahy, Glaston Toft, and Scott Johnson – return for a victory lap, celebrating the iconic show and timeless music that have shaped their careers.

To fully appreciate the magnitude of this glitzy get-together, we’d have to trace its origins. Jersey Boys is a Broadway phenomenon that tells the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: four New Jersey kids who successfully turned street‑corner harmonies into world-conquering success. The jukebox musical blends documentary‑style storytelling about ambition, camaraderie and the cost of fame, with irresistible 1960s hits like “Sherry”, “Walk Like a Man”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”.

The original Australian production premiered in 2009 at Melbourne’s historic Princess Theatre, led by this charismatic quartet – Fox as frontman Frankie Valli with his lightning-bolt falsetto, flawlessly supported by Toft’s grounded charm, Mahy’s bright, velvety tenor, and Johnson’s cheeky bad-boy edge.

Together, their flawless four-part harmonies turned the production into the stuff of Australian musical-theatre legend (Fox himself claims the standing ovation at their closing performance lasted a whopping TWELVE minutes). A multi-year Australian / New Zealand tour commenced after, followed by short revivals in 2018 and 2024 – with Toft faithfully playing the role of Nick Massi for more than 2,000 shows. Unbelievable!

Vivacious opening act Ruva Ngwenya kicks off the evening’s festivities with a bang. Clad in shimmering gold sequins, Ruva blazes through iconic classics “River Deep, Mountain High”, “Proud Mary” and “Simply the Best”, channelling the same high-octane vitality that made her so beloved during her starring run in Tina Turner: The Musical as the titular songstress.

Then, it was time for the boys. Entertainment all-rounder Bobby Fox commands the room with ease, embodying that unmistakable Valli shimmer through his powerful soaring voice. Fox effortlessly slides in and out of character, sharing light anecdotes in between tunes and bantering with his castmates with profound affection.

Soft-spoken Glaston Toft anchors the quartet with quiet confidence – and thoroughly relishes his well-deserved solo moment during a heartfelt rendition of “Fallen Angel”. Alongside him, Scott Johnson plays up, in equal parts, the cool-guy bravado and disarming comedic timing that made his original performance as Tommy DeVito so unforgettable.

Stephen Mahy is the unmistakable star of the evening, and radiantly sparkles on stage with a carefree, infectious energy. Mahy’s open-hearted presence and honey‑smooth vocals empower him to effortlessly glide through the classics with warmth and conviction. His solo number in Act 2 – “Uptown Girl” – is an effervescent burst of pure unbridled joy. It is easy to see that he is genuinely elated to be part of such a strong legacy.

More than 16 years after opening night, seeing this cast reunite truly feels like watching a piece of history click back into place. On stage, their chemistry is electric; just four mates hanging out, singing soulful tunes under the spotlight. Backed by Jack Earle’s full live big brass band, the evening joyfully brought to life the sound, swagger and soul that made the nation fell over heels with the original production.

As the final notes fade, it’s clear that Jersey Boys remains stitched into the fabric of Melbourne’s musical‑theatre memory. The love and adoration that this dedicated audience has for the show have grown richer overtime – and Jersey Forever honours that devotion beautifully, with a sprinkle of freshness for good measure. By the time the encore rolls in, the entire theatre was on their feet, shimmying along and breaking into rapturous applause.

Oh, what a night – indeed! A truly memorable showing. The boys are hitting Sydney next; don’t miss out.

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