Get ready to be swept off your feet! Jonathan "Thor" Raines, who co-choreographed and co-directed Kinky Boots in 2023, is back at Market Theatre as the choreographer for Jersey Boys. Read below for some of Thor's inspiration and creativity for the show!
Photo by Kelly T. Images.
What an absolute joy it has been to choreograph for such an electric and breezy piece of theatre like Jersey Boys! It is not lost on me that this is the regional premiere of the Tony Award winner, so I knew the movements had to be very sul punto (Italian for "on point" -- I'm getting into character, here!).
See the famous marching step in this clip from the 2014 Jersey Boys movie.
From the surprise early-2000s opening to the sweeping tunes of the '60s, I wanted to create lived-in performances and steps that evoked the style of one of the major vocal groups of the modern era. I took inspiration from many of the real-life Four Seasons performances and incorporated some more modern influences. The most loving example of emulating a classic showstopper appears in “Walk Like a Man.” Some may recall the iconic marching step that has become synonymous with that tune; be on the lookout for it (along with a winking nod to how the boys developed it) in the first act! Additionally, one of my favorite aspects of the show was how it began to take many different shapes in our space, which provided lots of opportunities to incorporate unique formations, additional ensemble members, and rich storytelling through movement and dance. Given the perfunctory nature of some of the show's musical numbers, it sometimes proved a challenge to create a stylized movement for each song, but I fully believe you're going to be in for a treat with what the cast has achieved choreographically!
I would be remiss not to mention the dance through-line of the group's most enduring hit, “Oh What a Night (December 1963);” pay attention to the different iterations of this number, and you might notice how the choreography hints at how timeless this classic is. Ever thought you’d see popping and locking in a Four Seasons musical?! Oh, what a night indeed!
Jersey Boys runs March 8 - 25 at Market Theatre. Individual tickets and season passes are on sale now. In addition to the general admission and reserved seats, this show offers a limited number of stage-side tables for two, including a bottle of wine or complimentary drink tickets. Click the link below to purchase your tickets!
