Monday, March 17, 2008

Jersey Boys


Yesterday was my husbands 52nd birthday. I surprised him with tickets to see the show 'Jersey Boys' on broadway. The show was spectacular! All the raves I had heard were true. It is truly one of the most entertaining shows with a great groovy story and nostalgic catchy tunes. As I sat spellbound by the captivating tale of Frankie Valli and the four seasons, many forgotten wonderful memories came floating back.
When I was a young girl in the 60's, my mom was a waitress at a diner type place called 'The Red Barn'. It was right up the road from where I lived, so even as a very young girl, I was able to walk there alone. Somedays I would just spend time hanging out at a booth, coloring, visiting my mom when she was slow AND begging her for change to play the huge Juke box.
In 1967, there was only one tune that juke box played more than any other. 'Can't take my eyes off of you' by Frankie Valli. When the chorus began with a booming " I LOVE YOU BABY AND IF IT'S QUITE ALRIGHT..." The Red barn seemed to come alive. People would sing out loud along with Frankie. Waitresses grabbed each other and began dancing in front of the juke box. That one song seemed to take everyone away for a few minutes. It was a contagious happiness that I am so thrilled I've remembered again. As a matter of fact, in the play, they convey that their fans were not the flower children of the 60's but the gas attendants and the waitresses with dark circles under their eyes. I imagine I wasn't the only one in the August Wilson Theater that suddenly had goosebumps and tears emerge. This show not only allowed me the fun of tapping my feet to it's enchanting pulse, It allowed me a trip back, to a time lost, a time SO worth remembering.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a sweet memory. The show sounds great.

[Our diners had small jukebox-type devices at each booth that played your selection for everyone in the restaurant in the order that you paid for it. So, it was very important to get your selection into the system as soon as you sat down because you could easily finish your meal before your song came up-- which meant that you never got to hear it and wasted your money.]

Anonymous said...

What a great thing to do! That wonderful old song brings back happy memories for me too.I can still hear in playing on the juke box in our favourite coffee bar

paisley said...

what an absolutely great gift,, and i can only imagine the electricity in the room!!!! i have goose bumps just thinking about it... what a waltz down memory lane!!!!!

rel said...

Lucy,
Amazing! You know how one thing leads to another? You reminising about Franki and your mom at the diner in 1967 got me to remembering where I was in 1967; Elmhurst City hospital as a student nurse. We lived in Jackson heights on the corner of 52nd St, and Northern Blvd. Our first child, a daughter, was delivered at Elmhurst. I moon- lighted at Astoria General nights....see what you started. ;)
rel

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful memory down the lane. I loved reading this...

insanely inconclusive

Giggles said...

Thanks for that wonderful stroll down memory lane! Happy Birthday to that teddy bear of a husband of yours!!!
I loved that song too, and jukeboxes.
Very sweet story of childhood. Thanks for sharing!!

Hugs Sherrie

anthonynorth said...

Marvellous song. And a marvellous experience.

Tumblewords: said...

A gift that keeps on giving - as they say - the memories you unleashed here will circle around many - What a wonderful experience for you and your hubby - thanks for sharing! Now I feel great!

Robin said...

What a wonderful story - now you've got my feet tapping and my mouth singing along too.

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday Mr. Petals! I'm sorry I'm late to the party!! Additional Happy Easter greetings...not to mention Spring blessings to Ms. Lucy and her wonderful family!
xoxoxoxox, Jenny