The fabulous Jersey Boys is a musical celebration in every sense of the word, chronicling the explosive rise to fame of the Four Seasons on national tour at Playhouse Square's State Theater.

Above all, the musical illuminates a story of enduring friendship and loyalty between its two key characters: the angelic-voiced Frankie Valli and another boy wonder — genius composer Bob Gaudio.

The true-life tale employs excellent dramatic storytelling as it follows four blue-collar boys from Newark who got their start as street-corner singers. The Four Seasons became a '60s pop sensation, bridging the sound between doo-wop and rock.

The authentic Jersey Boys is far superior to jukebox musicals such as Mamma Mia, whose fictional story is manufactured around ABBA's pop canon. Valli and Gaudio approved all the music and dialogue for the show about their own lives. The musical re-creates the band's original arrangements, with all of its beautifully layered harmonies done live.

The Four Seasons wouldn't have existed without the legendary falsetto of Valli, who joined up with hothead Tommy DeVito at age 16. Did DeVito save Valli from a future of juvenile delinquency or did he corrupt him? It's an interesting question that the darker side of this story poses.

Joseph Leo Bwarie, fresh from the Las Vegas production of Jersey Boys, plays the diminutive Valli from age 16 to 60 with a serious bent. Bwarie hits all the right falsetto notes with his ultra-bright singing.

The show's packed with stellar vocals and musicianship and some fine acting. Most notable is Andrew Rannells as songwriter Gaudio, who creates a strong characterization of the brains of the bunch with his deadpan, dry delivery.

Gaudio, introduced to Valli et al by none other than a young Joe Pesci, seized the opportunity to pen some of pop culture's most memorable songs around Valli's otherworldly falsetto. We learn that Valli and Gaudio were all about loyalty, going back to their famous 1961 ''Jersey handshake'' where the pair agreed to split all future profits from any solo work. The deal still stands today.

As the user DeVito, Erik Bates creates the most complex character in the show. (Bates formerly performed with the real Valli as a member of the modern-day Four Seasons.) Rounding out the quartet is Steve Gouveia as the understated Nick Massi.

Sarah Darling, Jamie Karen and Denise Payne are in overdrive as they transform themselves repeatedly for more than 40 female roles.

Seeing Jersey Boys is an exhilarating experience. Director Des McAnuff has created brilliant staging that keeps our perspective shifting, including a backstage view of the guys performing the explosive Dawn (Go Away) at the end of Act I.

The pace is quick, the story's absorbing, and we're emotionally invested in no time. By the time the breakout hit Sherry bursts forth, the audience is celebrating right along with the band.

(Note: Don't take the kiddies to this show, which has plenty of profanity and one sexual situation.)

The innovative set is dominated by a metal bridge and staircases; fun, brightly colored cartoon graphics; and projected images of Newark. For the live shows, you see the actors performing, juxtaposed with vintage video of adoring Four Seasons audiences.

Viewers get the inside scoop on how some numbers came about, including the fascinating genesis of the hit Can't Take My Eyes Off You, which almost didn't see the light of day. It's a testimony to the show's great writing that we're so relieved when Bwarie's Valli finally sings the tune, complete with a dramatic entrance from six hot horn players.

Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony winner for best musical, has sparked a career renaissance for the still-performing Valli. After sharing in the show's joy, it's easy to see why.