John Lloyd Young in Jersey Boys

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 9:25pm

Has anyone seen JLY in Jersey Boys with the original company and then now? If anyone has how does he compare now to the first time when he was nominated for the Tony?

[dreamz]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 10:05pm

There is no one who can compare to JLY in Jersey Boys. I've seen all the "Frankie Vallis" and he is the best.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/18/13 at 11:10pm

Just saw him on my TV.
Has he had "work" done on his face?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/19/13 at 12:10am

well, some of the original cast has been with the show all 8 years. while other cast members have been in the show for 4-5 years.

[JLBFAN2009]

Posted: 5/19/13 at 7:04am

I personally did not see Mr. Young when Jersey Boys first opened on Broadway; I saw him for the first time last September. However, the couple sitting in front of me saw him shortly after he won his Tony award, as did the woman to my left, and they all commented that his falsetto seemed to have deteriorated over the years. I wondered about his voice during the performance...he definitely sounded like he was struggling to hit the high notes. I have seen the show many times (3 companies, multiple cities), and no other Frankie made me feel like I needed to clear my own throat. I chalked it up to the fact that there was no 2-show Frankie during that first return run. Mr. Young's acting, however, was superb.

Updated On: 5/19/13 at 07:04 AM

[zamedy]

Posted: 5/19/13 at 11:03pm

Just saw the Second National Tour w/Brad Weinstock as Frankie Valli. He did a great job, and I know he is playing a young Valli, but I often felt like he was still *too young* for the role, if that makes sense. His singing was good but never wowed me. His acting left me wanting more emotion from his Frankie.

Devon Goffman as Tommy DeVito was a revelation.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 5/19/13 at 11:05pm

I saw him about a month ago and thought he was phenomenal. As a trained singer there were parts that his falsetto seemed weak but that was rare and it was a Friday night so I just assumed he's tired after a week of performance.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/19/13 at 11:11pm

I think Joseph Leo Bwarie is the best Frankie.

[thepangelinanpost]

Posted: 5/20/13 at 1:01am

Saw him last night, he definitely seemed to struggle in the higher range. Though all I have to compare is the cast recording; I didn't see him back when it opened. Side note, Andy Karl was great.

Posted: 5/20/13 at 9:11am

Bettyboy72, I agree with you about Joseph Leo Bwarie. He was definitely the best of the 10 Frankies that I've seen. I did like John Lloyd Young, but his falsetto was not particularly strong.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/20/13 at 9:36am

I saw JLY in 2007 and again when he returned last year. He was WAY better the second time.

[wicked4l]

Posted: 5/20/13 at 11:19am

Saw the original cast and then his return last summer, he is great but there was a very notable difference in vocal ability. Obviously because your voice changes over time, but if you're expecting the vocals on the recording, you'll be disappointed.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 5/20/13 at 8:41pm

I totally agree that Joseph Leo Bwarie is the best Frankie. I saw Brad's understudy Chris Messina and he was good but kinda like Brad, he looked like he was 15 years old. Anyway I'm seeing JLY in June does anyone know if he's still gonna be with the show?

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 1:44pm

I haven't seen John since his return but saw him several times early in his original run. When he was good, he was very, very good. The problem was that he wasn't always good. I've seen several other Frankies. The one whose performance I enjoyed almost as much as I enjoyed John was Jeff Madden with the Canadian cast.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 8:37pm

"I think Joseph Leo Bwarie is the best Frankie."

I've seen him twice as Frankie Valli, and I thorough enjoyed his performance

When is JLY with the show until?

[shocowo]

Posted: 5/21/13 at 8:59pm

JLY's last performance is supposed to be June 23.