Comments on: A Tribute to John Altieri by Erich Bergen

By: Theresa Polley-Shellcroft

Theresa Polley-Shellcroft — Sat, 30 May 2009 18:57:47 +0000

I had the sincere honor and pleasure to work, laugh and create with John at the Idyllwild Arts Summer program for many years. And I had the very excited joy of seeing him in Jersey Boys in Los Angeles…give him a Big Hug and Best Wishes. It is only now, May 29, that I am hurting deeply to know that he is no longer in the sphere of life with us…What sorrow! No words can express. I loved John as a family member, friend and fellow artist. He will be truly missed! My deepest sympathy to his family and to all who had the honor to know him…Shalom dear one!

By: c

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:47:42 +0000

I donâ€™t know if this is the appropriate place to leave a tribute to John but after hearing the tragic news I felt the need to put pen to paper.

1988.
We met in London. We shared an English summer together. The summer was too short but the memories last forever.
We didnâ€™t stay in touch long. I was 20, John 19. Both starting out in life with the insouciance of youth. Different countries. Different continents.
But I still have his postcard from Saint Martin and the dancing flower he sent me for my birthday.

Last week after all these years I decided to look up Johnâ€™s name on Google. What urged me to do it? I donâ€™t know. And why now? Cruel fate perhaps. Who knows.
The sudden thrill at seeing his name and having succeeded in tracking him down. Followed by the immediate wave of cold shock on reading the content of the articles on the net.
So why do I feel so empty and sad. After all, our paths crossed nearly 20 years ago and I know nothing of his life since. I guess what Iâ€™m trying to say so clumsily is that John was a special person who brought light into the lives of all those he met. He will always be a fundamental part of my life story and for that I thank him.

â€œSay not in grief he is no more,
But in joyfulness, he was.â€

My heart-felt condolences go to all his family and friends.

By: Mike B. Magbaleta

Mike B. Magbaleta — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:53:29 +0000

Thanks for the touching tribute! Your cast was the very 1st Jersey Boys production my family watched in late 2006, and remember what a great person John is when we used to visit you guys at the stage door after your performances in San Francisco and Sacramento. I really wished to see him perform one more time at the Palazzo, but at least I have the memories of the times we saw him perform so professionally with the Jersey Boys…..

He truly embodied the character of Bob Crewe as well as the supporting roles that really made us crack up in laughter. John’s “flamboyancy” when playing “Bob” was actually much more energetic than when seeing the actual Bob Crewe in TV interviews and when I met Bob in person, but that was John’s style and we loved it!

I also want to pay my condolences to the National Tour cast members that had already moved on to other ventures because I’m sure it is total shock for them as well….. He’ll always be in our hearts and prayers! Rest in peace, John…..

Thanks Erich!

By: Pam Elliot

Pam Elliot — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:30:58 +0000

I had the privilege of seeing John perform the night my brother Douglas Crawford played Nick Massi in L.A.
It was one of the most memorable nights of my life! I know my brother is grieving and I hurt for him and for all of you who have lost your friend John. Thank you for sharing your special memories with the rest of us.

By: Deborah Williams

Deborah Williams — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:28:11 +0000

For all of you who knew John……your beautiful words allow us to know him. I watched him in the show, so many performances (I’m Taylor’s Mom) and always looked forward to the scenes he was in….he made me laugh, no matter how many times I sat in that audience. He had a magic on stage that made the scene come alive. His energy and spirit will always be a part of Jersey Boys and with all of you who knew him……that doesn’t die. My heart goes out to his family and all of you in the cast who knew and loved him.