Jarrod Spector Plays Frankie in Second National Tour!
April 1st, 2007On his blog, John Lloyd Young congratulates his buddy Jarrod Spector, who will be playing Frankie Valli in the second Jersey Boys national tour! The second national tour that will play Chicago begins rehearsals in New York tomorrow!
Jarrod has been playing the alternate Frankie Valli in the Jersey Boys national tour. Here’s a brief bio on the new Frankie from the Jersey Boys National Tour website: Jarrod attended Princeton University and trained at the Atlantic Theater Conservatory. Along with his success as a six-year-old on “Star Search,” his theatre credits have included: Les Miserbles on Broadway; national tours of Les Miz and Twist; and Off-Broadway productions of Hamlet; Our Country’s Good; and The Vy.
Congratulations to Jarrod Spector and the entire second national tour Jersey Boys cast!
That’s great news. I never got to see him play the role while he was in San Francisco but I heard only great things about his preformance. I can’t wait to see him as Frankie. Now if only they would announce the rest of the cast already.
Comment by Mike — April 1, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
Wow! Now Jarrod will get what he truly always deserved, the “lead” Frankie. If you haven’t seen him, then make sure you do. I’ve seen him twice because I knew when his performances were in SF. He is fantastic! I couldn’t stop looking at him. Congrats Jarrod. I’m so happy you’ll be staying in SF and thrilled for you to open in Chicago. Can’t wait to see you in the show again.
Comment by Melissa — April 1, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
I saw both Jarrod and Chris Jones and I think Jarrod will do very well, particularly as he grows into the part. Initially, when I saw him, I didn’t quite get the “feel” of him as Frankie, but as the show went on, I became a very enthusiastic fan. Congrats to him and lots of luck too!
Comment by MamaLucy — April 1, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
I really love this guy in the role. He gives a completely different take on it, much closer to the “real” Frankie Valli, tough and steely. Although not as close to the book, which makes Frankie a little wimpy. He also does the best Frankie vocal impersonation, bar none, both falsetto and non-falsetto. Oh, and he’s darn nice-looking, to boot (not that it matters).
Comment by Lana — April 2, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Watching Christopher Jones, John Lloyd Young and Jarrod Spector all portraying Frankie Valli was a treat! It’s difficult to differentiate between all three because they’re professionals and you can’t get any closer to the real thing! I found out about this news during last Wednesday’s (March 28th) Curran Theatre matinee from my wife and son when Erich Bergen (Bob Gaudio), made an emotional announcement on stage stating that Jarrod was leaving the 1st touring cast to start the 2nd National Tour. Very heartfelt moment that also got the audience welling up too! We wish all three casts the best of luck and continued success/more awards to come!
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — April 2, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
I read on another site that Steve Gouveia will be playing the role of Nick Massi on the the tour. Can anybody confirm this?
Comment by A — April 4, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
Oh, I will really miss Jarrod Spector as frankie Valli. He’s amazing! I saw the show three times with jarrod spector and each performance was better than the last. He’s the quintessential Frankie Valli to me. Good Luck in chicago jarrod and all your jersey boys fans in san fran. will miss you! I hope they make a movie out of this fabulous show, It would be a total smash!
Comment by christy — April 10, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Jarrod Spector you’re performance in jersey boys was out of this world and terrific! I saw it only once but I remember it as if I saw it yesterday. Your performance was so real, and your voice was pitch perfect! I hope to see you in Chicago and maybe again in San Francisco!
Comment by Dor — April 10, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
We just saw Jerrod Spector in Jersey Boys (SF) 1 week ago. His presence and growth of the character was stunning in his vocals as well as acting. The cast, especially Spector, made the musical touching and memorable. As the show moved from one hit to the next, the show seemed all too short. The crowd in SF went nuts for the cast, as they are accomplished and truly exceptional. Spector seemed so at home in his role. It was if he was born to be in this role. We are planning to go back and see another show.
Comment by Beverly Popek — June 16, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
I’ve seen Jarrod twice; once as the alternate Frankie Valli when the first touring cast was in SF and just last week (8-11-07) at the 2:00 matinee. He is spectacular–even better than the first time I saw him. No doubt he’s grown into the part. I sat in the third row for this (my 4th!) show and you could really see all the subtle nuances and expressions of all the actors. Jarrod’s performance stirred up all my emotions, and in some of the more dramatic scenes I had to force the lump in my throat back down and try to catch my breath. Thanks, Jarrod, for a tremendous ride! Keep up the great job–I’ll be seeing you again (hopefully) at the 9-1 and 9-22 performances.
Comment by JK1960 — August 17, 2007 @ 8:09 am
Jarrod is definitely a class act and a true professional on stage! This was based upon the many times I’ve watched him perform as well as last night’s “East Meets West” JBB Fantastic Fan meeting at the Curran in SF! Since Jarrod is from Irene Eizen’s “neck of the woods” back East, she was excited at the prospect of seeing him perform, but I’ll let the fellow bloggers hear her side of the story when she reports to all of us.
Jarrod is so humble on stage and even when we shake the house with our applause after his songs, he truly absorbs the energy and acknowledges us as a seasoned stage performer never fails to do. We end up leaving the show totally in awe and respect of the man!
We’ll definitely miss the 2nd Nat’l Touring Cast after Sept., but hope to cross paths with them again in the future!
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — August 17, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Mike, I had a little preview from a voicemail Irene left me after the show (2 AM my time) and I’ve listened to it about 10 times now. I’ve heard you and your family are as nice in person as you come across on your FF interview, and that Mrs. Magbaleta is quite the photojournalist; I can’t wait to see the pix. If they’re good, maybe I’ll hire her to airbrush some of mine on the Blog; still haven’t gotten a call to pose for the cover of GQ or any of the muscle mags!!
She loved the show. Never mind “same neck of the woods,” Irene and Buz live two blocks from Jarrod’s parents in PA. So we had “East meets East” out West. As Christian/Deven/Jeremy would say, “Why fly 3000 miles over the mountains and the desert just to meet someone else from your hometown anyway??”
But next to meeting you and your family, she did get to meet my buds Craig Laurie and Mike Ingersoll. I hear Craig, Mike et. al. were all so gracious after the show, that Irene was going to “leave her heart there”, but found out someone else has beaten her to it!!
Comment by Howard Tucker — August 17, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Hi Howard:
It was definitely one of the best evenings that I’ve experienced in conjunction with watching the Jersey Boys! It was a pleasure meeting Irene, Buz, Samantha and the rest of her family! It was also great to see how happy Irene and Samantha were when meeting Jarrod for the first time!
Michael and Craig did mention you and were totally applauding your journalistic qualities in addition to being such an exceptionally great person! Even from 3000 miles away, your friends are missing you, but thanks to technology nowadays, they’re as close as an e-mail or phone call!
I definitely have to plan a trip back east again! It would be nice to see what Irene was mentioning to me about the small differences between all three casts when performing onstage.
In any case, I’ve sent my report to Susie and Dale, complete with pics, and will be awaiting Irene’s report too. They took more photos than we did, but only due to their first time watching the Chicago cast. We have a great group pic, but am not sure when Susie will post them. Hope to meet more of the East Coast fans soon, especially you, since you travel more often to the West!
Take care Howard!
Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — August 17, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
At the Curran a couple weeks ago,
Jarrod Spector,
you blew my old heart and spirit to smithereens.
An amazing voice.
An amazing evening.
Thanks.
wrc
Comment by wayne connaway — September 27, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Jarrod, you entered my heart with your singing. It was a beautiful performance. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so sincere and greatful a performer. I hope I will see you again in Jersey Boys. You have left SAn Francisco, and I might catch up with you in Chicago. Keep up the wonderful singing – - – - from the heart.
NJ
Comment by Nancy Johnson — October 2, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Does anybody know if Jarred Spector is any relation to Phil Spector?
Comment by Marty — October 5, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
I saw Jarrod in Chicago on Saturday and he was AWESOME!!!! Words cannot describe how great the show was.
Comment by Jodi — November 5, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Thank you to the Jersey Boys for making my 65th birthday, November 3rd, one of the best days of my life. I only wish I had a video camera when they sang Happy Birthday to me in the Frankie Valli style. Be still my heart!!
Comment by Linda Lanza — November 5, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
I just saw “Jersey Boys” in Chicago yesterday. I saw the original cast in NYC nearly two years ago. After seeing John Lloyd Young, I thought there could never be a singer/actor to take his place in this show. Happily, I was quite wrong! Jarrod Spector was equally up to the skillful task of what the role requires and certainly exceeded those requirements! What a great singer/performer he is! I hope I’m able to see the show again before the run in Chicago concludes! (The entire cast was stellar!)
Comment by Gary A. Jacobs — December 16, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
Gary, the Chicago production is an open ended run and has not signs of closing any time soon.
Comment by Mike — December 17, 2007 @ 2:14 am
I just saw Jersey Boys in Chicago. THis was my third time; twice in NY and I finally got a chance to take my daughter who lives in Chicago. Jarrod Spector was so fabulous that I could see the show 10 more times! Not only is he handsome/hot/adorable, but his voice and manner made the role truly his own! I loved, loved, loved John Lloyd Young and thought no one could take his place but Jarrod could…..and did…..fantastically!
Comment by Shelli Rafkin — March 24, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
Finally saw Jersey Boys in Chicago last week. What a treat! This was without exception my favorite theatre experience. The entire cast was wonderful but, of course, Jarrod Spector as Frankie Valli stole the show. I don’t know how these wonderful people can maintain that level of energy, make the show seem fresh and new, and keep their voices up to that incredible standard. Yet, somehow they do! I am already in the process of trying to find really good seats for another Chicago performance, which may not be easy. It looks like most of the good seats are taken between now and the end of the year. If I have to settle for just a “decent” seat, I guess I will. Absolutely must see this show again. Thanks to Jarrod and the rest of the cast for making this old Baby Boomer one happy and excited woman! Love to all.
Comment by Paula — June 23, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Who played the lead Frankie Valie role on sat June 28th 2008? He was brilliant.
Comment by ejpower — July 2, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Paula – which nights were you there? I was there Thurs and Fri the 19th and 20th. If you have flexibility, sometimes you will find that excellent seats become availabe a day or so before the show, or even day of. And there’s always rush….
Comment by stubbleyou — July 2, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Jarrod Spector is the best Frankie Valli I’ve ever seen, even though I’ve only seen it once! I loved every minute of the show. He’s a very talented person and he made March 9 a very memorable day for me. Thanks, Jarrod!
Comment by Beth L. — July 3, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
Congrats to all and continued success. Jarrod, I can’t wait to see what is next for you. I am sure you star is getting brighter everyday.
Comment by Richard Spector — August 2, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Saw Jarrod last night and he was amazing. I’m in love.
Comment by NYCDEB — February 15, 2009 @ 10:36 am