October 23, 2008

Jarrod Spector’s Journey to Jersey Boys!

October 23rd, 2008

Jarrod Spector
Photo by Krystal Thomsen.

Michael Klein of Philly.com has a terrific feature on Jarrod Spector and his parents about the singer/actor’s early career in show business and his amazing journey in Jersey Boys playing Frankie Valli in San Francisco, Chicago, and now Broadway!

Here’s a preview of Klein’s piece:
The guy speed-walking out of the subway, tugging on his tongue with a paper towel as he crosses Seventh Avenue, is running late for work. It’s Jarrod Spector, sneaking in vocal exercises.

“Anywhere else, people would look at me kind of strange,” Spector, 27, says, settling into his dressing room at the August Wilson Theatre. “In New York, it’s normal.”

Jersey Boys – which won four Tonys in 2006, including one for best musical – is the briskly told documentary of the Four Seasons. “I look at it as a Martin Scorsese film with a concert mixed into it,” Spector says.

Spector says it’s his job not to do an impression of Valli but “to do him justice and present him as an honest character. . . . The person on the page [of the script] is not the same as the man.”

Spector says the Valli role is “rare” in that it allows him to balance his artistic side and his pragmatic side.

“It’s hard to figure out what follows this,” says Spector, who has signed on for a year. “I’m kidding myself if I believe I’m right for all the roles out there. I’m under 5-9, dark, pass for Italian. This is me on the sheet.”

6 Comments »

  1. It was a thrill to see Jarrod for the first time as Frankie Valli recently. Jarrod is a spectacular performer, sings like an angel, has fabulous stage presence, and fits in seamlessly with the new cast. He was warm and gracious after the show, and seems genuinely happy to be on Broadway. Welcome, Jarrod, and congratulations!!

    Pamela

    Comment by Pamela — October 23, 2008 @ 9:33 am

  2. Wow, a whole year on Broadway in Jersey Boys. Congratulations, Jarrod. You are a terrific actor.

    Comment by LindaL — October 24, 2008 @ 9:20 am

  3. I saw JB in NYC on Thursday night – the show still takes my breath away. I was sitting in row F stage right on the aisle. I think I saw Jarrod doing some exercises while his back was to the audience. The lighting was on the Massi character – but I could see opening his mouth wide like a yawn and sticking his tongue out – he was making the Gyp character laugh. I saw Jarrod back in SF, in Chicago and now NYC – he is my favorite Frankie and he so deserves this time on the Great White Way.

    Comment by Elizabeth — October 25, 2008 @ 5:43 pm

  4. My husband and I saw Jersey Boys recently along with my brother and sister-in-law (her third time). Aside from sitting in back of a man with big hair who kept moving his head, it was a FANTASTIC show. Jarrod, you were supurb as were the other three. Thanks.

    Comment by Linda — October 9, 2009 @ 11:22 am

  5. Hi Jarrod,
    You were really amazing when I saw you & the boys on the Sat nite Feb 27th show. You are right about bringing your honesty to the show. It shines through and is heartily welcomed. Keep up the good work & good luck in all your future endeavors. You are loved.

    Comment by Patty Pavelchak — March 14, 2010 @ 2:34 pm

  6. Hi Jarrod
    I will be coming back to New York next month and I am making it a point to stop in and see Jersey Boys. This will be my 13th time seeing it. Each time that I go back to see it, I find something new that I had missed before. I was so happy to hear that you were back and that you are staying for awhile. In my opinion you and the cast of Jersey Boys are the real deal and the best thing out there. Keep up the great work…BREAK-A-LEG….and I’ll be counting the days until I’m sittine in the August WSilson Theatre!!!!

    Comment by A.J. Jacobs — November 11, 2012 @ 10:47 pm

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