April 13, 2007

JBB Fantastic Fan Interview with A. Valentine!

April 13th, 2007

The response to JBB Fantastic Fan Interviews has been truly amazing! Jersey Boys Blog is delighted to present our 13th JBB Fantastic Fan Interview with A. Valentine, who talks about how she became hooked on the show last year; what keeps bringing her back; meeting the incredible cast; and so much more about her connection to Jersey Boys!

JBB: Tell us about yourself.

AV: My name is A. Valentine and I am a dedicated Jersey Boys fan. I love reading Jersey Boys Blog, as well as the cast members’ blogs.

JBB: When did you first hear about Jersey Boys, and how did you become interested in the show?

AV: I first heard about Jersey Boys through my English Honor Society Advisor in December 2005. She booked tickets for the show for April 2006 and asked if I would like to come. I had never heard about Jersey Boys, and I was a little tentative to go, but I went. We had tickets in the rear mezzanine (Row O) but the theatre is small compared to other Broadway theatres, so I still felt that I was close to the stage. I was a little confused when “Ces Soirees-La” began (I actually thought they were speaking mumbled English at first), and I remember thinking, “Great, I have to sit through this for 2 ½ hours.” But as the show progressed, I sat straighter in my seat and was very attentive. By intermission, I was hooked! I ran downstairs to the lobby and bought the cast recording. When the show ended I stood up along with the other audience members and gave the cast a standing ovation. From that moment on, I listened to the cast recording every morning and throughout the day. The cast recording really got me interested in the show even more, and I have been back several times.

JBB: When did you first see Jersey Boys and what was your initial reaction to the show?

AV: Well, I first went in April 2006 (as stated above). My initial reaction was total confusion but then it evolved into utter adoration. After you see the show, it’s no wonder why they won the Tony Award! The show has pizzazz, entertainment, emotion, music…everything that a hit show needs to be. Jennifer Naimo told me that the show is, “Raw, touching, and witty”….and it is exactly that.

JBB: How many times have you seen Jersey Boys and what keeps bringing you back?

AV: I have seen Jersey Boys four times (April 2006, August 2006, December 2006, and April 2007). Lucky for me, I have tickets again in May. The story keeps bringing me back. Every time I have seen the show, I pick up on something new. In April, I was sitting in the front row (thanks to student rush tickets) and I picked up on the fantastic lighting, especially during “Fallen Angel.” My seat was left orchestra, so John Lloyd was facing my direction as he sang the song. During the closing notes, the light begins to fade around him and the last thing you see is the outline of his face as the opening notes of Rag Doll begin. The lighting is magnificent (no wonder they won the Tony-Award for that, too!), the cast is superb, and I also like listening to the audience members chat before the show. I tell everyone around me that they are going to love it! And when the show ends they nod and say, “I loved it!”

JBB: Lots of Jersey Boys’ big fans are from the Baby Boomer generation. As a young fan, what makes this show and the music so appealing to you?

AV: Well, before I saw Jersey Boys, I never even heard of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. But songs like “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” and “Dawn” have a different feel to them, completely unlike today’s music. I like listening to Jersey Boys more than listening to the radio. The show is also unlike any other show that I have seen…and it is definitely not a jukebox musical! The songs are interwoven into the story line so that the songs do push the story along. The script is hilarious and touching at the same time and the cast delivers the lines of the show perfectly. Their timing is great, especially John’s line: “Tommy, it’s a sign!”

AV: Have you met any of the Jersey Boys cast members at the stage door, or elsewhere? Tell us about your experiences.

JBB: I have met most of the cast members including John Lloyd Young, Christian Hoff, J. Robert Spencer, Daniel Reichard, Jennifer Naimo, Michael Longoria, Matthew Scott, and Peter Gregus. Each one is so humble and kind. They all take the time to talk to the fans, sign autographs, and take pictures. It really means a lot to us fans to convey our appreciation to the cast and crew for doing a great job in the show, and having the energy and enthusiasm to continue with the show.

A few weeks ago, I went backstage with John Lloyd Young and he was so kind. He went out of his way to spend time with my mother and I backstage to show us where he “lives” six days a week. He was so humble and he gladly took pictures with us. He answers every single letter I write to him and he always replies within a week. I love reading his blog, as he keeps us all updated on the happenings of Jersey Boys. He really is a wonderful man and actor who truly cares about his fans. I wish him all the luck with the rest of his career!

I also I have a good relationship with Jennifer Naimo. I have been communicating with her through email for several months. It was surprising at first to receive emails from a cast member from my favorite show, but now it seems like we have been emailing each other forever. She was also very sweet when I met her a few weeks ago. She gave me a big hug and said, “I feel like I know you!” She is so funny in the musical, especially during the pizza scene.

JBB: What’s your favorite Jersey Boys’ scene?

AV: This is a hard question. One of my favorite scenes is when the group is breaking up and they sing ‘Stay,’ ‘Let’s Hang On,’ “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry Bout Me),” and “Bye Bye Baby.” The transitions are great and everything runs so smoothly.

One of my other favorite scenes is when Frankie has his entrance during “Silhouettes.” I love how he walks on the stage and sings in his signature falsetto voice. It is believable that he is a 16 year-old kid that is undiscovered.

JBB: How about your favorite musical number in JB?

AV: My favorite musical number is “Fallen Angel.” This song has so much emotion and John Lloyd Young accurately conveys a feeling of sadness so that the audience feels the heartbreak too. Every time I see the song performed I get the chills.

One of my other favorite numbers is “Dawn,” particularly the last few notes. I like how the four guys turn around to make it look like we are viewing them from backstage. Daniel Reichard’s line before the last notes of “Dawn” is really remarkable, “”We weren’t a social movement like the Beatles. Our fans didn’t put flowers in their hair and try to levitate the Pentagon – maybe they should have. Our people were the guys that shipped overseas, and their sweethearts. They were the factory workers, the truck drivers, the kids pumping gas, flipping burgers, the pretty girl with circles under her eyes behind the counter at the diner. They’re the ones who really got us – who pushed us over the top.” At that point, the audience realizes the Four Seasons’ impact. How they survived through the British Invasion and have hit songs to prove it. Then, Daniel turns around and the last notes of “Dawn” are heard.

JBB: Do you have a favorite line from the show?

AV: Well, apart from the lines that I already mentioned, I like Tommy’s line when all four guys are in jail, “’Oh mi oh mi oh my oh…did some time in old Ohio.” Christian never fails to make me laugh during that line.

I also like all the guys closing statements before “Who Loves You.”

JBB: You were born many years after the Four Seasons’ heyday and you said before that you were not familiar with the group before the show. What have you found out about the group through watching Jersey Boys?

AV: No, I was not familiar with the Four Seasons before I saw Jersey Boys. When I saw the show, I recognized “Oh, What A Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” but I didn’t know they were Four Seasons’ songs. I was familiar with Frankie Valli’s, “Grease,” though. But, I never knew Frankie Valli sang it until I was doing some research after I saw the show. That is something else that is interesting about Jersey Boys. Most of the audience knows the songs, but didn’t know they were all Four Seasons’ songs. It is like a moment of discovery when you hear people say, “I never knew they sang that song!”

JBB: Anything else you’d like to share about Jersey Boys?

AV: Jersey Boys is a fantastic show with a kind and generous cast and crew. The story line is terrific and the voices of the actors are amazing. Order tickets now, even though you might have to wait a couple of months because it is more than worth the wait in the end! Thank you!

Thank you again so much to A. Valentine for sharing her thoughts and passion for Jersey Boys! If you would like to be featured in a JBB Fantastic Fan Interview, feel free to contact us! Please click on the Contact Page and send us your contact information.

4 Comments »

  1. Hi A
    What a fantastic interview. Thankyou for mentioning me in your story. You are truly an enthusiastic, bright young woman..and I’m not just saying that cuz we write each other, and you think I’m funny..LOL. YOur comments were very insightful..and it’s people like you that make us reflect how truly blessed we are to be a part of this production. You’re a good writer too..Love,Jennifer Naimo

    Comment by jennifer — April 13, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

  2. Welcome to the Fantastic Fan Group, A. I think we should have a Jersey Boys Fantastic Fans get together some day. I have not met any of the fans in person but know them all from the blog. I am looking forward to meeting several of the fantastic fans on Sunday, April 15, at the special Jersey Boys performance to benefit The Actors’ Fund.

    Best regards. Irene Eizen

    Comment by irene eizen — April 13, 2007 @ 9:17 pm

  3. Finally, we get the backstory of the “A” who makes all those nice comments to so many Blog posts, including mine. Apologies to my friend Audrey—this is proof positive “A” is not your pseudonym.

    Unfortunately, I’ve never met Jennifer Naimo, but I can see from her wonderful Blog how much heart and soul she has. I’m not surprised she responded to you so positively. And yes, she is wonderful in the pizza scene; love her commentary on the letter “Y”.

    I also share your thoughts re the power of Daniel’s words during “Dawn”. Great interview, A.

    Comment by Howard Tucker — April 14, 2007 @ 8:06 am

  4. Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate it. Howard, you need to meet Jennifer. She is so kind.

    Comment by A — April 14, 2007 @ 2:01 pm

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