John Lloyd Young’s Reflections on an Amazing Year
May 17th, 2006The Press Republican’s Features Editor Steve Ouellette talks to Plattsburgh native John Lloyd Young about his recent Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical and his incredible year from a struggling actor to his Broadway debut playing Frankie Valli in the megahit musical Jersey Boys.
When asked about yesterday’s Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Young said,
“I’m just as overwhelmed as I’ve been all year…The show is a runaway hit now, almost a cultural phenomenon … everything that’s happened this year has been incredible, and this is just the capper.”
Young has found what is turning out to be a career-making role. As he thinks back only a year ago, he was struggling actor, trying to get a role in anything and occasionally succeeding. He noted that something like a Tony nomination wasn’t a realistic goal.
Over the last month, awards and nominations for Young’s performance in the hit show have been non-stop. Thus far, he has received a Theatre World Award for his Broadway debut and has received the Outstanding Lead Actor award from the Outer Critics Circle. Additionally, he has been nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and received a nomination for Performer of the Year from the Drama League. The Tony, however, is the ultimate prize for any Broadway performer.
Young realized he was a favorite for a nomination but didn’t truly believe it until he heard his name announced on television. For a millisecond, that’s what Young thought had happened. He said,
“For my entire life, the Tony Awards have only had four nominees. Just recently they went to five, but when they reached four names and I hadn’t heard mine, there was a little bit of dread. I mean, I knew there were five, but …”
With so many awards, the Tony nomination, and being the star of one of the biggest shows on Broadway, how is Young handling it all? Young states,
“This is exciting, but I have to keep my head out of the clouds. The show is going strong and I’m contracted to be here eight shows a week. I still have to do my job.”
