Joseph Leo Bwarie–The Role of a Lifetime in Jersey Boys!
October 30th, 2008
Photo by Joan Marcus.
Stephen Johns of Torontoist.com has a terrific story on Joseph Leo Bwarie! According to Johns, Bwarie doesn’t walk into a room, he bounces in. Maybe that’s because he is living a dream, having worked his way into the enviable position of doing exactly what he loves best for a living. For him, playing Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys has been a year-long odyssey which has taken Bwarie all across the United States (and included extended layovers in San Francisco and Las Vegas) before bringing him to Toronto for three months. It’s also the culmination of a lifelong journey which began with Bwarie and his brother, John, putting on shows in their parents’ living room back in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on playing the legendary Valli, Bwarie states,
“You never want to do an impersonation unless you’re doing an impersonation. [Jersey Boys] is capturing the essence of a man, the life of a man, and not just bringing to it the glamorous, successful rock n’ roll star portion of his life.”
Read the entire article on Torontoist.com.
I saw this talented guy perform for the first time in Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas this summer with a couple from Chicago and WOW…we can’t wait to see Joseph again in the very near future…you absolutely rocked the house in TX!
Comment by NewJerseyLasagna — October 30, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
I got to see Joseph in Dallas and then got to meet and chat with him at the stage door. What a great talent and nice guy. He really has the Valli sound and I can’t wait for the opportunity to see him in the role again. Congrats to Joseph!
Comment by GLADYS MARLIN — October 31, 2008 @ 7:20 am
I had the chance to meet Bwarie in Vegas and experienced that bounce the writer speaks about; I still need to see him onstage in the role of Frankie, though, and it can’t come soon enough!
On a separate note…
Seeing JLB pictured handsomely in a suit, I always wondered what these Frankie’s think when they pursue acting and end up wearing a suit a good portion of their ‘work day’. Just not what you envision as an actor, I’m guessing.
Comment by Audrey — October 31, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
JLB was AMAZING in the Toronto production. I went twice in one week to the show (had to take my mom after hubby took me for our wedding anniversary) — Joseph was the reason we had to go back.
While I am sure the new crew will do this story justice, Joseph Leo Bwarie made this production better than the one on Broadway.
Bravo.
Comment by Jody Vance — November 27, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
Saw:”Jersey Boys” matinee yesterday in FLL. How could Broadway outclass this guy? He splits, knee slides to sing and the vocal range! He makes the production which is too too terrific! What energy!
Comment by John F, Rouse — April 27, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
P.S. Singing:”Fallen Angel” tells it all; every success to this great talented performer!!
Comment by John F, Rouse — April 27, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Joseph-
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You were terrific! Saw you 5/19 in Orlando for my anniversary. What a perfect evening! I will seek you out in the future. You have the best voice I have heard on stage in years and I go to Broadway every year! My husband is SAG and Equity and currently teaches so he is very informed and up-to-date. He loved you too. What a performance!!!
Cathy Colangelo
Comment by Cathy Colangelo — May 20, 2009 @ 8:26 am
Joseph - just saw you Tuesday, June 16th in Jersey Boys in Atlanta. What a great job! Fantastic! My friends and I loved the show.
Comment by Barbara — June 18, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
Joseph - We were front row in Raleigh NC yesterday. Show was AWESOME! I carried my 83 yr. old dad. He has always loved music! He has suffered several mini strokes and can’t talk or walk very well anymore. He doesn’t really react or show much emotion either. But Yesterday was an exception. To see him sitting there patting his foot and dancing in his seat brought tears to my eyes!! He cried when we got home thanking me for taking him. He said that was the best show he had ever been to and he’s seen many! I totaly agree! Thanks for bringing the Joy back to my dads face!!!!
Comment by Lisa — June 30, 2009 @ 12:25 am
Hello Joseph!
I was in the 3rd row at the Fox Theater for your final performance on Father’s Day.To me, I had the best seat in the house! You were “Fantastic”! to say the least!You are by far the most handsome, most talented performer in all the Jersey Boy casts..There was one scene where the stage went dark and a spot light beamed on the spiral staircase and I was the only person in the audience that also got caught in the glow of that light and for a few short minutes, I felt I was a part of the wonderful positive energy that was bursting from that stage and to look around and see people well into their sixties, singing along, swaying to the music, memories in their eyes, wow! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! and you made it one for many many people.I hope to see you perform again one day soon, until then,”bye bye baby” God Bless and keep you healthy, happy and well.
Comment by Denise — July 1, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
I recently saw your performance at the Raleigh Memorial Theater in North Carolina, and I have to say it was one of the greatest performances I have ever seen. Your voice was extraordinary and the show was phenomenal. You have been blessed with marvelous talent, and I hope that you continue performing for a very long time so that even more people will have the privilege and joy of hearing and seeing you on stage. Thank you so much for the wonderful show, I was honored to have seen it!
Comment by Mary — July 21, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
Hi Joseph,
I saw your WONDERFUL performance today at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. Your vocal interpretation of Frankie Valli was truly amazing as was the physicality of your performance !! It is difficult to express what a joy it was to experience !!
You are blessed with soo much talent. May you enjoy many, many years of continued success !!
Thanks for the memories !!
Claire Vitale
Comment by claire — August 23, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
I saw one of your final performances in Boston yesterday. You were extraordinary! I loved the show and hope to see you again in either this role or in whatever you appear in in the future. You have the most wonderful voice. Best wishes to you.
Comment by Cathy S. — September 27, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
I saw this guy perform last night at the National Theater in Washington D.C. and he was just amazing! I didn’t want the show to be over. Keep going and when you come back, I’ll be there singing and cheering for the show!
Comment by Jessica — November 19, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
I saw the show at National Theater In Washington, D.C., November 8th matinee. After the matinee, we went to the Old Ebbitt Grill, then came back in front of the theater…..I wanted to go back in and see the show again. I hope you come back to DC again….!!
You were so nice to people in the lobby giving donations to Broadway Cares and posing for photographs. If they ever make a movie of Jersey Boys you should be the one to play Frankie Valli.
You are fantastic!!!!!!! You have the voice!!!!!
Comment by Evangelyn P. — November 21, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
I saw the show at National Theatre last night and JLB was fantastic :). I wish I can go see it tonight or Friday again.
Comment by CW — December 10, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
This is the best show I have ever seen and JLB is absolutely amazing. I saw it three times at the National Theater in Washington and I only wish I could see it three more times. If it comes back around again I am there! I agree, if there’s a Jersey Boys movie, then JLB should be the obvious pick for the lead.
Comment by CLF3623 — December 12, 2009 @ 12:25 am
Hi Joseph!! I saw you on Christmas Day, the 8 o’clock performance. You were amazing!!
Comment by Karleen — December 26, 2009 @ 12:34 am
I just last night saw him in Jersey Boys in Memphis . He was absolutely perfect . And those notes seemed effortless to him . It was my first time seeing it and I’m very happy he was Frankie when I saw it
Comment by Mckenzie — February 3, 2010 @ 12:59 pm