New Bob Gaudio on Jersey Boys National Tour–Josh Franklin!
December 11th, 2008
Josh Franklin (Photo by Ronnie Nelson Photography)
Along with her interview with Bob Gaudio, Lisa Bornstein in Rocky Mountain News has an insightful interview with the young man who is playing the songwriting member of the Four Seasons, Josh Franklin.
This Jersey Boy hails from Colorado Springs. After performing on Broadway in Grease and Legally Blonde, Josh Franklin, 27, is joining the tour of Jersey Boys as songwriter Bob Gaudio. It’s an easy fit – Franklin is a songwriter himself; you can check him out at joshfranklin.net.
Bornstein caught up with him in Toronto, where he was rehearsing. Here’s a preview of the interview:
Q: So what was your performing background like in Colorado?
A: I studied at Rocky Mountain School of the Arts, now Colorado Springs Conservatory, founded by Linda Weiss. I was just taking voice lessons from her, and she’s a very ambitious woman, and just a few years later she has this entire school.
Q: So which came first, the acting or the singing?
A: It kind of was simultaneous, but I didn’t really put them together until late high school and college. I sang at church and did all the church plays. At 14, I did the show Runaways at a community theater in Colorado Springs. That kind of got me into the world of acting more because it was an intense piece about these runaway kids in New York City. For me, it was a way I was able to escape whatever I was going through at the time and into another character.
He certainly has that Bob Gaudio “look” about him.
Comment by Gary — December 12, 2008 @ 11:23 am
I saw him in Raleigh and I was mesmerized. Great voice. Perfect for the role.
Comment by kathie — July 14, 2009 @ 11:30 am
I just saw you in Jersey Boys at National Theatre in DC. you have an incredible voice and very attractive too boot….
Comment by Thom Kirk — December 11, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
Saw Josh and the other excellent cast members of the National Tour of Jersey Boys last night – the final show in DC.
What excellent performances from one and all!!!
Comment by David — December 13, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
I saw Jersey Boys in Washington DC, and Josh is fantastic as Bob Gaudio. His voice is amazing! With all due respect to Daniel Reichard, who also has a wonderful voice, I think Josh sounded better onstage than Daniel sounded on the JB original Broadway cast soundtrack.
Comment by Shelley — December 13, 2009 @ 7:11 pm