September 12, 2007

Oh, What a Role for Jarrod Spector!

September 12th, 2007

Michael Elkin of the Jewish Exponent profiles the amazing talents and career of Jarrod Spector, the San Francisco/Chicago Company’s Frankie Valli! According to Elkin, at his Bar Mitzvah, Spector learned to walk like a man. Now, at 26, he’s taken the next step: He’s singing it.

Indeed, the specter of Spector commanding the stage is a ghostbuster of an expectation for the former “Star Search” star, who now has reached the peak playing Frankie Valli in the San Francisco company of the Broadway bonanza that has big girls crying at the feet of his feats.

The 6-year-old who told the reporter, “When I grow up, I want to be a movie star, just like Sylvester Stallone,” is now, 20 years later, a matinee idol of rock, in the Rocky role of his life, as he tunes into the one-time troubled, trebled career of the Four Seasons star from Jersey.

No false starts on his way to the falsetto role of a lifetime. And if the young Spector didn’t know a lot about the Four Seasons before he auditioned, his folks were seasoned fans: “They had their own doo-wop collection.”

But would that do as background to take on the most trilling role he ever had?

“Before I auditioned, I told my manager, ‘I can’t sing like that,’ ” he recalls of the inimitable Valli vocal style that is super and supernal in its range.

Someone up there must like him. “I went in to audition — and that was it.”

Read the entire article on JewishExponent.com.

10 Comments »

  1. I’ve seen Jarrod perform about 8 times. He gets better and better every time I see him. He has a great falsetto so I’m surprised he said he couldn’t sing those notes. He has no problem hitting them. Every time he sings “Fallen Angel” it is so heart wrenching. He really puts a lot of emotion into it. The Chicago people are in for a treat when they leave S.F. at the end of the month. I’m going to miss him.

    Comment by LindaL — September 13, 2007 @ 10:59 am

  2. Jarrod totally deserves all the accolades that are showered on him! This piece truly describes the man and the many paths that led him to a starring role in Jersey Boys. I’m so glad that I am able to watch many of his performances at the Curran Theatre because even though everyone has a favorite “Frankie”, from David Norona to the current understudies, I believe that Jarrod is totally up there with John Lloyd Young! I’m sure my friend Irene Eizen would agree with me, and it’s not because she’s neighbors with Jarrod either…..

    I also don’t blame him for not watching American Idol. Since he’s a seasoned performer, seeing the judges on that show just rip into the people auditioning is too depressing because he’s seen that happen to others during auditions. Maybe it was just a sign of things to come when the American Idol brass decided that Jarrod was too good for that competition and now, his star is getting brighter with Jersey Boys!

    He’s seriously good hearted, down to earth recognizes us everytime we see him in person, whether it be on the street, at public appearances or at the stage door. It’s great to be able to see him honor the “Sopranos”, another great New Jersey institution, with a performance featuring the 2nd Nat’l Tour Cast at the Emmy Awards this weekend! That’s how talented he and the cast is, and we’ll miss them when they leave for Chicago in a few weeks. That does not mean that we can’t travel to watch them perform though…..

    Good luck to Jarrod and hope for further success!

    Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — September 13, 2007 @ 3:21 pm

  3. My family and I have loved Jarrod’s performances as Frankie in SF. He is an amazingly talented actor and singer. Jarrod is also very generous with the time he spends with his fans, and he is so kind and gracious. We wish Jarrod continued success and happiness.

    Comment by Sue — September 13, 2007 @ 8:35 pm

  4. What a wonderful article! Jarrod is one of the most talented performers I’ve ever seen! He deserves to be recognized for it. I agree with other fans, he’s very generous with his time and so kind! Thank you Jarrod for being as amazing as you are!

    Comment by Lauren — September 13, 2007 @ 11:23 pm

  5. I saw Jarrod and the Jersey Boys cast last night on the Emmys and I was so impressed with this young man and his voice and stage presence. The rest of the cast was so in-sync with each other and the dancing and singing was, without a doubt, the best part of the Emmys 2007. Kudos to Jarrod Spector and the whole cast!
    I will do whatever it takes to see this show!

    Comment by Pam — September 17, 2007 @ 10:58 am

  6. I posted this in another comment board on this website but didnt know they had a section for just Jarrod Spector. Can anyone tell me if Jarrod will be on the West Coast again after leaving for Chicago? I have to see the performance. Oh my goodness!!! This is REAL entertainment like I have never seen or in a long time!!!! This is what’s appealing to viewers and will keep the audience forever!! Visual and audio appeal is the key and this group, especially the lead singer was just to the max awesome!!! Entertainment today is disturbing and not appealing to the eye but the old days held the key, the super charming handsome guy and the men just holding the power of manliness that could make a girl flip her wig as my mom would say. My whole household went wild and got all excited when these Jersey Boys came on and couldnt get enough of the lead singer!!!
    Keep on going!!!
    God bless you and believe in Jesus always!
    Kaila

    Comment by kaila — September 19, 2007 @ 3:41 am

  7. Jarrod is an amazing performer! We saw the San Francisco show more than 10 times with various “Frankies” and Jarrod outshines them all. What a great talent – and being so hot doesn’t hurt either. JB is my all time favorite musical. I wish it would play in San Francisco forever – or at least that it will make a return engagement at some point. Jarrod was really great at the Emmy show, very poised and had great presence. He’s got it all – now he just needs a few more good breaks to promote him to the stardom he deserves and has obviously worked so hard to attain. Chicago is in for a treat!

    Comment by Cherie — September 19, 2007 @ 9:17 am

  8. Jarrod just melted my heart. I recently saw Jersey Boys in Chicago and can not stop telling everyone I know how wonderful the performance was. What I loved most was watching Jarrod perform. His eye contact with the audience was amazing. I also admired his gratitude to the audience for the overwhelming applauds he received throughout the show. Jarrod, you are amazing, keep up the great work. I wish you continued success! I hope I have the opportunity to see you again in Jersey Boys before leaving Chicago.

    Comment by Christina — February 7, 2008 @ 9:58 am

  9. I so agree with everything Christina said above. Jarrod Spector is one talented – handsome man. I saw clips of him as a youngster with Jerry Lewis, and I fell in love with him as a child as well. How cute can one be?—–I am a 68 year old woman, and I wish I had known him when I was in my 20′s.—-Sorry California, we don’t want to let him go. Please Jarrod, “Don’t go away, we’re so GOOD for You!”—-The show, cast and everything about it was wonderful. (and I am not one to go to plays.) The tickets were gifts, and thank goodness for them. I want to go back again. I will be following Jarrod, and the rest of the cast to see where they go from here. I hope that very big things are coming for them. They so deserve it!

    Comment by Judy Borgardt — July 10, 2008 @ 4:14 pm

  10. I have seen the show twice and am planning my third show. This is the BEST show I have ever seen. Jarrod is HOT and does an excellent job as Frankie. They could not have casted a better performer. He is captivating and charasmatic. His connection to the audience is awesome. I have met him twice and he was very gracious with pictures and autographs. I wish him much success and not to leave Chicago.

    Martha-Aug. 19, 2008

    Comment by Martha Hann — August 19, 2008 @ 10:48 am

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