September 25, 2010

Reflections from Quinn VanAntwerp, JB National Tour’s Bob Gaudio!

September 25th, 2010

Quinn VanAntwerp
Quinn VanAntwerp (Photo Credit: Joan Marcus)

Two great features have been posted on JERSEY BOYS national tour (and former JB Toronto) Bob Gaudio, Quinn VanAntwerp, who talks about his beginnings and reflects on playing the legendary Bob Gaudio. Here’s a preview:

NJ.com: Quinn VanAntwerp grew up in a musical family outside of San Francisco. His mom is a dancer and his aunts are both singers. All four cast members in the touring show of “Jersey Boys” are natives of California, and they all get along really well on and off stage.

And sometimes Gaudio, the producer of the hit Broadway musical, will drop by during performances to keep an eye on the show.

“I love playing Bob … it can be a little nerve-wracking when he comes to see me, though,” said VanAntwerp over the phone. “I really look up to him. He was only 15 when he started going on tour with incredible musicians.”

VanAntwerp may not be 15 years old, but he’s still pretty young.

“I’m the baby of the cast. I’m 23 years old,” he said.

Delcotimes.com: Going through the steps that led to Bob’s career on stage every night is like a training exercise,” said VanAntwerp. “He is the one among the Four Seasons in whose footsteps one would follow. He is the heart and brains behind the group. He writes the songs. He pleads for stability. He is an artist and entertainer while keeping perspective as a human being. That’s why I was drawn to his character, even as a member of the audience.

“When I auditioned for ‘Jersey Boys,’ I thought I might be considered too young. I’ve been doing the show in Toronto for the last couple of seasons. But I think my enjoyment of Gaudio’s music and of his character was visible. Even as he gets older in the show, he remain a younger soul, an irony since he is often the most mature acting of the group. Bob may be in the background while the Four Seasons are performing, but he is involved with everything off-stage and has a lot of responsibility for the Four Seasons’ success even though Frankie is the star, the one everyone remembers.”

5 Comments »

  1. Saw Quinn with the tour in San Antonio. He was wonderful and very friendly and gracious at the stage door.

    Comment by gladys — September 26, 2010 @ 7:09 am

  2. We miss Quinn here in Toronto. My favourite song in the show is one of the ones Quinn does called “Cry for me”. We got spoiled having the JB in Toronto for two years and now long to see the show again. Without even seeing a National Tour show with Quinn in it, I can guarantee that it is the absolute best. The National Tour was very lucky to have Quinn join their cast. Without a doubt, he is an asset to the cast.

    Comment by sharon M — September 26, 2010 @ 8:35 pm

  3. I never got to see the Toronto cast, but I’ve heard great things about Quinn. I’m really looking forward to seeing him in Philly!

    Comment by Shelley — September 26, 2010 @ 9:46 pm

  4. Just saw the Boston Jersy Boys show last week. I’d heard how good it was, BUT it was a hundred times better than expected! Quinn was fabulous!!!! and the rest of the cast great also. It was obvious how much fun the cast was having performing!! Came home and told my whole family they should see it.

    Comment by Barbara Reynolds — January 30, 2011 @ 12:53 pm

  5. What an absolute delight Quinn VanAntwerp is. He was an invaluable asset to the Toronto cast and his level of talent and natural chemistry on stage is unmatched. He is missed greatly. It is unfathomable that someone of such a young age has accomplished so much..and yet all it takes is seeing him in one performance and it becomes obvious. All the best to Quinn..you are amazing.

    Comment by Christine K — February 23, 2011 @ 10:40 pm

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