November 11, 2015

15 Broadway Frankie Vallis, 15 Different Versions on @BroadwayWorld! #JerseyBoys10

November 11th, 2015

In honor of JERSEY BOYS 10th anniversary, BroawayWorld.com asked 15 different actors who have played Frankie Valli about the special challenges of playing the living legend and more fun questions. Below is a quick peek of three of the Frankies:

FRANKIE J. GALASSO (Broadway and on tour)
What are the special challenges of playing a living legend whose music was such an important part of people’s lives?

Portraying a living legend, like Frankie Valli, is no small task. People who come to see the show have grown up listening to The Four Seasons’ records on repeat. They know all the little nuances and unique sounds of Frankie’s voice. The goal is to sound as close to Frankie as possible, transporting the audience back in time as if they were watching the real Four Seasons!

RUSSELL FISCHER (Played Joey and understudied Frankie on Broadway)
What are the special challenges of playing a living legend whose music was such an important part of people’s lives.

Frankie has a full life. He’s suffered great losses, overcome obstacles, and enjoys tremendous success to this day. It’s important to give a truthful portrayal and avoid overdramatizing. You must trust the material given and let it take you on the journey.

CHRISTOPHER MESSINA (On Broadway and on tour)
What are the special challenges of playing a living legend whose music was such an important part of people’s lives?

Playing Frankie Valli was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my career both emotionally and physically. The roller coaster of Frankie’s life never seems to end within the show from the moment you start to the moment you take that last bow, the highest highs to the lowest lows. It is incredible to see the world he lived through his life and eyes in moments on stage “in concert” and some of the life changing things he went through. Physically it’s a show full of vocal gymnastics and emotional fatigue, that, unless you’re Frankie himself, is not an easy thing to recreate without a lot of technique and training.

Click HERE for entire fabulous feature!

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