Jersey Boys Blog

Quinn VanAntwerp

As we all know, Quinn VanAntwerp’s final performance as “Bob Gaudio” on Broadway will be this afternoon at the August Wilson Theatre. So, today–we are declaring it “Quinn VanAntwerp Day” on Jersey Boys Blog!

After over 1,600 performances and almost four years in the Toronto, first national tour, and Broadway companies, Quinn has decided to open himself to the next chapter of his life.

Over the last four years, Quinn has received countless rave reviews as the young musical genius of The Four Seasons, “Bob Gaudio.” Truth be told, seeing Quinn that very first time in Toronto was totally spectacular, from the moment he entered the stage (So amazing, in fact, that we hit the trifecta, seeing this amazing show three nights in a row!) !

From our 2010 JBB review:

Quinn VanAntwerp is at first the somewhat shy, very tall, no nonsense songwriting genius kid–who really did play like a mad man–as he stood up playing in “Cry For Me”! The audience was in awe of Quinn’s superb voice during “Cry For Me”–when he and the group came together, making their sound for the first time. Both his vocals and his comedic timing were right on the mark during the “Oh, What A Night” scene as well. But what sets VanAntwerp apart and makes him stand out is the amazing way he goes from the rather shy, musical wonder kid to the confident man who became the driving force behind the group with Valli within the course of the show.

Quinn was not only sensational on-stage, but offstage, he and his castmates gave us one of the most memorable welcomes and JBB experiences, EVER–including a behind-the-scenes backstage tour, with two charming and charismatic hosts: Quinn and his castmate Dan Sullivan!

Following JB Toronto’s super successful run, Quinn played the musical genius on the first national tour, receiving phenomenal reviews in every city! Then, of course, since October of last year, Quinn has been WOW’ing audiences as Gaudio on Broadway!

Okay, I tried not to use any of lines from Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, but–I’m “tearing up” thinking back to seeing Quinn at the August Wilson Theatre in April of this year. The chemistry on that stage during that matinee among The Four Seasons and of course, the bond between the Bob and Frankie characters was absolutely chilling! Below is an excerpt from our review:

As “Bob Gaudio,” Quinn VanAntwerp’s boyish good looks, curiosity, and youthfulness are so apparent as he enters the stage to meet his future bandmates. Magic appeared on that stage as Quinn sang the “new one”–“Cry For Me”—and the group’s “sound” came together for the first very time and the audience went insane! His other “first time” was pretty amazing, too—not just vocally with “Oh, What A Night”—but with his post-first time strut! Quinn matured quickly, not only in his musical genius role, but in his “Bobby Businessman” partnership role, eventually leading the quartet with Frankie…In particular, I noticed a deeper connection between the Frankie and Bob characters, not only during their “Jersey handshake” scene, but even in their diner scene. So deep, in fact, that I asked Quinn & Dom about that scene in their upcoming JBB Exclusive Interview…

Speaking of JBB Exclusive Interviews, we would like to express our thanks to Quinn for two unforgettable interviews–first with JBB Special Correspondent Frances Fong-Lee. And, of course, his latest interview with castmate with Dominic Scaglione, Jr.!

Most of all, Quinn, the JBB Tech Half and I want to thank you for your tremendous support of Jersey Boys Blog over the last four years! We wish you all the best & are looking forward to following your exciting future!

We would love for Jersey Boys Blog readers to share your Quinn VanAntwerp memories! In the comment form below, please add anything you’d like to share–your experiences seeing him play “Bobby”; your meetings with him at the stage door; seeing his special benefit appearances, etc. –and of course, your well-wishes to Quinn as he moves on to new opportunities! We’d love to hear from you!