John Lloyd Young’s Last Evening As a Jersey Boy
November 23rd, 2007NY1.com reports on JLY’s last evening as a Jersey Boy: After an amazing run as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, Tony Award-winning actor John Lloyd Young bid farewell to the critically acclaimed show Wednesday night.
Fans were there to greet Young at the August Wilson theater, on a night that was supposed to be his final performance.
The actor, who had an amazing rise to fame with his performance, said that after more than 800 performances he would have liked to have the stage for his final night.
“I have a feeling that our standing ovations might have lasted a little longer than they usually do. So, I’m imagining a nice send off,†said Young. “I’m getting a great send off here outside the theater, on a picket line, which is not how I imagined it. But this is just as good.”
Young says he’s not bitter because the history of the labor movement is more important than the career of any one actor.
Visit GILG for CBS2′s coveage of the fans saying farewell to JLY.
I’m so happy that many of us from JBB got to be there on Wednesday..We gave JLY a standing ovation, read a poem and we even made a toast..We were there to show him all the love we could, and I think we pulled it off! It was a magical evening, from the begining with dinner until we said see you soon..I know I was not going to say farewell, nope not me..See you soon John Lloyd….Jody
Comment by Jody Cardillo — November 23, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
Enjoy a well-deserved rest. We will see you very soon! Looking forward to Lincoln Center and to so much more after that. IE
Comment by irene eizen — November 23, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
There will be plenty of very long standing ovations in February for JLY’s concert at Lincoln Center.
Comment by Beverley Micciche — November 23, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
I know I am wearing my sneakers that evening, dressy ones, but still ones which will enable me to stand for a LONG, long time. IE
Comment by irene eizen — November 23, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
I have been following all of your posts this past week. I am amazed at the sense of community and love that y’all have expressed towards John, his family and each other. I am in Texas, far far away from NYC, but I can feel the excitement that you shared that dark nite on the street in front of the theatre.
Comment by Gayle Kamen-Weinstein — November 23, 2007 @ 10:33 pm
I flew to NY from CA on Wednesday with my mother and sister even though we already knew that the November 21 show that we had tickets for was cancelled. I came for one reason: to honor John Lloyd Young. Although I, and many other fans were bitterly disappointed to know we would not see JLY perform, it was important for me to be there to applaud a Tony Award winner actor on his final night as a Jersey Boy – even if it had to be on the street instead of in the theater. It was wonderful and exicting to meet JLY, but it was bittersweet because it was the end of something very very special – but it wasn’t a proper end. I believe I speak for many of the fans who were there outside the theater on Wednesday night when I say that an actor of John Lloyd’s caliber and accomplishments deserved a final performance and a send off other than a darkened theater. But, ever gracious, JLY made the best of the difficult circumstances of the strike by making himself available to his fans. He was warm and charming and made us feel loved and appreciated, when it was really HIS night. His fans thank him for the sacrifices he made to bring this role to life; for his role in literally putting JB on the map around the country and beyond(because of the success Broadway the touring companies give others that can’t make it to NY the opportunity to expeience JB); and for so generously giving so much of himself as a perfomer and as person to his fans for two years. We love you John Lloyd – here’s to the next ’season’ of your career!
Comment by NYJBfan — November 26, 2007 @ 3:11 pm