Thank You, Jennifer Naimo!
April 13th, 2008Normally, we try to update the Jersey Boys Blog daily with all of the late breaking news, cast updates, and everything else going on with Jersey Boys all over the world. However, I admit—every time I sit down at the laptop and attempt to say good-bye and thank you to Jennifer Naimo now that she has played her final performance as Mary Delgado, I keep “tearing upâ€!
Seeing Jersey Boys for the first time back at La Jolla Playhouse in the fall of 2004, we immediately connected to Jennifer’s portrayal as “Frankie Vally’s†feisty girlfriend as she told the young singer that he needed to change his name to V-a-l-l-i, “because y is a bullshit letter.†Her feistiness in that scene, in addition to her portrayal as the wife in their troubled marriage, and so many other roles she played was amazing!
A year later, we saw Jennifer on Broadway in the same phenomenal role! Although the show brought the story of four guys–Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to life on stage, Jen’s portrayal in the pizza scene as the bossy Mary Delgado brought the house down with laughter, followed by lots of tears in the poignant “My Eyes Adored You†scene. And, how about that incredible voice and those “and others†roles Jennifer played? F***IN’ DYNAMITE, as Joe Pesci would say!
On our return NYC visit, shortly after Jersey Boys’ big Tony win, we had the marvelous opportunity to interview Jennifer before her Sunday performance. What a treat! Before our interview began, Jen thanked us for creating Jersey Boys Blog and for all of the “wonderful energy†and support we have given to the show and the cast! Another Wow! moment for us—Mary Delgado herself—thanking us! It was so much fun to find out more about Jen’s early days, her love of performing from an early age (singing “Ave, Ave, Ave Maria†from the time she was seven months old), the beginnings of JB in La Jolla, the Broadway experience, and the Tony Awards!
During the interview, bells were going off big time for the Tech Half! He suggested to Jennifer that she needed her own website and he’d create one for her! I don’t remember if they signed a “Jersey contract†on that Sunday afternoon, but everyone knew her website could happen—it did happen! As they started chatting on the phone and via email, Jen made some great suggestions to Dale. One in particular, I adored—she said that she wanted her website to be full of energy and alive, “like your wife!†As you can see, Jen “understood the nuances of my materialâ€! The whole world exploded with JenniferNaimo.com!
Catching up with Jennifer on our return visits to New York was always one of the best parts of our visits! Her constant enthusiasm for the show, her love and respect for her castmates, her appreciation of the fans’ support, the excitement as she prepared for her upcoming cabarets, and the wonderful stories about her family and her husband Tim! Coffee talk with Jen was always—priceless!
Jennifer Naimo has brought so much joy into our lives over the past three years in Jersey Boys at La Jolla Playhouse and on Broadway, in her cabaret performances, and at the stage door and fan get-togethers! Thank you, Jennifer, from the bottom of our hearts, for allowing us to be a part of your fantastic journey with Jersey Boys! Although we will miss you in the role you originated on Broadway, we wish you and Tim all the best as you begin on your new and exciting journey together!
Love you Jen….we all miss you already!!
You made it back to SoCal just in time for this sweltering heatwave (95 degrees)…..well @ least it’s not humid. Hopefully this heat will break in a couple of days.
Comment by Charly — April 13, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Our eyes adore you Jennifer, love the pictures!
I hope you don’t have to walk all over in the heat!
Talk to you soon, Love ya Jen.
Jody
Comment by Jody Cardillo — April 13, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
Susie, thanks for a little history of Jen’s website. I do enjoy it & I think Dale captured her feisty onstage and enthusiastic offstage persona perfectly!
I will miss Jen onstage…she brought humor and compassion to a character that could have easily been overshadowed.
Comment by LuluThompson — April 13, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
Jen,
You will always be a true star, both on and off the stage! Miss you and love you lots,
Pam
Comment by Pamela — April 13, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Although, it seems too soon to see you move on to new challenges Jen, considering the high of the last couple of years, we understand that you’ve poured so much into this show and your presence will certainly linger on.
The role of Mary will forever stand on your shoulders. (For a Catholic, is that style or what?) Thanks for giving 100% to your audiences, as well as to your fans.
Comment by Audrey — April 13, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Jen,
I’ll always see YOU sitting on those steps with that “look” during “My Eyes Adored You”, and I’ll remember how much it touched my heart.
David
Comment by DavidB — April 14, 2008 @ 6:47 am
OK, I thought I was all done crying here!!! Talk about “tearing up”, how about Niagra Falls! Susie, that was beautiful, you captured the essence of Jennifer: full of energy, so alive, fiesty, kind and loving and OH SO TALENTED!!!! To say “we miss you Jen” is an understatement! I, for one, am so blessed to have seen you in LaJolla and then on Broadway. How incredible to have seen Mary grow……and get drunker!! LOL!! But most of all and very best of all, I call you “my life long friend”, I could never ask for more cuz that’s EVERTHING!! It’s hard to find the words…….love you my friend! Wanda
Comment by WANDA — April 14, 2008 @ 8:06 am
Jersey Boys will not be the same, needless to say. You are Mary Delgado. You are such a great person, I remember meeting you at the stage door and how gracious you were to my daughter and myself, you spend so much time talking with us. I wish you all the happiness in the world with your new little one. You will be the greatest mom ever. We all love you and you will always have a special place in our hearts. God Bless
Comment by gail drouillard — April 14, 2008 @ 9:50 am
NOW I’M CRYING.
BOY THAT CAUGHT ME UNAWARE.
I GUESS IT’S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO SEE WHO I AM,
APART FROM THIS SHOW.
YOU ALL ARE SO GENEROUS IN HELPING ME.
LOVE YOU ALL.. SUCH BEAUTIFUL WORDS..
WHO KNEW/??
LOVE JENNIFER
Comment by JENNIFER — April 14, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Dear Jennifer,
Congratulations on three wonderfully successful Broadway years. Reading these comments, I knew you were a great singer/actress but I had no idea that people actually liked you.
God bless you!
Alan Hartwick
Comment by Alan Hartwick — April 14, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
I will forever remember you Jennifer in that pink dress teasing Frankie about standing on a chair and then leaving him as you agonized on the stairs to “My Eyes Adored You”. Thank you so much for bringing so much enjoyment to our lives. Wishing you all the best.
Comment by LindaL — April 14, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
Jennifer, I must echo my friend Gail above in pointing out how your talent took what some may define as a secondary role and etched it into our minds forever.
I will always remember that powerful voice coming from a such a petite lady in your cabaret shows. Your songs still echo in my head, especially “Movin’ On Up”, “I Am the Luckiest” and “Angie Baby”. I still get the heebie jeebies when I hear “Angie” turning the neighbor boy into a radio wave!
You have connected in so many ways with me, but the one that sticks out happened right before a cabaret show at the Laurie Beechman in which you performed with Travis. I was sitting alone waiting for my slightly tardy buddy, David Cace, for an early dinner–and you came up, sat down, and kept me company until David graced us with his arrival. Usually, it’s a fan who seeks out a star, but how often does a star ask a fan if she may join him?
Finally, Susie, what a beautiful piece, and you cleverly wove in all of our favorite phrases. I am happy that when the Tech Half’s bells went off, he spoke up rather than keeping on his game face. Jen’s blog is one of the best as she constantly keeps it interesting, witty, and updated. Please continue it Jen–you have a lot of supportive and loving fans out there!
Comment by Howard — April 14, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
I remember the family coming home time and time again from LaJolla telling me “YOu have to see this show…it is UNBELIEVABLE!” I thought, whatever, it will never be as good as her in Les Miz….boy was I wrong (although Les Miz still is up there, LOL). The first time I saw the show…oh that’s right, my sister was sick with pneumonia. But it still was an awesome show…then I finally got to see it with you in it. BOY was I nervous that you would forget a line….never happened. Meeting the cast and everyone in the production…even the security guy who knew me by name, LOL… I had to be the proudest sister on earth (youngest sister)….I even dragged that friend from New Jersey to see it 4 more times. What a treat. The music of this show and the talent from you, will live on with your entire family. Thanks for making us so proud and always being true to yourself…oh and Tim, thanks for being such a awesome husband to my sister! We all love you!
Jody
Comment by jody — April 14, 2008 @ 7:18 pm