October 8, 2011

Thank You to Rick Faugno! Share Your Favorite Memories & Well Wishes!

October 8th, 2011

Rick FaugnoAs we all know, Rick Faugno’s final performance as “Frankie Valli” will be tomorrow, Sunday, October 9 at the Palazzo! It is now officially “Rick Faugno Weekend” on Jersey Boys Blog!

Rick has been with JERSEY BOYS for FIVE fabulous years–first as “Joe Pesci” in the JB national tour; then as the two-show “Frankie” with the tour; and in the starring role in the 2007 JB holiday engagement in San Francisco. And, of course, Rick has been starring as “Frankie” since the very first day of previews in Las Vegas!

We’ll never, ever forget the first time seeing Rick as “Frankie”–back in December 2007 in San Francisco. Although we had never made it back to SF while he was the two-show “Frankie,” we had heard rave reviews from massive fans–so we expected him to be great! Well, those fans weren’t exaggerating! Rick “nailed it” as the legendary pop star, so much in fact, that I turned to the Tech Half, and quietly said, ‘Holy Sh*t! This guy’s GOT IT–He IS Frankie!’

Hard to believe, but in that very first JB Vegas preview in April 2008, when fans from all over the country came to town for one of the most memorable nights EVER–Rick had even grown more into being “Frankie” on that stage! And, of course, May 3, 2008–opening night in Las Vegas–the world was in awe of the show, of the cast, and of the amazing talents of the young man playing the legendary Valli! To this day, Rick has grown more & more into the role–as he has won awards, critical acclaim, and countless standing ovations as he takes the audience on the journey as the “kid who sings like an angel”!

In addition to his phenomenal “Frankie” role, Rick has grown as a performer while in Las Vegas! First, in his amazing one-man show, “Songs My Idols Sang (and Danced),” one of the most entertaining afternoons of storytelling, songs from the American songbook, and of course the dynamite choreography; then, starring in the marvelous independent film, “Virgin Alexander”; and now in his second one-man show, “Body & Soul,” in which he combines spectacular dance moves, while singing the smoothest, hippest, standards from back in the day, and taking the songs of James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson—and making them his own!

Okay, “I’m tearing up” as we salute Rick Faugno as he performs the “Frankie” role at the Jersey Boys Theatre one last time tomorrow! I’d like to say a personal big personal thank you to Rick–for not only being an awesome “Frankie” and a triple-threat performer–but also–for his continuous acknowledgment and support he has given us at Jersey Boys Blog over the last five years, in addition to his many “JBB Exclusive Interviews”! You are truly one of a kind, Rick!!

We would love for Jersey Boys Blog readers to share your Rick Faugno memories! In the comment form below, please add anything you’d like to share–your experiences seeing him play “Joey”; his early days as the two-show Frankie in the tour; your Vegas experiences; your stage door experiences; and of course, your well wishes to Rick as he moves on to new opportunities! We’d love to hear from you!

13 Comments »

  1. What a nice farewell to such a great performer! Only got to see Rick once in Las Vegas, but your description was right on the money!

    All the best to Rick in his future endeavors!

    Comment by Robin — October 8, 2011 @ 3:01 pm

  2. We wish Rick all the best and are excited to keep following his career.
    Sandy & Jon from Las Vegas

    Comment by Sandy — October 8, 2011 @ 3:02 pm

  3. To quote a line in Jersey Boys, “Why does everybody leave?”

    I’ll sure miss seeing Rick Faugno as Frankie Valli. He really gave it his all in this awesome role, but wish him nothing but the best in his future.

    Hope you guys keep us posted on Rick’s new creative endeavors.

    Comment by LouAnne — October 8, 2011 @ 3:05 pm

  4. I have seen the show over and over again. But, Rick was my first Frankie. Best wishes!!!!!!

    Comment by Mary Anne Taglia — October 8, 2011 @ 6:07 pm

  5. Rick was what got me to go back to Vegas over and over again, and what got me to a tiny movie theatre in Tribeca as well. :) I already miss seeing him as Frankie, but I’m sure I’ll catch him again in something!

    Comment by Leanna — October 8, 2011 @ 7:24 pm

  6. Thanks for the memories Rick! From the start at the Curran Theatre, the Borders Books public appearance in San Francisco to your headlining role in Las Vegas, It’s been a great ride, and now we get to see your variety show there too! We’ll definitely keep in touch on Facebook and we hope for bigger and better things to come for you and Joyce! Take care and thanks again!

    Comment by Mike B. Magbaleta — October 8, 2011 @ 8:04 pm

  7. Rick, It has been such a pleasure seeing you in Jersey Boys and getting to know you. Vegas will not be the same without you as Frankie!! Thanks for being such a sweetheart all around. Looking forward to following your career going forward, hopefully soon in NYC! xo

    Comment by Pamela — October 8, 2011 @ 10:10 pm

  8. My favorite Rick memory? That’s easy. The night Jersey Boys closed at The Curran. Waiting in the rush line all day (and I mean all day) to get front row seats was no hardship. Anticipating the final show, the audience was already buzzing as they made their way to their seats. Oh what a night, as they say!! The place just rocked and Rick and the cast responded with a knockout performance. Extended applauses and standing O’s abounded and the electricity was in the air. The guys could have performed for another two hours and nobody would have left.
    The stage door that night was a mob scene. We ended up talking to Joyce for quite awhile as Rick patiently signed autographs and posed for photos with everyone who asked. What a class act!
    We’re gonna miss you in Jersey Boys, Rick. But I know we’ll be seeing you in other venues. All the best to you and we can’t wait to see you tonight for your final show.

    Linda

    Comment by Linda — October 9, 2011 @ 9:47 am

  9. It’s hard to pick just one favorite moment. My mom and I remember his Joey in SF, countless shows at the Curran and finally seeing his Frankie in December 2007.

    Martha (mom) says her favorite memory was the opening night in Vegas at Buz & Irene’s party. After the fans’ attempt of singing, Rick quickly grabbed a piece of paper and asked for autographs.

    One of my favorites is the night Rick received his award for the Best Singer in Vegas. Kathy, mom and I just happened to be there. He was so humble but we, of course, made a big deal of it.

    Thank you, Rick, for so many wonderful memories. You are so talented and I know you have a long career ahead of you!

    Comment by Krystal — October 9, 2011 @ 10:33 am

  10. My favorite moment, echoing Martha’s, occurred at Buz and Irene’s party. I was honored to give a toast that evening, after which Rick rushed up with a playbill, requesting my autograph, to everyone’s laughter and delight!

    A second moment occurred at my 40th high school reunion in June, 2009. Upon seeing me, my former classmate Arlene Kleinberg rushed up with no hello although we hadn’t seen each other in years….her first words were “I hear you know Rick Faugno” and she proceeded to tell me about how her son Bret and Rick were together in 5th and 6th grades with Rick’s mom as the teacher. At the end of the evening, no one at our table knew what anyone else was up to these days…Rick was the talk of the reunion with Arlene not missing any detail of how talented he was in the fifth grade!!

    Finally, I still play “Mr. Bojangles” from Rick’s CD over and over and over again…..move over, Jerry Jeff Walker and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band….this is the best cover I’ve ever heard. Best of luck, Rick. You have an awesome future ahead.

    Comment by Howard — October 10, 2011 @ 12:18 am

  11. Best wishes Rick on your future endeavors. Thank you so much for that wonderful interview – I’m so happy to see your star still rising. Looking forward to seeing you on the silver screen :) Congratulations on all your success!!

    Comment by Angel — October 11, 2011 @ 12:04 am

  12. I saw Rick as Frankie in Tempe AZ. This was the first National Tour. He was Frankie on opening night. Rick is and will always be my favorite Frankie.

    Comment by carol — October 13, 2011 @ 9:24 am

  13. My favorite and unforgettable moment with Rick was when our family met him the very 1st time at the stage door of Ahmanson Theatre (when he was an alternate Frankie). We introduced ourselves as his fan from Orange County and immediately he asked if I was the one who emailed him the same afternoon and I said yes. He was so nice talking to us and invited us for a tour at the backstage. From then on, he would entertain us whenever we would see the show. We just knew it back then that he will eventually be “as big as Sinatra” and true enough, he became Vegas’ very first Frankie. Rick, our whole family wish you the best and congratulations on your success !!!

    Comment by Miladay — October 13, 2011 @ 4:30 pm

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