Getting to Know John Lloyd Young
In this live interview, via Zoom, with John Lloyd Young in California and TheaterPizzazz in New York City, a unique experience unfolded getting to know this Tony Award Winner known to audiences worldwide as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys original Broadway production. He is the only American actor to date to receive a lead actor in a Musical Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theatre World Award for a Broadway debut and a Grammy Award for the cast album.
But that’s only the very beginning of his illustrious career as JLY talked excitedly about his early days, after graduating Brown University, and the many plays and roles he appeared in at Target Margin Theatre and more. He honed his skills, preparing him to take on eight shows a week on Broadway when he landed the leading role.
John talks about his mentors, including Theodore Bikel, his days in Washington, D.C. at the White House as Barack Obama’s appointee to the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities, at USO dinners and how the universal language straddling politics was “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” He speaks candidly about all of it, including his charity work and making the Jersey Boys film with Clint Eastwood directing.
WATCH NOW.
On July 9th 2021 John Lloyd Young appears in Las Vegas at The Space for a birthday celebration where audiences can see him live in person, or streaming in that one-night only concert Solid Gold. It’s a new show devoted to music of the 70s and 80s (with a sprinkling of some of the familiar tunes that fans always want to hear) and backed by a big band directed by Tommy Faragher. There’ll also be the option of a VIP after party. Visit TheSpaceLV.com to get tickets and choose your option (LIVE or streaming) for an unbelievable evening of music and more at 7pm PT. (P.S. if you’re in Vegas live, you get to share birthday cake!) Meantime . . . enjoy our interview!
Sandi Durell is Publisher/Editor of www.theaterpizzazz.com/
and has been writing, reviewing, producing, having a voice in the theater, cabaret and entertainment communities for over 25+ years. She is a Voting Member of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards; member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
Sandi is a producer of Broadway & Hollywood Live! Revues (www.ShaRellProductions.com); has produced numerous Songwriter Events for the American Popular Song Society (APSS – formerly New York Sheet Music Society on which she is a Board member); the benefit CD “Our Heart Sings;” is a producer on the Award winning film “Broadway the Golden Age” (with Rick McKay) and has produced a variety of entertainment events for most of her career.
She is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU – Advisory Board),100+ year old Dutch Treat Club, The Lambs; an occasional theater “angel” and has had a career as a vocalist-performer.
Her column can also be found at www.theaterlife.com
