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John Lloyd Young congratulates
Emmy-winning GLEE creator, Ryan Murphy
and all the GLEE Emmy winners and nominees
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young
guest starred on FOX TV's hit series, GLEE, from Ryan Murphy,
creator of NIP/TUCK
The Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning comedy
Episode: "Acafellas"
John Lloyd Young, Kent Avenido in "Acafellas"
...missed it?
purchase episode "Acafellas" on
click
here
...the bloggers weigh in:
"Bonus
points for the surprise cameo by Tony Award winner JOHN LLOYD YOUNG (“Jersey
Boys”)
as the thumbless, cough-syrup-slurping Henri St. Pierre."
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JOHN LLOYD YOUNG
LIVE IN CONCERT:
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young returns to the East Coast for a
one-night-only concert to benefit amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research
accompanied by pianist/music
director
American Idol's Michael Orland
Bucks County, PA
Sept. 25th, 2010
click here for TICKETS and event details
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click
here for a video
of Grand Master Jim Muse Furtado
and student, John Lloyd Young,
from JLY's Facebook page,
"John Lloyd Young Friends"
(click above Facebook logo to go to "John Lloyd Young Friends" then find
and click the "like" button to subscribe and receive future news and
updates)
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John Lloyd Young with Explosion,
2010
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Under the Skyway Productions,
The Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch and
AIDS Project Los Angeles
presented
"Food for Thought"
John Lloyd Young's visual
art debut,
a benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles
at Willis Wonderland
click for
video
"When Tony Award-winning actor John Lloyd Young showed up to [Grammy Award-winning songwriter] Allee Willis’ home to talk about a potential music collaboration, he brought a gift only fitting for the unabashed lover of kitsch: a box of Triscuits he adorned with rhinestone jewels."
The LA Times' Gerrick Kennedy
covers JLY's debut art show
click
here for article and photos from
the
more photos: click here
more: click here
click here for another article from
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 "Got Milk?" John Lloyd Young, 2010 |
"Wham, Bam, Thank You, Spam"
and "Got Milk?" are JLY's first two pieces to join the collection at
Hollywood's Hamilton-Selway Fine Art Gallery,
alongside works by JLY's art idols Warhol, Rauschenberg, Lichtenstein,
Haring and more...
visit:
photo by Duane Shell
JLY poses with his piece, "Bring It On" (2010)
SOLD
June 25-27, 2010
along with works by
Warhol, Haring, Basquiat and more at
ART PROJECT LOS ANGELES, benefiting APLA
ART PROJECT LOS ANGELES
RAISED *$235,000* TO SUPPORT
PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS
Bonhams and Butterfields
Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
EVENT CHAIR
Ron Valdez
CO-CHAIRS
Jackie Collins and Barry Krost
ENTERTAINMENT SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Chad Allen
Pamela Anderson
Roy Bank
LeVar Burton
Diahann Carroll
Stockard Channing
Bruce Cohen
Joan Collins
Jane Fleming
David Foster
Bob and Linda Gersh
John Goldwyn and Jeff Klein
Robert Greenblatt
Gale Harold
J. Todd Harris
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Lainie Kazan
Jonathan King
Ricki Lake
Cloris Leachman
Michael Learned
Jenifer Lewis
Mario Lopez
Nadine Loren
Shirley MacLaine
Wendie Malick
Laurence Mark
Debra Messing
Max Mutchnick and Eric Hyman
Olivia Newton-John
Mark Ordesky
Michael Scott
Patti Stanger
Darren Star
JoBeth Williams and John Pasquin
Allee Willis
Steven J. Wolfe
John Lloyd Young
Craig Zadan
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Never-before-heard-live
JERSEY BOYS Act II Medley, 5/1/10
AIDS Project Los Angeles'
annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Concert
click
above to watch
Grammy Award winning
JERSEY BOYS cast album certified
PLATINUM
by the
Recording Industry Association of America
(over 1 million copies sold)
Tony Award Winner
John Lloyd Young
lead vocals
John Lloyd Young at the
Tony Awards:
click
here
John Lloyd Young's New York Times
JERSEY BOYS review...
click here
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young
at the
"Hollywood Loves Broadway" benefit for the
Motion Picture and Television Fund
SONY Pictures Studios
Mary Louise Parker, George Takei, John
Lloyd Young
at the 25th Annual AIDS Walk Opening Ceremonies
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young
sings the AIDS Walk anthem
"You'll Never Walk Alone"
25th Annual AIDS Walk, Los Angeles
accompanist/arranger: Michael
Farrell
click
for video
John Lloyd Young, Carmen Electra, Jai
Rodriguez, Lainie Kazan, Bruce Vilanch and Alexandra Mamaliger at
Hollywood premiere of the motion picture comedy, OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!
When his
parents keep setting him up with a “nice Jewish girl”, Nelson Hirsch finally
reveals that he is already
seeing someone. Mom and Dad are thrilled and
can’t wait to meet the lucky lady. Oy Vey!
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young
stars in the title
role of the upcoming comedy OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!
click
here to view
trailer
"Young’s decision to play the gay son continues to baffle many of his Jersey Boys fans who still covet his star-making turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli. It’s easy to see what drew him to the role. Whatever we know about Young, we know that he likes to take risks (the ultimate—singing 20-plus songs, many in falsetto six times a week), stretch his limits, and challenge our perceptions. He accomplishes all of these goals in Oy Vey! While some critics have attacked the film’s stereotypes, including making Nelson’s gay lover, Jai Rodriguez a decorator, Young’s character defies typecasting. He works in finance and dresses like a Master of the Universe. Ironically, his outward persona makes his homosexuality even more difficult for his parents to accept. Young’s performance is effective because it is restrained. He manages to convey with his facial expressions or voice his conflicting feelings. He loves Angelo (Rodriguez) but is, in his heart, a good Jewish boy who loves his family. He can’t choose and hopes they won’t force his hand."
--Charlene Giannetti
Woman Around Town Online
JLY and Carmen Electra on the red
carpet
Hollywood premiere of OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!
click here to view trailer
Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young
sings
Stephen Sondheim's "Being Alive"
Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation Gala
San Francisco
click
here for video
John Lloyd Young
sings "Cryin'"
at the 2nd Anniversary of Ryan Black's 88s
La Boheme, Hollywood
click
here
for video
John Lloyd Young and Frankie Valli
Tony winner John Lloyd Young
with friend,
legendary Four Seasons front man Frankie Valli,
at a JERSEY BOYS fan reception benefiting
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
John Lloyd Young as "Marius" in
Les Miserables in Concert, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
photo:
©
Lily Lim, 2008
John Lloyd Young starred as "Marius"
in an all-star production of
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
click
here for video of
"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"
Tony Award Winner (Best Actor)
Drama Desk Award Winner
(Outstanding Lead Actor)
Outer Critics Circle Award Winner (Outstanding Lead Actor)
Theatre World Award Winner (Outstanding Broadway Debut)
Drama League Award Nominee (Performer of the Year)
...as "Frankie Valli"
in the
Original Broadway Cast of
...and lead vocalist on the
Grammy Award-winning, certified-Platinum
Original Cast Recording
click here for video
click
here for
JERSEY BOYS at New Year's Eve
Times Square, NYC
click here for New York Times review
Find John Lloyd
Young on
JLY FANS:
John Lloyd Young welcomes your written
correspondence!
Send a letter to John Lloyd at this address:
John Lloyd Young
8391 Beverly Blvd., 378
Los Angeles, CA 90048
click here for blog archives:
June 13, 2006 - July 7, 2008
November 14, 2005 - June 11, 2006
July 28, 2004 - November 6, 2005
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Predicting more than just 2 *THUMBS UP* for GLEE at tomorrow's Emmy Awards. **FOR THE WIN,** Ryan Murphy, Dante Di Loreto and co!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Thank you all so much for your very kind letters. I love reading them, and answering when I can! Please also stay in touch with me through my new Facebook page, "John Lloyd Young Friends" (if you're a member of Facebook, click here for the page, then click the "like" button to subscribe). I will be able to jump in here and there, to say hello, so please sign up and I'll see you there. Hope you are all enjoying the last weeks of summer. Best wishes to all, JLY
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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John Lloyd recently enjoyed dinner with manager Dona Miller at their friend Barbara Lazaroff's famous L.A. haunt, Spago, along with American Idol Music Director, Michael Orland. John Lloyd and Michael will appear together in a special concert to benefit amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, September 25, 2010, in Bucks County, PA. Click here for information and tickets. |
Saturday, July 10, 2010
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The First Annual Art Project Los Angeles, a charity auction of art by emerging artist John Lloyd Young, along with works by art icons, Haring, Warhol, Picasso, Miro and more, raised **$235,000** for AIDS Project Los Angeles. This is a staggering amount for a first-ever charity event in a frustratingly strained economy, and the money raised goes directly toward supporting people in the most fundamental ways: providing basic healthcare and even a warm meal. Supporting essential charities in desperate times is difficult, but can *literally* be a matter of life or death for people who are struggling to survive. THANK YOU to all who support AIDS Project Los Angeles in an ongoing way, and especially to those who helped make this first-ever event a resounding SUCCESS. |
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...and, speaking of resounding SUCCESS...
TWO THUMBS *WAY* UP to LEA MICHELE and the cast and creators of FOX/TV's hit, Golden Globe-winning comedy, GLEE, on their nineteen 2010 Emmy Award nominations. Good luck!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Fondly remembering John Willis, founder of the Theatre World Awards who has passed away at the age of 93.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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Several weeks ago, JLY got
back in touch with great guy, songwriter Denny Randell,
when JLY sang two of Denny's songs, "Let's Hang On" and
"Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)," in a JERSEY BOYS medley
for APLA's annual S.T.A.G.E. benefit (click
here
for video). Randell's songs have sold over 200 million records. Among Randell's other hits are "Can't Get Enough of You Baby," "Workin' My Way Back to You" and "Native New Yorker," among dozens of others for dozens of artists as diverse as The Four Seasons, Lou Christie, Sarah Vaughan, P Diddy, Smash Mouth, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Busta Rhymes and more. JLY and manager, Dona, got together in Las Vegas with this successful songwriter and A&R man (see Wikipedia), the week before the Tony Awards. Here's a photo, left. |
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If in Los Angeles this weekend, don't forget to stop by Sunset Boulevard's Bonham's and Butterfields for Art Project Los Angeles, where artwork by John Lloyd Young will be on display and for silent auction to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles, alongside pieces by Picasso, Haring, Warhol, Basquiat and more. Visit www.apla.org for information.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
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For people sick of feeling like good cops in a corrupt precinct, introducing my good cops, left, agent Eric Stevens and manager, Dona R. Miller. |
and a photo with a friend from this past Tony Awards weekend:
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
This year, John Lloyd Young was the guest star host to IBM, sponsors of the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards. JLY congratulates this year's Tony Award winners.
John Lloyd Young at the 2010
Tony Awards Gala with Best Musical Tony winners for MEMPHIS,
writer Joe DiPietro
and director Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director of San Diego's
LaJolla Playhouse
(photo:
www.Broadwayworld.com)
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A fun surprise: When Catherine Zeta-Jones visited JLY backstage at JERSEY BOYS a couple years ago, he asked her when she was going to appear on Broadway. Jones began her career on London's West End as "Peggy Sawyer" in a production of 42nd STREET. This past season, she made her Broadway debut as "Desiree" in Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Sunday night, she won the Tony. Congrats to CZJ and all the other 2010 Tony winners on their exciting night. |
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Sunday, June 6, 2010
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Hollywood's Hamilton-Selway Gallery is the new home for John Lloyd Young's visual art. Yesterday, JLY stopped by the gallery to drop off his first two pieces, which join Hamilton-Selway's sales collection boasting art by Warhol, Basquiat, Rauschenberg, Haring, Lichtenstein and more. Stop by the gallery to view JLY's pieces and visit www.hamiltonselway.com for more information on the first gallery to represent JLY's art. |
 talking Pop Tarts and Pop Art amongst paintings by Burton Morris |
 inside the Hamilton-Selway gallery |
 "Wham, Bam, Thank You, Spam" and "Got Milk?" find their happy new home between Harings and Warhols! |
Friday June 4, 2010
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Last night enjoyed a nice dinner with Lainie Kazan at Studio City's Loggia Restaurant. Lainie is off to Russia to represent the cast of our movie where it's making its Moscow premiere. |
Tuesday June 1, 2010
From today's Broadway.com, Tony Awards Memories: JLY Recalls His Close Encounter with Oprah. click here
The 2010 Tony Awards air Sunday, June 13 on CBS Television, live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
John Lloyd Young will be the guest star host to Tony Awards sponsors IBM and Avis.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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"Wham, Bam, Thank You, Spam,"
JLY debuts his visual art,
Broadway.com article:
select pieces of JLY's work, |
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Wednesday May 5, 2010
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TWO THUMBS UP to Daniel Guzman, Ray Garcia and Kelly Rice who together with me volunteered their talent and time for our JERSEY BOYS performance May 1st to help raise thousands of dollars for essential AIDS research and services in "ORIGINAL CAST," AIDS Project Los Angeles' annual S.T.A.G.E. concert, the world's longest-running AIDS benefit. The concert featured original cast members re-creating roles they made famous on Broadway.
S.T.A.G.E., in its 26th year, has raised millions of dollars to help in the treatment and, most importantly, *prevention* of HIV/AIDS.
Thank you to all the fans and friends and the rest of the audience members who purchased tickets to "ORIGINAL CAST," even during these very difficult times. Our support continues to make S.T.A.G.E. and APLA's good work an ongoing SUCCESS!
click here for video
Tuesday May 4, 2010
Congratulations to all the 2010 Tony Award nominees, announced today. This year's Tony Awards will take place, Sunday, June 13, airing on CBS. Click here for an a complete list of nominees from Playbill.com.
Monday May 3, 2010
Happy Birthday to Frankie Valli and friend, Theodore Bikel.
And congratulations to friends and past co-workers who got Drama Desk nominations today in New York: Theodore Bikel, Marshall Brickman, Warren Carlyle, Kevin Chamberlin, Victoria Clark, Rick Crom, Kevin Del Aguila, Sean Dugan, Rick Elice, Chad Kimball, Tom Kitt, Alex Timbers, Sergio Trujillo and David Zinn.
Sunday May 2, 2010
Congrats to Frankie Valli, who is inducted today into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Thanks to fans for coming to AIDS Project Los Angeles' annual S.T.A.G.E. benefit concert last night and for inviting me to a fun brunch this morning. Great to see you guys!
And a warm congratulations to one of my favorite fans from my days at JERSEY BOYS, the absolutely amazing and adorable Elizabeth Clune, who is featured today in this article: http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/144429413
Saturday May 1, 2010
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One of the oldest and
most beloved annual New York theatre awards is in serious
financial trouble. Since 1944, the Theatre World Awards
has honored actors making their first major impact in New York
theatre. Past recipients have included Marlon Brando, Alec
Baldwin, Julie Andrews, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Julie Harris,
James Earl Jones, Rosemary Harris, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anna
Kendrick, Geoffrey Rush and Fantasia Barrino, among many
other now-luminaries. The awards ceremony is among the warmest and most exciting for its sense of theatre history, community, and passing-of-the-torch from one generation of actors to another. The Theatre World Awards ceremony is at the top amongst my most-heartfelt memories I carry from JERSEY BOYS on Broadway. Below are my impressions from my ceremony, taken from a blog post back in 2006. Please consider making a generous donation to keep this truly wonderful NY Theatre tradition alive now and into the future. Click here to learn how you can donate. |
About the 2006 Theatre World Awards ceremony from JLY's blog, June 7, 2006:
"Twelve winners, six men and six women, were honored for their outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway debut performances. The honorees were Harry Connick, Jr. (The Pajama Game), Felicia P. Fields (The Color Purple), Maria Friedman (The Woman in White), Richard Griffiths (The History Boys), Mamie Gummer (Mr. Marmalade), Jayne Houdyshell (Well), Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), Ian McDiarmid (Faith Healer), Nellie McKay (The Threepenny Opera), David Wilmot (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Elisabeth Withers-Mendes (The Color Purple), John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys). Each nominee was introduced by a former Theatre World Award winner. I was introduced by actor John Rubenstein who won his award for the original Broadway production of PIPPIN. The emcee was the Star-Ledger's Peter Filichia and the other presenters included past Theatre World Award winners, Lucie Arnaz, Maxwell Caulfield, Ralph Fiennes, Harry Groener, Liza Minelli, Patricia Neal, Ken Page, and Jonathan Pryce.
Each presenter told the story of their first breakout performance and their experience of winning the Theatre World Award, then they introduced each of us and presented us with our awards. It was a warm and moving meeting of past, present and future in that room, and I am honored to have been a part of it. An overwhelming thank you to Harry Connick, Jr. for predicting in his Theatre World Award acceptance speech that I deserved to take home the Tony Award this coming Sunday. No matter what the outcome on Sunday, I'll never forget that Connick, an idol of mine for 15 years, had the humility and grace to say that. At the end of the ceremony, all of the current winners, past winners and presenters gathered to sing "Happy Birthday" to 90-year-old Theatre World founder, John Willis."
click
here to make a
donation
and help preserve this important New York Theatre tradition
Monday April 26, 2010
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On news from Frankie's
daughter, Toni, congratulations to Frankie Valli on
his upcoming induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame
coming up on May 2nd, a day before his birthday. Frankie and original Four Seasons songwriter, Bob Gaudio, were just in Las Vegas to celebrate the two-year anniversary of JERSEY BOYS at the Palazzo, and to also celebrate the JERSEY BOYS' Original Cast Album going Platinum. If you haven't been to Vegas recently, you must check out the Palazzo Hotel and Casino, which is like JERSEY BOYS heaven: the logo on the tables, show footage showing on screens throughout the hotel, the music in the elevators, their own gift shop and most importantly, the show itself, which stars Rick Faugno and pal-from-Broadway's-JERSEY BOYS, Travis Cloer, alternating the role of Frankie. |
Sunday April 25, 2010
Sending kind thoughts to Linda Soo Hoo...
Saturday, April 17, 2010
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Famed Hollywood photographer Michael Childers invited me to perform in Palm Desert, CA a little over a week ago in his annual "One Night Only" Benefit concert at Palm Desert's McCallum Theatre. The show was directed by Calvin Remsberg. The night prior, 9-time Emmy winner David Lee (CHEERS, WINGS, FRASIER), friend of Michael Childers and supporter of the annual benefit concerts, hosted a party at his desert estate, which was formerly owned by singer Dinah Shore. The night was emceed by the New York Observer's Rex Reed and included more than a dozen stars of TV, film and stage singing songs from Hollywood movies. What a group of talented and friendly people. Among the performers was American Idol finalist, Von Smith, who absolutely floored me and the audience with a song from DREAMGIRLS. I sang "Something's Comin'" from WEST SIDE STORY (click here for audio from a prior performance). In the wings while I sang was Carol Lawrence, the original "Maria" from the first-ever Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY. After the show, I told her I was nervous to have her there watching me sing the song. She said: "You sang it better than anyone else I've heard in the last 100 years."... |
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...I like Carol Lawrence...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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Lots of charity activity over the last few weeks. Left, speaking to interviewers at an event last week where AIDS Project Los Angeles was presented with a $100,000 check from Macy's. Funding for AIDS programs and research in this economy is in serious trouble. But even worse is that funding for education on the prevention of HIV has been eliminated or virtually eliminated in many places including in the state of California. I spoke to the interviewers about how private donations from corporations like Macy's and from individuals are essential at this time when public funding is so limited or non-existent. I've worked a
lot with APLA here in Los Angeles. My next event with
them is the annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit concert, this year
called "Original Cast," and featuring Broadway stars in numbers from
shows they originated. So of course I'll be singing something
from JERSEY BOYS. The roster includes fellow Tony
winners Donna McKechnie (A CHORUS LINE) and Tyne Daly
(GYPSY). Visit www.APLA.org
for information about this May 1st event. |
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To the left
are photos of me and manager Dona Miller, with TV
writer/producer Scott Williams, and below with Emmy
winning director, Paris Barclay (producer of HBO's IN
TREATMENT), at a gala for Shane's Inspiration, a charity
whose mission is to build specially-designed playgrounds for
disabled children. The charity was started by Scott Williams
and his wife Catherine 13 years ago after the loss of their son,
Shane, to spinal muscular atrophy.
As director of GLEE episode "Wheels," which had a sympathetic focus on the disabled, Paris was honored along with star of that episode Kevin McHale, who plays wheelchair-bound "Artie" on the program. Earlier in the month, attended another gala as a guest of Paris Barclay's when he was honored by the Cornerstone Theatre Company, which he co-founded. Cornerstone's mission is to use theatre as a community builder in urban and ethnic communities in Los Angeles, training and supporting residents to build, design, write and perform in their own productions. Enjoyed running into Broadway friends Celia Keenan-Bolger, Barrett Foa and Tony-winning writer of AVENUE Q, Jeff Marx. |
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Happy birthday to original JERSEY BOYS producer, Drew Senyei, and congrats to his family for pulling off the best surprise party ever.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
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Attended friend Allee Willis's fantastic party she threw last week to celebrate the First National Tour of her musical, The Color Purple, Black History Month, and to raise money with Pacifica Radio Archives to restore never-before-heard historic African-American audiotapes to get them into schools. I donated a collection of the tapes to my friend Elmo Terry-Morgan at Brown University's African-American Studies Department and manager Dona R. Miller sent a set for the collection at Brown's Rockefeller Library. |
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Allee lives in a house built in
the 30's as the MGM Party House. It has been featured
in Architectural Digest and is the site for her famous
soirees. Her home is also the virtual and actual home base for
the amazingly extensive and incredibly fun
Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch.
click here for the website |
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Enjoyed the
great soul food, amazing music (Allee is the Grammy-winning composer
of Earth, Wind and Fire's "September" and "Boogie
Wonderland" among many others -- and her songs were in the mix),
and it was fun as always to run into the hilarious Luenelle
of BORAT fame, pictured left, bearing a gift for the host. If you saw Sacha Baron Cohen's movie, BORAT, you'll remember Luenelle as his unexpected and uninvited dinner party guest. |
Allee's got some really amazing pieces in her Museum for any of you pop culture lovers out there. Here are some special Black-History-Month-inspired kitsch items Allee had out on display for this party.
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Mike McCann interviewed John Lloyd Young this past Monday for the radio program Premiere's Hot Wax Daily about JLY's iTunes release of "Love Believes." Here's some of what Mike had to say on the program, followed by a downloadable audio quote from JLY about "Love Believes" from the radio interview.
John Lloyd Young, who was the original Frankie Valli in Broadway's award-winning Jersey Boys, has released the solo single "Love Believes." You can find it on iTunes. He says "It really is a Valentine to all my fans and all the new ones who will discover me through this song."
click here for an audio quote
from JLY about "Love Believes"
Friday, February 12, 2010
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Enjoyed attending the opening night of friend Allee Willis's THE COLOR PURPLE at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre last night, starring Fantasia as "Celie." Fantasia is truly a revelation in this fantastic production, written by Allee, Brenda Russell (pictured with me, right), Stephen Bray, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Marsha Norman, whom I also met last night. |
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THE COLOR PURPLE opened on Broadway the same season as JERSEY BOYS and original star LaChanze and I won Tonys together as the leads in our respective shows. But THE COLOR PURPLE and JERSEY BOYS had the same schedule for much of our run, so I never got to see it. A replacement after LaChanze left the show, Fantasia played the role right around the corner from where I was playing "Frankie Valli, " but I never saw her until last night. If you haven't either, rush to the Pantages. She is too incredible to be missed.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Had the great pleasure of meeting my manager Dona R. Miller's good friends Edward and Gayle Roski a few weeks ago. We attended an art exhibition of excellent watercolors by Gayle Garner Roski at USC's Gayle Garner Roski School of Fine Arts.
Gayle and Ed are both alumni of USC, and they recently endowed the art school with $23 million, the largest endowment ever given to an art school in the United States. Edward P. Roski, Jr. is CEO of Majestic Realty Company, one of the largest and oldest privately held real estate companies in the United States. Big on the list of his accomplishments is the Staples Center, which he built along with Philip Anschutz, and the big, upcoming, highly-anticipated City of Industry NFL stadium on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
The kicker? In meeting this highly-accomplished couple, I find out that they are also fans of mine, having seen JERSEY BOYS on Broadway. So we were all a little star-struck!
Here are photos from this fun event:
 watercolor by Gayle Garner Roski (JLY's favorite of the show) |
 Gayle Garner Roski and John Lloyd Young |
 John Lloyd Young, Dona R. Miller, Edward P. Roski, Jr. |
Friday, February 5, 2010
John Lloyd Young's debut single, "Love Believes" available Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010, only on iTunes.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Finally some photos from my Christmas
and New Year's Paris trip, on only a little business and mostly fun.
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First stop was the world-famous Paris Opera to see the also-world-famous Russian Ballet. As you know, I am an art aficionado and was surprised to learn that the ceiling of the opera house is a mural by Chagall, whose stained glass windows at the Chicago Institute I'm a fan of and I've blogged about here before. |
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Here are two photos from inside the gourmet grocery at Galleries Lafayette. Sometimes the smallest differences from one country to another are the most fascinating. Here, I was entranced by the only-partially-cleaned poultry at the poultry counter. |
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Aside from lighting a votive at Notre Dame, strolling the hills of Montmartre, visiting the Eiffel Tower, and touring the Palace of Versailles, my favorite visit was the the Musee d'Orsay, which has a hall of Renoir paintings artificially lit better than any paintings I've ever seen in any museum anywhere. The excellent sculpture gallery is pictured, left. My favorite painting of the day, though, was Édouard Detaille's le Rêve, pictured right. I stood in awe of this mural-sized painting, transfixed. |
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The French girls working inside this store on the Champs d'Elysee where this window display was, laughed with me as I took pictures of it. Can't fault the French for lacking a sense of humor at the holidays! |
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Manager Dona R. Miller is an investor in Zorro, the Musical, with music by the Gipsy Kings, which had a hit run in London and is now working its way across Europe. We enjoyed a sold-out Tuesday evening performance of the show, in French, at the historic Folies Bregere. Originating in workshops in Los Angeles before the world premiere in London last year, ZORRO will be making its way to the states soon. And yours truly -- liked it. |
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I leave you with a photo of
Paris at the stroke of midnight, New Year's 2010, right.
And, to the left, probably my 10th bowl of French onion soup on my trip to Paris, at the precise moment I realized my overindulgence was making it lose its novelty. Happy New Year to all!
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Sunday, January 17, 2010
Congratulations to the creators of FOX/TV's new comedy, GLEE, on their 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Television Series.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friend and original JERSEY BOYS co-star, J. Robert Spencer, has asked me to let you all know he is spearheading an effort to raise money to complete a very important documentary. Please visit J. Robert Spencer's Facebook page or www.oncoalriver.com to watch the trailer and make a donation!
Monday, January 4, 2010
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Happy New Year! Photos and news to come from my trip to Paris. In the meantime, what a great dawn this morning on Los Angeles and a bright and optimistic start to 2010! |
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Remembering my friend and fan, Jan Haas, this Christmas Eve.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Here's a roundup, in photos, of some
events over the last few months of 2009. Off to Paris for
Christmas and New Year's. See you in 2010!
 In NYC for OY VEY... movie premiere |
 At California Equality Awards w/ OY VEY... cast |
 Sound check AIDS Walk 2009 |
 The crowd: AIDS Walk 2009 |
 Visiting friend Grammy-winning songwriter Allee Willis w/ manager Dona Miller |
 In the recording studio with Ted Perlman |
 Singing National Anthem at LA Kings, Staples Center, Los Angeles |
 Visitors in the front yard |
i At work... |
Friday, December 18, 2009
So busy since Thanksgiving, but a lot of exciting things happening, many in the planning stages. Stay tuned, as always. Hope you are all enjoying the holidays. JLY
Friday, December 11, 2009
Happy Birthday to friend and colleague,
Steve Sehm!
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My NYC friends Sasha Eden and Victoria Pettibone have a great company, Women's Expressive Theatre (WET), that supports and fosters women in film and theatre and promotes positive depictions of women and girls in the media through their projects and community outreach programs. Last February I appeared in their annual benefit. Their fundraising season is beginning again, and they've released an excellent video about their company and mission. Please check it out at www.wetproductions.org (and catch a glimpse of yours truly, from an interview at last February's NYC benefit). |
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JLY with
Sasha Eden (showing him some love) |
visit www.wetproductions.org
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Thank you to all who saw OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! in its recent Los Angeles run at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Hollywood. Here are photos from the Los Angeles premiere screening which benefited AIDS Project Los Angeles. On Saturday, November 28th, I will sing to open the L.A. Kings' hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. at the Staples Center, downtown Los Angeles. |
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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“That voice is not easy to replicate,’’ says John Lloyd Young, who should know since he won a best-actor Tony for his portrayal of Valli in the original 2005 Broadway production of “Jersey Boys.’’ The show now has multiple touring productions around the globe. “Frankie had his entire career to sing his entire career, and now these kids playing Frankie have to sing his entire career in two and a half hours - it’s a steep challenge.’’
John Lloyd Young talks to the
Boston Globe |
Google has a new "quotes" search function that's pretty fun. Here's a screenshot of a JLY quotes search:
click image above to enlarge
Monday, November 2, 2009
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Nearing the end of a great
and busy trip to NYC. Fun NYC premiere of OY VEY! MY SON IS
GAY! Thursday night. Public screening in the NY
International Film and Video Festival and red-carpet premiere to
benefit amfAR with cast members Lainie Kazan, Bruce
Vilanch, Saul Rubinek, Jai Rodriguez and Vince Pastore in
attendance. Thank you to the throngs of NYC fans and friends
who came out en masse to see the movie. Click here for a nice review of the film. An excerpt, below: |
"Young’s decision to play the gay son continues to baffle many of his Jersey Boys fans who still covet his star-making turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli. It’s easy to see what drew him to the role. Whatever we know about Young, we know that he likes to take risks (the ultimate—singing 20-plus songs, many in falsetto six times a week), stretch his limits, and challenge our perceptions. He accomplishes all of these goals in Oy Vey! While some critics have attacked the film’s stereotypes, including making Nelson’s gay lover, Jai Rodriguez a decorator, Young’s character defies typecasting. He works in finance and dresses like a Master of the Universe. Ironically, his outward persona makes his homosexuality even more difficult for his parents to accept. Young’s performance is effective because it is restrained. He manages to convey with his facial expressions or voice his conflicting feelings. He loves Angelo (Rodriguez) but is, in his heart, a good Jewish boy who loves his family. He can’t choose and hopes they won’t force his hand."
--Charlene Giannetti
Woman Around Town Online
Tonight I'll appear in JERSEY BOYS alum Donnie Kehr's annual Rockers on Broadway concert at BB King's on 42nd Street, in an all-60s lineup alongside Leslie Gore, Lou Christie, members of the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of HAIR (which I saw and enjoyed Friday) and other JERSEY BOYS Original Cast members.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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Enjoyed
appearing at the opening ceremonies of the 25th Annual AIDS Walk
in Los Angeles this past Sunday.
click for video
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Saturday, October 17, 2009
"Slow and steady wins the race."
-- Aesop
Friday, October 16, 2009
Some upcoming appearances:
Tomorrow, Sunday, October 18, singing the AIDS Walk anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the 25th Annual AIDS Walk, Los Angeles. visit www.apla.org for info.
November 2nd, NYC: headlining JERSEY BOYS friend Donnie Kehr's annual Rockers on Broadway benefit concert in NYC, days after the October 29th NYC amFAR benefit premiere of OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! Also appearing will be fellow original Jersey Boy, Tony-nominee J. Robert Spencer, who currently stars in Broadway's NEXT TO NORMAL. Visit www.rockersonbroadway.com for tickets.
Friday, October 9, 2009
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Billboards for the October 22nd Hollywood premiere of OY VEY... have gone up around Los Angeles. |
Friday, September 25, 2009
In NYC with my manager Dona for some more meetings, including a follow up with my amazing composer friend, John Mercurio, later today.
Great dinner party last night at Kenneth and Maria Cole's stunning pre-war NY apartment, overlooking the East River. Discussed amfAR and the groundbreaking news of the new AIDS vaccine announced yesterday from Thailand. Enjoyed reconnecting with Mario Cantone and Jerry Dixon, Cheyenne Jackson, and Harry Belafonte, who presented me with my Tony Award for JERSEY BOYS. Very excited to learn that the Cole's daughter Amanda just entered the new freshman class at my beloved alma mater, Brown University, under one of my college mentors, acting teacher, Lowry Marshall. Good luck, Amanda.
Founded in 1985, amfAR is one of the world's premiere AIDS research organizations. Visit www.amfar.org for more information.
Friday, September 18, 2009
"Henri St. Pierre's" welcome back cake from GLEE made cakewrecks.com! Follow this link.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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Here are some photos from my appearance at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Annual Gala in Connecticut last weekend, directed by James Naughton. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded by Paul Newman in 1988 as a summer camp for seriously ill kids who, because of their conditions would not otherwise be able to attend summer camp. There are full medical services and staff available on campus, a lake, horseback riding, a zip-line tower (!), a zero-entry pool, a wheelchair-accessible treehouse, a theatre, and much more, (including a dining hall packed to the gills with an endless supply of Newman's Own lemonade, cereal, etc.) Visit the website here. |
 soundcheck |
 JLY at entrance to wheelchair- accessible treehouse |
 Kelli O'Hara, Jane Krakowski, John Lloyd Young, Laura Benanti |
Here's a photo of camper Justin Dirk, who introduced me in the gala. Twelve campers from throughout the summer session were selected to appear in the gala along with us "pros." The other campers who appeared were Kayla Brielle Chante Brown, Alyssa Casson, Bridget Dwyer, Matthew Gates, Skylar T. F. Lobdell, Kate McGuire, Lixzy Mota, Austin Pierce, Darien Pierce, Casey Roche and Liam Talbot.
Camper Justin Dirk rehearses with
friends.
Stage manager Annie Keefe presides...
Here's Justin's bio from the program:
I am in the 4th grade this year at Lore Elementary School. My favorite subjects are math and language arts. I love, love, love to play sports! My absolute favorite part of the summer was the week I got to stay at THITWGC [The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp]! This past summer has been my third year attending THITWGC. My favorite things about camp are (besides everything) the cool cabins we get to sleep in , the food is always very good, and the counselors are very nice and make me laugh all day -- I have been told I have the best laugh in the world! Camp is nonstop fun, games and happiness! I hope I have the chance to go back next year again. It is the most amazing and magical place. When I am older I would like to be a counselor to help the kids have the best time and make them happy and laugh and tell them about when I was young, what I went through. Remember each day is a wonderful gift. I try to encourage others by telling them what my parents told me. "Never, Never, Never give up." I am living proof miracles happen.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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Happy birthday to my manager, Dona Miller! |
Don't forget to catch my guest starring role on GLEE tomorrow night: FOX TV, 9pm EST.
I am a huge fan of my friend, composer John Mercurio. His new show, ACADEMY, has an upcoming production next month in New York. Info below:
ACADEMY, part of the NYMF Festival where Broadway shows NEXT TO NORMAL and [title of show] got their start, is FAUST set in a boys prep school. The cast includes actors from SPRING AWAKENING, NEXT TO NORMAL and the current revival of WEST SIDE STORY. Two-time Tony nominee John Carrafa directs.
At St. Edward's Academy, two seniors make a harmless bet on whether they can influence an unsuspecting freshman to break a few rules to succeed. But when the transaction goes recklessly out of control, the boys become entangled in a fight for their own academic and personal survival. Inspired by Goethe’s FAUST, ACADEMY is a pop chamber musical about boys learning to become men—and remaining true to themselves.
Ticket information:
http://www.nymf.org/Show-1173.html
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Congratulations to Jordan Roth who was just announced to succeed the now-National-Endowment-for-the-Arts-Chairman, Rocco Landesman, as the new President of Broadway theatre owner, Jujamcyn Theatres.
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Click here for
an
article from Broadwayworld.com. Here is Jordan's bio from the Jujamcyn website: Jordan Roth joined Jujamcyn Theaters in 2005. Jordan produced A Catered Affair (Winner Best Musical - Drama League, 12 Drama Desk nominations) by Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino and directed by John Doyle, the Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show (Best Musical Revival - Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), The Donkey Show, which ran 6 years off-Broadway with several international productions, and The Karaoke Show. Jordan created Givenik.com, which provides theatergoers the opportunity to buy discounted tickets and give 5% of their ticket price to the charity of their choice. He serves on the boards of The Broadway League, GMHC, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Freedom to Marry and the Horace Mann School, of which he is an alumnus. He graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with degrees in philosophy and theater, and is pursuing an MBA at Columbia University. |
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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I will love singing for
children this weekend at the annual gala to benefit The Hole in
the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut, started by Paul Newman and
Joanne Woodward in 1988.
Please consider visiting their website and making a donation to help these ill children. |
Monday, August 31, 2009
Happy birthday to my friend, Deborah Gibson! xo, Deb. JLY
Saturday, August 29, 2009
OY VEY... is a hit of the Montreal World Film Festival! Packed to 800-seat-capacity World Premiere, and rest of screenings SOLD OUT!
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