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notes from the trenches
Tony Award Winner (Best Performance by a Lead
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 JERSEY BOYS
ARCHIVES JULY 23, 2008 - AUGUST 28, 2009
click here for:
current blog entries
archives:
July 23, 2008 - August 28, 2009
June 13, 2006 - July 7, 2008
November 14, 2005 - June 11, 2006
July 28, 2004 - November 6, 2005
Friday, August 28, 2009
Off to Montreal for the World Premiere of OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!
Watch my Twitter and Facebook pages, linked directly above, for live updates throughout the weekend.
From my producer's Facebook page:
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Valerya Anufrieva I
am looking forward to the WORL premier of my new movie "Oy
Vey my son is gay"in Montreal!!!Fabulous John Lloyd Young
will perform live!!! August 25 at 11:34am |
I will sing the new Desmond Child folk anthem "The Word is Love" from the OY VEY... soundtrack before the premiere screening this Saturday!
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In the meantime, here's a photo from a great visit I had yesterday with friends Ellis Tillman, far right, and Stephen Kirk Simmons, at West Hollywood's Eat Well diner. Ellis is a costume designer in South Florida. He designed my fantastically authentic costumes for the stage play of THE CHOSEN, a few years ago, when I played the role of "Danny Saunders," an Hasidic Jewish teenager. |
Thursday, August 27, 2009
"It's a really sweet mainstream comedy... It's about love between two people and parents adjusting to something they didn't expect. What really prevails in this movie is a family's love for one another and eventually acceptance of each other..."
(ALSO!: "Young will perform "The Word Is Love" written by Grammy Award-winning composer Desmond Child.")
John Lloyd Young discusses this
weekend's Montreal World Premiere
of OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! with his hometown newspaper
click
here for article
Sunday, August 23, 2009
They're already lining up to buy tickets for the OY VEY! [oh, no!] MY SON IS GAY! World Premiere in Montreal next weekend. Here's a photo sent to me by the film's director.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
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Performing some Sondheim
tomorrow in a tribute to his music at Ryan Black's 88s at
La Boheme in Hollywood. Here is an
article.
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Here's some YouTube of my performance of Sondheim's "Being Alive" from last week in San Francisco.
click here for video
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Had a last-minute trip to New York City this past weekend for a private event honoring a friend from my JERSEY BOYS days, Mennie, who, along with her husband Shelley is a beloved mentor to a few dozen NYC kids. Here's a photo of all of us together, (glowing redeyes and all). These are talented kids, most of them students or graduates of the dramatic arts in NYC. |
Friday, August 7, 2009
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Congratulations to Rocco
Landesman and wife, Debby, on his Senate confirmation
to head the National Endowment for the Arts, under
President Obama, www.nea.gov.
Rocco has run Jujamcyn Theatres, the Broadway theatre chain and producing entity, for years. Jujamcyn owns the August Wilson Theatre, home of JERSEY BOYS. Best of luck to Rocco and Debby on their challenging and important new job. Click here for an article. |
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Had a busy weekend. Saturday night, sang the end-credit song from OY VEY... at the Equality Awards, a gala for Equality California. The OY VEY... cast were special guests at the gala at the Hyatt in Century City. Jai Rodriguez, Bruce Vilanch and I were there, from the cast, as well as the director, producer Svetlana Anufrieva and co-executive producer and my manager, Dona Miller.
Sunday morning it was off on an early flight to San Francisco, where I performed in a benefit performance for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation downtown at the Herbst Theatre, directed by David Galligan and musically directed by Michael Orland. Had a fun visit with my friend Natalie Daradich who was only a few blocks away at the Orpheum where she's in the San Francisco company of WICKED. Thank you to all my friends and fans who showed up for the performance, including pal Karen Swanson who came all the way from Florida! After my rehearsal earlier in the day, I stopped by very briefly to say hello to a whole group of my fans and friends who were having lunch next door to the theatre. Thanks to Linda Soo Hoo for coordinating!
Video of my performance looks like it will be posted on YouTube, shortly, and I'll make sure to share the link!
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Friday, July 31, 2009
Looking forward to another private screening of the OY VEY... movie tonight, and this Sunday's benefit in San Francisco.
On Monday, I recorded a new folk anthem "The Word is Love" from the OY VEY... soundtrack by legendary songwriter, Desmond Child ("Livin' on a Prayer", "Angel") with producer Michael Lloyd. Here are some photos from the studio taken by "my personal cameraman for the day," Evgeny Afineevsky (thanks for the footage, Evgeny!)!
 Producer Michael Lloyd at the console |
 JLY talks to Michael Lloyd in the booth |
 Michael Lloyd and John Lloyd Young listen to playback |
Thursday, July 30, 2009
"Gay stereotypes are perpetuated in Hollywood in mean-spirited ways. It's like they have to buffoon-ize gay characters so that audiences can feel more comfortable with them. People can be comfortable with the flamboyant florist, but if he's just a normal person, 'one of us,' then that's more threatening. I'm really opposed to that. It's 2009. We should be able to see a person who just happens to be gay. There needs to be balance, so that people can realize not all people or all groups of people are the way they are assumed to be." Young thinks his new film achieves those goals. "It's why I chose to do it."
John Lloyd Young
discusses his new film OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! with Robert Sokol of the
BAY AREA REPORTER
in an interview about JLY's
upcoming San
Francisco appearance
click
here for article
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Will be performing next weekend, Sunday August 2nd, at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco as part of a benefit for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation. Click here for info.
Friday, July 24, 2009
| Congratulations to my
friend, Penny Jewkes, on the launch of the
Official website for
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon." Penny is the Senior Producer of the website for her company the Cimmarron Group, overseeing production of the site, from design to programming, making sure the project stays on schedule, etc.
In its first 24 hours, the
site received over 1.6 million views.
And notice on the New Moon
site a link to "The World of Twilight" which is the 2nd
website Penny's producing -- coming very, very soon -- two sites
in a week!
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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Congratulations to friend
Ryan Black whose cabaret, 88s, reached its two-year
anniversary. Ryan asked me to sing a few songs for the event,
and it was a lot of fun. Glad to meet Lesli Margherita, Olivier
Award Winner for the London production of ZORRO the
musical, with music by the Gypsy Kings. Excited, too, to mark my one-year anniversary of living in LA by singing at Ryan's cabaret. His was the first live show I saw in LA, when I arrived a year ago, in a concert he hosted starring Baby Face and David Foster. Thank you to my friends and fans who came. Here's YouTube of "Cryin" from Monday night. Enjoy! |
Monday, July 13, 2009
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Thank you to friend,
Michael Feinstein, for inviting my mother to say hello after his
show in Boston a week or so ago! She was thrilled.
Here's a photo of Michael and me from a dinner party he invited me
to at his house in L.A. a few months ago. And my friend Lauren Schnipper, who always makes me laugh, has a video posted on funnyordie.com. Click here to see it! |
Saturday, July 11, 2009
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Enjoyed a trip to New York to promote the OY VEY... movie. Great private screening of the film; fun drinks with my co-star Lainie Kazan, my manager Dona, and entertainment lawyer Mark Sendroff; and wonderful shopping at Lazaro and Armani in SoHo. Enjoyed reuniting with a few friends around the screening. Now back to LA! |
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Off to New York City tonight on the redeye to do some promotion on the OY VEY... movie. But before I leave, want to acknowledge my fun "Fourth of JLY" birthday party, thrown by my manager Dona Miller! Thanks to everyone who came.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thank you to all my family, friends and fans who stuffed my P.O. Box today with cards and presents for my birthday. I appreciate all of you! It's been much harder than in the past to keep up with my letter-writing. But some of you have discovered my Facebook page, where it's much easier to all communicate. So if you haven't heard from me in awhile, join Facebook! We're all waiting for you!
Hope you all had a great Fourth of July, and thanks again for thinking of me on my birthday.
JLY
Friday, July 3, 2009
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Had a fun lunch today with high school friend Sara Eigenberg at LA's 25 Degrees burger joint, in the Roosevelt Hotel. Sara is in town from Washington D.C. where she works at the Holocaust Museum. |
Monday, June 29, 2009
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Thanks to friend Adam Epstein for inviting me with him to see Adele yesterday at the Hollywood Bowl. She is so authentic and I love her voice. Chaka Kahn performed, first, and the audience was up in the aisles dancing. The 18,000-seat amphitheatre was sold out. We ran into my friend Penny Jewkes there, who took this photo, left. |
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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Enjoyed seeing
Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone together in concert at
the Ahmanson Theatre here in L.A. on Thursday. Lots of
Sondheim and Kander and Ebb songs expertly interpreted
by these two Tony-winning stars, friends and original co-stars of
the Broadway musical, EVITA.
Thank you to producer and friend, Staci Levine, for the invitation. Mandy and Patti were great together and I had fun visiting with them backstage afterward. Patti's looking pretty great as a blonde! |
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And finally, here are some candids from my trip to the Tony Awards a few weekends ago. Thank you to friend, Broadway producer, Dori Berinstein, and family, for inviting me to attend the Tony Awards with them and perform at a pre-Tonys reception for executives of the Visa Corporation, sponsors of the Tony Awards and friends of the Broadway League (the trade association for the producers of Broadway shows).
So happy to visit with Broadway buddies, Roy Miller, David Saint, James Morgan, Jarrod Spector, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Frankie Valli, Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer and wife Jenny Lynn, Phil Smith, NEA Chairman-nominee Rocco Landesman and wife Debby, Joe and Nan Benincasa, Raul Esparza, Rob Diamond, Roger Friedman, Joe Calarco, Bruce Glikas, Jack Sussman, Des McAnuff and Bryna McCann, Sergio Trujillo and Jack Noseworthy, Michael Ritchie and Kate Burton, Harry Haun, Adam Blanshay, designer Shira Lewin, and Michelle Lehrman, Heath Schwartz, Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis and others. It was a whirlwind 48-hour trip but a fun reunion with the Broadway and NYC friends I ran into.
 back to Broadway... my view from the W Hotel, Times Square |
 JLY with manager, Dona Miller, and associate, Steve Sehm, at Radio City Music Hall |
 JLY performs for Visa execs |
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, including mine.
Just back from the Bahamas and a really fun deep-sea fishing trip with Karen and Dan Swanson and friends on their boat, China Girl. Here are some photos.
 JLY and Mahi Mahi |
 Trey Wertz (Karen's son), Karen Swanson, JLY (and Dan in the background) |
 Susy (Karen's sister) helps with the limbo |
 Karen and Dan |
 China Girl |
Will be back home in LA soon, and looking forward to my July 4th birthday with friends and then a quick trip back to New York City to give private screenings of OY VEY...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Just back from the desert with friends Penny Jewkes, Chris Mooney, and super-smart celebrity journalist, Delaina Dixon (her website) ...oh, and our gnome friend, "Gnorm."
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
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Happy Graduation to my young friend Becky Naranjo!! |
Monday, June 8, 2009
Off to a slow start today after a late, late night! Will post photos from my Tony experience soon, but in the meantime, here's a link to video of the red carpet interview I gave last night with Frankie Valli before the Tonys. Seventh on the dropdown menu: click here.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
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In New York City for the
2009 Tony Awards.
Loved
Josefina Scaglione in WEST SIDE STORY last night at
Broadway's Palace Theatre -- they cast the PERFECT
"Maria." Charming, kind, breathtakingly beautiful,
innocent AND strong, with the voice of an angel.
Congratulations to her on her well-deserved Tony nomination
for Best Actress in a Musical.
I can't
imagine anyone having done the role better.
And honored to be the guest star speaker tonight at a special reception for the execs of the Visa Corporation, sponsors of the Tony Awards. And then to the Tonys! |
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
 JLY visits "casting" |
Explored another facet of the arts, today, with a tour of Patina V / Vogue International, one of the world's leading mannequin and entertainment companies. Here I am in front of the "casting" department (which means something different in a mannequin factory) and playing with some of my new friends. |
 JLY dancing with the stars |
 Hanging out with some beautiful women |
 JLY risks his assets |
 JLY loves Clyfford Still! |
Later in the day, I finally explored LA's art museum, the LACMA, with my friend Ani. Loved the contemporary building where I got to enjoy some of my favorite artists like Cy Twombly, Clyfford Still, Robert Rauschenberg and Jeff Koons. |
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Sunday, May 17, 2009
Stopped by auditions, yesterday, for Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth summer camp. Deborah and acting teacher Howard Fine coached the kids through their songs and monologues. Deb's 80s pop contemporary, Tiffany, also dropped by for a visit.
 Deb accompanies... |
 ...coaches... |
 Tiffany, JLY, Deborah Gibson |
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Had a great time yesterday giving a master class to theatre students at UCLA. I worked with four students on audition pieces they selected followed by a fun Q&A. Students from the entire department were there, freshmen to seniors, and we had a great time. The best thing about teaching is that I end up learning a few things, too. (Like remembering to try taking my own good advice!)
 JLY and UCLA students |
 JLY whispers some direction |
 JLY and UCLA Prof. Mary Jo Agresta take questions |
Friday, May 15, 2009
Remember when dad would come home from work? Here's 7-year-old Sasha Obama waiting for her dad to arrive home to the White House (on his helicopter) and then smiling and waving when she sees him come down the steps. And a photo of him seeing her. Father's Day is a month away, but here's an early virtual-Father's-Day card to all the dads and daughters who read this blog.
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Heard from my friend, Kate Wetherhead (off-Broadway's TATJANA IN COLOR by Julia Jordan, Broadway's LEGALLY BLONDE by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin). She's in Dallas right now working on a major production of the new musical, SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL, by Julia Jordan, Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, directed by our mutual friend, Joe Calarco! That's a lot of names...
Anyway, aside from having a great run in SARAH... Kate has begun to write a column for the new website, www.broadwayspace.com. It's an advice column for people aspiring to a career in theatre. Check it out, it's called "Dear K8," and going live sometime today.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Congratulations to all the 2009 Tony Award nominees, announced this morning, including former JERSEY BOYS castmate, J. Robert Spencer, as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for NEXT TO NORMAL! Click here for a full list of nominations from Playbill.com.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
 "Hollywood Loves Broadway" Benefit, November 2008 |
Found a real treasure! An mp3 of my dress rehearsal with the L.A. Philharmonic singing "Something's Coming" from West Side Story for the "Hollywood Loves Broadway" benefit I did for the Motion Picture and Television Fund in November of '08. It's a little rough, but a good listen! Click here to download. |
Friday, May 1, 2009
More photos from Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth Concert:
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
 Deborah, Linda, JLY, Rosemary |
So happy to have brunch today with Karen Swanson and friends at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Karen was in from Palm Beach, FL and saw Tuesday's concert with Deborah Gibson. And thank you to Linda Soo Hoo for sending this great photo with friend Rosemary, Deborah and me. And, last, but certainly not least: YouTube! Below! |
John Lloyd Young sings "Walk Like a
Man"
with kids from Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth summer camp
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
 Keary, Jen, JLY
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Thanks to friends Jen and Keary Slater for these early photos from last night's benefit for Deborah Gibson's Gibson Girls Foundation and her summer camp for kids, Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth. And thanks to Ryan Black for coordinating a great event. Deborah is really dedicated to these kids. Was so great to have so many friends and fans there, including Rosemary, Linda, Amanda, John and Lish, Duane, Karen, Susie and Laura, Dona, Craig, Michael, Chris and Penny. Thank you all for coming! Deborah looked and sounded great, and it was fun to see her special guests Eden Espinosa, Dick Van Patten, Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block in addition to 20 or so precocious kids from her camp. More photos (and hopefully video) to come soon. |
 Deborah Gibson |
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
 Deborah Gibson |
Here's a video from KTLA of Deborah Gibson talking about tonight's concert at L.A.'s La Boheme to benefit the Gibson Girls Foundation. |
Monday, April 27, 2009
 Bea Arthur |
Saddened to hear of the passing a few days ago of Tony Award Winner Bea Arthur (Best Featured Actress in a Musical for MAME, 1966). Arthur was kind enough to let me know she was a fan of my "Frankie Valli" in JERSEY BOYS. Here's a clip of Arthur with Angela Lansbury, singing "Bosom Buddies" from MAME.
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Thursday, April 23, 2009
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Had a fun lunch today at L.A.'s Farmers Market with friend and accountant Jamie Teig and her husband Ben who are in California from NYC for a few days. I had my first rehearsal with Deborah Gibson a few days ago for this coming Tuesday's benefit concert at L.A.'s La Boheme. Our duet's going to be great, and Deborah's going to accompany me herself on another big song I'll be doing. This concert is going to be a lot of fun and there are going to be a lot of great items up in the silent auction, including a copy of the JERSEY BOYS coffee table book, autographed by me and personalized to the winning bidder. Visit www.deborahgibsonselectricyouth.com for more information and to purchase tickets. |
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
 Wesley Taylor |
Congratulations to buddy, Wesley Taylor, on his Outer Critics Circle Nomination for his Broadway debut in ROCK OF AGES. |
Monday, April 20, 2009
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Just found this photo from the Hollywood Loves Broadway benefit I did back in November for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. Some of the cast pictured left are: James Marsden, Sandy Duncan, Alan Cumming, Elijah Kelley, Catherine Zeta Jones, Hugh Jackman, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Amy Adams, John Maucieri, Zachary Levi, John Lloyd Young, Dan Jinks, Adam Shankman. Excited to see friend Lauren Schnipper do her sketch comedy show tonight, here in L.A. |
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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At 7:45 p.m., this is my current, fantastic view with the downtown L.A. skyline in the distance. I love California! |
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
 search the photo for links! |
How about a John Lloyd Young and Susan Boyle duet? She is fantastic. Click here for video. |
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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Happy Easter! Just back from a fun weekend in the Mojave Desert. And had a Sound Bath. What's that? click here |
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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Tickets for Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth Benefit on April 28th are going fast. We are working on a great duet and some other musical surprises! Get ticket information for this concert at Los Angeles' La Boheme at www.deborahgibsonselectricyouth.com. And here's a photo I found from the first time Deborah and I appeared in a benefit together in the heart of Manhattan, Rockers on Broadway. |
Saturday, April 4, 2009
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Enjoyed watching the Los Angeles Kings win 6-1 against the Phoenix Coyotes tonight. Beforehand, had drinks with hockey legend, Marcel Dionne, and friends, pictured left. In a pre-game ceremony, the five Kings players who have had their numbers retired -- Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor, Wayne Gretzky and Luc Robitaille -- appeared on the ice together for the first time ever, to pay tribute to Lou McClary, the team's retiring director of security. |
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Check out the new and improved media page at www.johnlloydyoung.com/media.htm!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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A plug for my friends who are working on the excellent new musical, SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL for the Dallas Theatre Center, directed by buddy, Joe Calarco. Pictured left are Becca Ayers (in the title role), Kate Wetherhead and Herndon Lackey. Good luck to all! Click here for an article from Playbill.com. |
Monday, March 30, 2009
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Dropped by the L.A. auditions in Hollywood for this summer's upcoming GUYS AND DOLLS at the Hollywood Bowl, just to say hello to friends, GUYS AND DOLLS director, Richard Jay-Alexander, and music director, Kevin Stites. Richard and Kevin were at the helm of last summer's Hollywood Bowl LES MIZ. The show is choreographed by Donna McKechnie who was there, too. It is far less nerve-wracking to stop by an audition to visit people than it is to be the one auditioning!! |
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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Hung out this afternoon at the recording studio with friend Deborah Gibson and some of her songwriting students who are just finishing Deborah's Recording Boot Camp, including Kasey Iaeger, pictured with us, left. Deborah runs a summer camp, Deborah Gibson's Electric Youth, and to help some kids who otherwise wouldn't be able afford to attend this coming summer, Deborah is holding a benefit concert, April 28th. I'll be there singing something (we're still deciding what!). For more information about the benefit, visit www.deborahgibsonselectricyouth.com or www.deborah-gibson.com. |
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Linda Soo Hoo sent photos to the JerseyBoysBlog from this past weekend's S.T.A.G.E. Benefit. Click here for a slideshow.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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Click here for YouTube of this past weekend's S.T.A.G.E. Benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles. |
Monday, March 23, 2009
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Happy to have been part of
a successful benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles this past
weekend. Thank you to my JERSEY BOYS friends and fans
for coming out to see it, full-force! Great to see friends
Marc Cherry, Bob Crewe, Jai Rodriguez, Bruce Vilanch among
others. And a great dinner with Dona, Michael, Michael and
Craig! It was a fun weekend. Here's a link to an ABC video news segment on the concert. |
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Sunday, March 22, 2009
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Dug up this photo from my
friend, actress Kate Wetherhead's, recent visit to LA.
Her husband, lighting designer Jeff Croiter, was in San
Diego lighting two shows, and Kate came to Hollywood to visit
friends. We climbed the steps at the Hollywood Bowl to
get this photo with the Hollywood sign behind us. Kate is off
to Texas soon to work on SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL along with my
friends director Joe Calarco; writers Julia Jordan,
Nell Benjamin and Larry O'Keefe; Kenneth Boys;
Herndon Lackey; Becca Ayers and others. Had fun performing at the 25th Annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles honoring George and Ira Gershwin last night at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills. One more matinee performance today, but first I'm off to a brunch with some JERSEY BOYS friends and fans who are here this weekend just for the benefit. I'll post a photo tomorrow on the blog! |
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I had lunch with one of the OY VEY... producers last week who said many of you have been calling their office asking when OY VEY... will be coming out. Fall '09 is the answer, but first it's going to the festivals.
And a lot of you have been writing me asking about when GLEE airs or whether I'll be appearing on it again. Several of you have asked where you can write a letter.
Here's a general address: GLEE, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90038. Happy writing!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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Had a great weekend in San
Diego after wrapping my episode of GLEE. Now onto
an exciting period with the OY VEY... movie, as it works its
way through the film festivals, and according to our
director
and
producer,
we're starting with a big one: Cannes!
See the trailer
here. Reconnected with friend Penny Jewkes, yesterday, for burgers at LA's 25 Degrees, in the Roosevelt Hotel. I love meeting friends there because I can park across the street at the gym I go to! Penny's an old friend from my early years in New York, and now she's a producer here in LA. She's invited me to go spend a day with her at her office and see what she does. (I guess that means the next time I'm working on a set, I'll invite her to my trailer so she can watch me doing lines). Had a fun rehearsal with David Galligan and Jerry Sternbach yesterday in preparation for this coming weekend's 25th Annual S.T.A.G.E. Benefit (Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event), the longest-running AIDS fundraiser in the world, honoring George and Ira Gershwin. I'll be singing one of their songs in this benefit at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills. Click here for info. |
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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Finished my guest starring
spot on Ryan Murphy's new FOX TV series, GLEE,
tonight. Had a great time playing Henri St. Pierre, a
surprising and quirky character: Wait and see! Here's a photo from the rehearsal studio. |
Friday, March 6, 2009
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Really enjoying my time guest starring on GLEE. Here's a photo from the New York section of the Paramount Pictures back lot, where we were rehearsing the segment we shot last night. Pictured with me to left are Brooke Lipton, choreographer, and Patrick Gallagher, who plays football coach, Ken Tanaka. |
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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Finally found a photo from the WET benefit a few weeks ago, where I read opposite ENTOURAGE's Emmanuelle Chriqui. (I. love. Emmanuelle. Chriqui!) |
Today I'm shooting a fun scene with Matthew Morrison, Patrick Gallagher and Kent Avenido on the episode of Fox's GLEE I'm guest starring on. It's a really fun set: everyone's happy and pumped to be working on a new series. I'll be seeing fellow Broadway actors, Victor Garber and Debra Monk on set today. They are in this episode, too, playing Matt's parents.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
So excited to see a cut of OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY! last night at the director's office. Co-star Jai Rodriguez was there, as well as my friends Dona Miller and Adam Epstein. The film is in great shape, and I'm proud of my work in it! Check back here for news on festivals and screenings. Click here for the trailer.
Tomorrow I begin work on my guest appearance on the new FOX Television series, GLEE, from NIP/TUCK creator, Ryan Murphy. My spot is on episode three of the series. The GLEE pilot will premiere in May after the finale of AMERICAN IDOL and then will re-air in the Fall to kick off the new FOX series. Excited to work with Matt Morrison and co. on this great new show!
Friday, February 27, 2009
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Went to the Spanish Kitchen in Los Angeles, tonight, where I had great fun with friends, including last summer's Hollywood Bowl LES MIZ co-stars Michele Maika (pictured left) and Tom Lowe. |
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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Did some post-production work on OY VEY... today. Enjoyed reuniting with producer Svetlana Anufrieva, the director, and co-stars Jai Rodriguez and Alex Mamaliger. Looking forward to visiting the director's office this weekend to see an almost-final cut of the movie. |
Monday, February 23, 2009
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Met up with friend and JERSEY BOYS co-star Erica Piccininni in LA yesterday at Le Pain Quotidien on Melrose. Erica is also a recent California transfer. |
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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Tomorrow night is the second and final performance of Jai Rodriguez's new cabaret act here in LA. Went last Monday. Jai did a great job! Here's a photo with Jai, Dona, me, Michael, Craig and Ryan Black, producer of Jai's cabaret. |
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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Here's another photo from the WET benefit with Blythe Danner. |
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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Soooo happy to be back in
LA! Left for New York's JFK airport at 5 in the morning to
arrive in a sunny, and slightly chilly California. Ended my
stay in New York last night performing in a benefit for WET
(Women's Expressive Theatre). I performed in a short play
opposite Sabine Singh and the stunning Emmanuelle Chirqui ("Sloan"
on HBO's ENTOURAGE). At the last minute one of the
actors had to bow out of the lineup, so I jumped in and also
performed the final play with Blythe Danner. The party
afterward was great, enjoyed running into friends Lucy Boyle,
Sean Dugan and Jeremy Katz, visiting with furniture
mogul Mitchell Gold, as well as dedicated JERSEY BOYS
friends/fans Linda Soo Hoo, Audrey Rockman and
Courtney Liddle. Click here to see more photos from the event. |
Monday, February 9, 2009
Here's an article from Playbill.com about my upcoming TV guest spot.
Enjoyed Alan Cumming at Lincoln Center's Allen Room this weekend. His concert was a part of their American Songbook Series. Thanks to friend, Dori Berinstein, for the tickets!
Performing a short scene tonight at the annual LOVE Benefit for friends Sasha Eden and Victoria Pettibone's theatre company WET (Women's Expressive Theatre). Others performing at the benefit include Debra Messing, Blythe Danner, Perrey Reeves, Emmanuelle Chiriqui, Maulik Pancholy, James Waterston, JD Williams, David Alan Basche, Andre Royo, Alex Frost, Jackie Hoffman, Tracie Thoms, Alysia Reiner, Jordin Ruderman and Sabine Singh. Congratulations to Sasha and Victoria on WET's 10th Anniversary!
Visit www.wetweb.org for more information.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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The trailer for OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!! is now online. Click here to download. |
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Excited to be in NYC for a few weeks to work on the beginning stages of a new show, then back to LA and its excellent weather...
Farewell to SPRING AWAKENING, which closes on Broadway tonight. Still my favorite show of the last few seasons.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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Happy New Year to everybody! Last night, along with friends Jenna Leigh Green and composer Michael Weiner, saw Eden Espinosa sing at LA's Upright Cabaret. Happy to run into Megan Hilty and Steve Kazee there, too. Megan will be off to NYC soon for 9 TO 5 on Broadway. |
Friday, December 26, 2008
Very sorry to hear that Eartha Kitt passed away. I met her twice, two years in a row at the Westport Country Playhouse's annual galas. She was very kind to me, and such a fascinating woman to talk to and see perform.
Monday, December 22, 2008
A photo of the core cast of OY VEY...
l-r: Saul Rubinek, Lainie Kazan, John Lloyd Young, Jai Rodriguez
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wrapped OY VEY... yesterday, and after breakfast with my new buddy Jai Rodriguez, I'll soon be on my way home for the holidays!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Today's my last day on set at OY VEY... I'll be posting photos throughout the day!
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 Saul Rubinek and p.a. Nicole |
more... |
 JLY and Jai contemplate their future apart |
 Lainie gets a touchup |
 Rebecca uses her lint roller |
 Alex, JLY, Lana |
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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Had a fun dinner last night with some of the cast and producers of OY VEY... Pictured left are, front row: Bruce Vilanch, producer Svetlana Anufrieva, Vince Pastore, Jai Rodriguez, back row: producer Rich Cowan, John Lloyd Young, director, Lainie Kazan, producer Joseph Mamaliger, Dora Mamaliger and Alex Mamaliger. |
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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Still plugging along in Spokane, nearing the end of our shoot. Here's a photo from the other day with my on-screen sister, Alex Mamaliger, and another with co-star, THE SOPRANOS' Vince Pastore. |
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JLY and his "sister" |
JLY and Vince Pastore |
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Having a great time on set. Here are some photos.
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director, JAI RODRIGUEZ, JLY |
JLY's trailer |
JLY and Carmen Electra |
Friday, November 28, 2008
Happy birthday to my mom!
Enjoyed my first day of shooting Wednesday, opposite OY VEY... stars Lainie Kazan and Saul Rubinek. The next day we all had Thanksgiving together at the house where we're shooting the interior scenes. It's a great cast and crew and this is going to be a really fun shoot. And really loving my director. Looking forward to the arrival of my costars Jai Rodriguez and Carmen Electra this weekend, and to getting back on set on Sunday! Just got back from some shopping today in downtown Spokane, and I just discovered my hotel's fitness center. So off I go...
Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Arrived in Spokane last night to shoot OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY! I still can't believe I'm doing a big comedy. It's going to be great. Today I meet with wardrobe and shooting starts tomorrow...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
After a series of serious theatre roles, I booked my first movie, a comedy! So excited. Here's an article from Playbill.com. Excited to play opposite Lainie Kazan and Saul Rubinek, Carmen Electra and Vince Pastore!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
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My beautiful and talented friend
Becca Ayers has a concert coming up November 17th in NYC at the
Zipper Factory. I won't be able to be there, but that doesn't mean
YOU can't go! Click photo at left for details. And... Congratulations to friend, THE OFFICE's Melora Hardin, on her upcoming Broadway debut as "Roxie Hart" in CHICAGO, December 29th. Here's an article from Broadwayworld.com. |
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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This past Saturday, I sang
"Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY at a benefit
for the Motion Picture and Television Fund, the Fourth
Annual "A Fine Romance: Hollywood Loves Broadway" concert on the
Sony Pictures lot.
Also in the concert were Amy Adams, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Sandy Duncan, Victor Garber, Neil Patrick Harris, Hugh Jackman, Elijah Kelley, Zachary Levi, Audra McDonald, James Marsden, Donna Murphy and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The event was produced by Dan Jinks and Laurence Mark, directed by HAIRSPRAY's Adam Shankman and conducted by John Mauceri. Ended the night in formal attire, going out to eat burgers at 1 a.m. Here's some coverage of the event from Variety. |
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Exactly three years ago, tonight, this changed my life forever.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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How exciting to
see the worldwide reaction to the historic election of Barack
Obama! Last night when I sang the National Anthem
at the LA Kings hockey game, we didn't know the outcome of
the election just yet. About 20 minutes later, up in the suite
where we watched the game, CNN projected Obama as the winner, and
later the jumbotrons announced the news to the spectators. Thank you to my friend Dona Miller for arranging for me to sing the anthem on such a momentous night. Here's a photo from a few months ago of me and her granddaughter Becky, with our little friend, "Annie." |
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008
VOTE.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
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On Election Day, Tuesday November 4th, (don't forget to vote!), I'll be singing the National Anthem at the Los Angeles Kings hockey game at the Staples Center. I feel so privileged to be singing the Anthem ANYWHERE on such an historic day. |
Friday, October 24, 2008
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Hey, JLY fans and friends! A long overdue posting, left, of me with a bunch of you who came to see LES MISERABLES in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl in August. I am almost settled in LA (just got a washer and dryer), and I'm looking forward to getting back into my letters. I hear it's been a balmy 40 degrees in NYC. Here in LA, it was nearing 100, the other day. (Yes, I like it here!) |
Sunday, October 19, 2008
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Happy birthday to pal,
Karen Swanson! Last night I sang at her birthday celebration
at the Mar A Lago Club here in Palm Beach. My
New York friend and music director Dan Lipton and I worked
our songs up over the phone over the last few months, and here we
are, left, finally getting in the same room at the Breakers Hotel
to rehearse. The weather is great here (and so is the air
quality away from the Los Angeles fires)! But I'll be happy to
be back in my new LA home next week. To those of you who write me, THANK YOU for your patience as I've been making a transition to the West Coast. It's taken a while to get settled, but the light's at the end of the tunnel, and I will be getting back into my mail very soon. Even though my address is in NY, I'll still be getting your letters, so please keep them coming -- I love to hear from you! |
Friday, October 17, 2008
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From one coast to another...
Last weekend, I had the honor of attending a college friend's
wedding. We were great friends back in college, and I sang a few songs at the
reception for my old buddy. The wedding was in Laguna, and I stayed in the
Surf and Sand Resort, in a room with an ocean view of the
Pacific.
This weekend, I'm at the Breakers in Florida for a private event, enjoying the opposite oceanfront view of the Atlantic! |
Friday, September 19, 2008
A message from my friends Buz and Irene Eizen:
"Buz and I will be walking in the Miami half-marathon for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America on January 25, 2009. The research monies granted by CCFA to worthy doctors and scientists throughout the United States have grown by 250% over the last two years to $16,000,000. Over the next three years, the annual research budget will grow to $30,000,000 per year. Progress to finding a cure is being made."
Support Buz and Irene and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation by clicking the link, below:
https://www.active.com/donate/MI09philadelphia/eizen
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Congratulations to buddies Jarrod Spector and Dominic Nolfi, who assume the roles of "Frankie" and "Tommy," respectively, in Broadway's JERSEY BOYS at the end of this month. Jarrod's been playing Frankie in the Chicago company for the last several months. Can't wait to see them do it!
Looking forward to attending the opening of the stage adaptation of 9 to 5 here in LA this weekend. I hear it's a hot ticket, so I think this will be a fun night to be in the audience.
Last week I enjoyed playing the "Tyrone Power" role in a developmental reading of a new show based on the movie he starred in, NIGHTMARE ALLEY. The reading was for the Geffen Playhouse, here in LA. Based on the book and movie, this NIGHTMARE ALLEY was adapted by Jonathan Brielle, directed by Gil Cates, and also starred Valarie Pettiford, Scott Bakula, Ken Prymus, Andrea Bowen, Leslie Stevens and Alaine Kashian. Music direction was by the very skilled Gerald Sternbach.
Have been so busy getting acclimated here in LA, but I'm still getting your letters, so please keep writing!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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Just got this photo from my visit to famous LA haunt, Spago a few weeks ago. Thanks to Spago owner, Barbara Lazaroff (pictured to my right) for her warmth and hospitality! Looking forward to my next visit. |
Monday, August 18, 2008
Had a fun weekend performing at Mark's Restaurant in Hollywood. Thank you to all my friends and fans who came. It was great to see you. Here are some photos from the event and a link to some YouTube.
 click above for video |
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Photos from backstage at LES MIZ from Broadway.com.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
"'Les Misérables' gets an
epic workout at the Bowl. The best part? The hot young costars."
LA TIMES
review
photo: Lily Lim
Thursday, August 7, 2008
A reminder that tomorrow there is a free, open-to-the-public dress rehearsal of LES MIZ at the Hollywood Bowl, starting 10 a.m., sharp.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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Today was the first dress rehearsal
at the Hollywood Bowl. We're in good shape! And here's a roundtable interview with some of the cast and a preview of "One Day More" from Broadwayworld.com. |
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Monday, August 4, 2008
Today was our first rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl itself. Here's a view of the 18,000-seat audience area, as seen from backstage, and some candid shots.
 Backstage at the Hollywood Bowl |
 Tom Lowe, Michele Maika, John Lloyd Young, Lea Michele and director |
Broadwayworld.com has posted rehearsal photos here.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
For those of you unable to get tickets to LES MISERABLES at the Hollywood Bowl next weekend, there is an open rehearsal at the Bowl Friday morning, the 8th of August, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and anyone can come.
Here are some photos from this past week's rehearsals:
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Thursday, July 31, 2008
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Rehearsals for the
Hollywood Bowl LES MIZ are going great. It's an excellent
cast, and I'm very excited to see the show taking shape little by
little, each day. It's a lot of fun, so it's kind of sad it
will all be over in a week and a half. But sometimes great
things come in small packages... Very happy to be reunited
with JERSEY BOYS' Jen Naimo for a little while. And in
awe of my co-stars, especially my closest collaborators, Michele
Maika (as Cosette) and Tom Lowe
(as Enjolras) and all the rest, including great Broadway vet,
Ruth Williamson, who replaces Rosie O'Donnell, who had to
drop out last minute to care for her son who broke his wrist.
Click here for info on the concerts. |
Here's an interview I gave Theatermania.com about these upcoming concerts.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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Thank you to DESPERATE
HOUSEWIVES creator, Marc Cherry, for arranging a tour of
the set for me and my friends, producer Penny Jewkes and
actor Eric Millegan (of TV's BONES). Penny took
this photo of me on "Wisteria Lane." We also visited a
shoot for the show, on location off the Universal lot, where we
watched and met the very gracious Eva Longoria and Marcia
Cross. Looking forward to the beginning of rehearsals for the Hollywood Bowl on Monday. |
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