Stage actors are now taking their roles to a major motion picture. Meet the actors bringing Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the big screen.
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Video Content: John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen & Michael Lomenda (2014)
In the TV version, SIDEWALKS host Veronica Castro interviews John Lloyd Young (playing Frankie Valli), Erich Bergen (Bob Gaudio), and Michael Lamenda (Nick Massi), the stars of the film “Jersey Boys.” They talked about playing the roles on stage and now in a feature film and working with director Clint Eastwood.
[Full interview without film clips below]
Mini-Biographies:
John Lloyd Young has played Frankie Valli in Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” a musical where he won a Tony Award, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards. Additionally, he is the first American actor to win all four major awards for his Broadway debut, and he sang lead vocals on the Grammy-winning, “Jersey Boys” cast album. Young has played to audiences at the White House, Carnegie Hall, New Year’s Eve in Times Square, Lincoln Center, Yankee Stadium, Kennedy Center, Staples Center, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Radio City Music Hall. In 2013, he was appointed by Barack Obama to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities with Honorary Chair, Michelle Obama.
Erich Bergen played Bob Gaudio in the first national tour of “Jersey Boys,” as well as the Las Vegas and Los Angeles productions of the Tony Award-winning musical. He has performed in many stage roles, including “Anything Goes,” “Hero,” “The Temperamentals,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “White Christmas,” “Warrior” and “The Ballad Of Bonnie & Clyde.” On TV, he is co-starring in CBS’ “Madame Secretary” and has guest starred in “Childrens Hospital,” “Franklin & Bash,” “Person of Interest,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Gossip Girl.” His first independent film was the comedy “How Sweet It Is,” while “Jersey Boys” marks his first major motion picture.
Grew up in Stettler, Alberta, Michael Lomenda has played Nick Massi on stage in the first national tour of the “Jersey Boys.” His additional stage credits include regional productions of “Blood Brothers,” “Hairspray,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Sweet Charity,” “Miss Saigon,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Cabaret” and “Grease.” Lomenda also played James Bond creator Ian Fleming in the Canadian TV project “True Bond.” He is making his feature film debut in “Jersey Boys.”
Interview Credits:
Recorded: June 16, 2014
Host / Producer: Veronica Castro
Editor: Richard R. Lee
Special Thanks To: Warner Bros. Pictures, Allied-THA, Van Metre Productions
Full Interview (no film clips):
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