Frankie Valli...s?

[Beth]

Just curious....
In your own opinion, who do you think portrayed Frankie Valli the best out of all of the currently running JB shows around the world? You can have two favorites if you can't decide. Personally, I've only seen Jarrod Spector and I thought he was superb. As far as singing.........Jarrod's great, but I kind of liked JLY better on the CD. Mabye that's because I listened to it so much!
Here are pics of Chicago and of the originals..:)

[Amanda]

Well, I've seen three Frankies, Chris Kale Jones, John Michael Dias, and Zach Prince. And of course I know JLY from the cast recprding. Of the ones I've seen I have to go with CKJ. I just thought he did a beautiful job. He has a gorgeous voice, even if it is not exactly like Frankie Valli's, it was close enough. And his acting was superb. I cried so hard during My Eyes Adored You and Fallen Angel. I loved both JMD's and Zach Prince's singing, but I don't think their acting was quite as good, although they were still excellent. And I can't fairly judge JLY, since I've never seen him live, just from the Tony's or other T.V. performances and the cast recording. I love him though. he has such a fine voice, and you can tell the acting through the singing, which is awesome.

So now after lots of explanation, my favorite is probably CKJ, but all the others I've seen and heard are just wonderful too!

[Scarlet]

I've seen two - Zach Prince and Jarrod Spector. Like Amanda, I've only heard of JLY on my cast recording.

I'll have to go with Jarrod Spector on this one. His singing voice is reminiscent of the style and the period. Of course, I always have preference to the first cast I've seen.

Wished I could have seen CKJ though. ^.~

[Gladys Marlin]

I saw Christopher Kale Jones and Zack Prince here in Houston with the tour. They were both fantastic. I saw Ryan Molloy in London and I have to say I absolutely was taken by his performance. I think we are soooo lucky for the depth of talent in all the casts and the eye to detail that the creators have used.

[Vicky]

I like both John Michael Dias and Jarrod Spector. Overall, Jarrod is my favorite. His voice is like, creamy and mellow, not to mention that he's adorable.

But I love John Michael Dias too, especially his, "HOLY ****!" in the car scene. Definitely the best I've heard.

Beth, you liked JLY on the recording better than Jarrod? I thought JLY was good, but I liked Jarrod much better; I think he sounded much more like the actual Frankie.

[Kush4evr]

I have to say I'm with Scarlet. Not only does Jarrod Spector's voice have the right sound for the period, and I like how he changes it as Frankie evolves. On top of all that though, Jarrod is an amazing actor. I'm not sure I've ever seen such emotion, he truly gets into his character and feels the part.

[Mike B. Magbaleta]

I'd have to say that it's a tie between John Lloyd Young and Jarrod Spector. I also really enjoyed watching Chris Jones, Michael Longoria, John Michael Dias, John Michael Coppola and Rick Faugno perform as "Frankie", but will have to go with the two main principals for the OBC and Chicago Cast. I met their vocal coach in NYC last year and asked her the same question about who were her "star students" since she coaches all "Frankies", but she said that all of them are her favorites.

[Gladys Marlin]

Well now I have added Ryan Molloy to my list of favorite Frankies. It is very hard to choose any particular actor for me as I admire all of them and have enjoyed all of their performances. I feel like we don't appreciate the Show as a whole but only as individual performances. Oops, on my soapbox again. Sorry....I love em all!

[Deb,s]

I,ve only seen 2 performances and both been Ryan Malloy, I must admit he is brilliant but I think he is just too cute for Frankie but it works for me.

[Heather]

Gotta be Ryan Molloy!

[Jlm Schreier]

I've seen six different Frankie's. My favorite is definitely Jarrod Spector -- mesmerizing performance every time. John Michael is in sort of a tie for second with (perhaps) a surprise for this question: Steven M. Goldsmith. I've seen Steven twice in Chicago and he brings a little bit of a different perspective to the role and he handles the singing well (and really looks great for the part). He brings a different energy to the part and a few smiles.

[Steve Holden]

This is a tough question. I've seen a great deal of Frankie's (including the man himself) but when I dream of Jersey Boys I still dream with David Norona in the role. He was the Frankie in La Jolla pre-Broadway. My next pick is John Lloyd Young, who did a fabulous job on Broadway and with the cast CD. That being said, there isn't anyone I've seen who hasn't done an amazing job and is worth seeing again in the role. The talent presented in Jersey Boys - no matter where it is playing - is top notch! - Steve

[Kate]

I've seen Jb 8 times 5 with Ryan Malloy and 3 with Jye Frasca and my vote goes to Jye but Ryan is still brilliant though.