About Me

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Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A long-time Toronto-area Actor and Singer, Jeff Madden is now focusing on Teaching acting and singing in the GTA. Jeff starred as "Frankie Valli" in both the Toronto and Australian productions of JERSEY BOYS, winning the DORA award for outstanding performance in a musical by a male actor. Jeff is busy back at school, getting his MEd at U of T's OISE.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Meeting Frankie Valli

Ok - while I've got a minute, here's the scoop:

I'M MEETING THE REAL-LIFE FRANKIE VALLI THIS WEEK!

As you may know, he and his band (The Four Seasons) are still touring the world, performing many shows a year. Well this week, that tour brings him to Casino Rama in Orillia, ON, about 90-minutes north of Toronto.

Well, JERSEY BOYS TORONTO managed to get a sit-down with the two of us during the afternoon before his show. They're driving me up to Casino Rama in the morning, and then we'll meet, take a few photos, and chat. The main event will be being interviewed together by Richard Ouzounian for an upcoming piece in the Toronto Star! A "Frankie Valli" meets Frankie Valli kind of thing.

Unfortunately, neither Frankie will be able to see the other's show. I'd love to stay and watch this living legend perform, but I have to get back to do our show Thursday night. And, I'd love to have him see me "play" him in JERSEY BOYS, but he has tour dates for Friday and Saturday and has to leave town. It just wasn't able to work out, this time around, anyway.

I'm so stoked. I met him, briefly, at my final audition in New York City last October. But our conversation was very short, as I couldn't think straight since I was focusing so hard on trying not to pee my pants. I was a little nervous, you see, with the little matter of trying to win the lead role of a lifetime. Turned out OK in the end, I guess. I wonder if he'll remember me?

OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK

1) My car and I are being interviewed and photographed this week for an article in the Globe and Mail - more info on that later. Yes, I said my car and I.

2) My Radio interview will be aired this Sunday morning at 9:00am on 103.9 FM. This is the interview about my Top 5 Musical Theatre songs of all time. It's a small radio station, which can be heard in the GTA area only, so I don't think it'll be online. If you're in the GTA, check it out. (It'll be repeated again the following weekend if anyone misses it.)

3) Tickets are still available for the fundraiser I'm doing on behalf of Acting Up Stage theatre company. This coming Monday night, 8pm at Bathrust Street Theatre in Toronto is The Sound Of Silence, an evening of Musical Theatre stars performing the hits of Paul Simon with a live band. it's an awesome lineup, and you don't want to miss it. I'm doing "Cecilia" and "The Only Living Boy in New York".

11 comments:

Angie in T.O. said...

I'm so happy for you!! I can't wait to read all about it. And, I'd be surprised if he didn't remember you, your quite memorable ....since seeing the show I run around telling complete strangers to go see it! My hubby thinks I'm crazy, but he's coming with me to see it May 2nd because he's heard me talk about how great it was.

Anonymous said...

This is simply exciting, fantastic news for you Jeff. I'll be watching for Richard O's column in the Star. More great publicity for you. I'm thinking Frankie will remember you (as you are memorable!) Keep on keepin' on.

Marisa said...

I love that column in the Globe Auto section - I read it every week!

You and the Acura together in the Globe :)

Enjoy your time with Frankie. I am sure that it will be amazing and surreal for you all at the same time.

love,moe

Jie said...

Wonderful news! Also, congrats on the well deserved media exposure. With the success of Toronto's production, I'm sure there will be plenty more opportunities in the near future for you and Mr. Valli to see each other's respective performances. Your performance = perfection!

I've seen the show twice now. Love it! I even posted a lengthy review of the show on my blog. I just can't stop praising it.

We (my sister & I) missed you on April 7th. Didn't realize you were sick. Glad to hear you're better now.

Hoping to make another trip to the show because you're the only "Frankie Valli" we want to see. ;o)

Thanks for the wonderful memories...wishing you continued health, happiness & success!

Rene said...

Hi Mr Valli..I am Mr.Vally with a Y. now "I" too.:)

It`s super great that you get to meet Franki Valli...I hope it is what you hope for and much more

Anonymous said...

Hey Jeff, I was just talking about you yesterday in my master class here in Frankfurt. - A nice young kid 20ish who does both opera and pop here in Germany and actually 'loves' singing falsetto needed reassurance that it was okay. Okay? Holy!
I am so proud and pleased for you - To think you are singing the songs I grew up dancing to in my teens. Please tell Frankie I thought he was the hottest and his copy isn't bad either. Enjoy this evey moment.

Vanessa said...

too bad you aren't going to be at Frankie's show because I will be there! and i would have loved to see you!
Saw you perform in Jersey Boys and you were fantastic! I have to admit my heart jump started when I saw you were going to be there today (thursday) gladly I was smart enough to read on so I guess I shouldn't bother sneaking my camera in, too bad we can't take pictures :(

Anonymous said...

lol, the show is actually amazing, i bugged all my friends, and i've gotten five or six of them to actually go and see the show, =D but yeah, i would have loved to see the real frankie vallie in action, but i couldn't, XD my teacher went though, she was talking about it in class today.

Anonymous said...

Have you closed Facebook? I heard one or two fans kept sending messages to the cast and an employee (I think) was getting harassed for tickets or some such nonsense.
Hope everything continues well with the show.

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