Michael Longoria

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 8:36am

I keep hearing such great things about his version of Franki... how many of you here have seen him in the role? and how would you compare him to JLY?

Does he sound like Frankie when he performs?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:30am

Much Better.
Yes.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:50am

Michael doesn't age as well in the role.
They both sing similar to Frankie. I don't think Michael sounds as much like Frankie as everyone says he does.
They are both amazing actors, and both great.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:55am

Michael, IMO, is as good as JLY. I enjoyed both of their performances very much.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:50am

oh wow! sounds like good news to me... whenever i hear JLY's recording on the OBC, i'm amazed at how well he can mimick Frankie's voice... it makes the show such a joy to watch.

I was always curious to know how Longoria sounded... guess I'll have to go watch him and see!

But it seems like several of you are saying he is almost as good, if not just as good as JLY. that... definitely gives me a boost of confidence.

[JB Fan]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:08pm

It's a good understudy. He does have the notes, and for the most part, Longoria is in the ballpark of sounding like Frankie.

It's not as good if not better as some have said, I found glaring differences in terms of acting and quality. That is my opinion.

Good understudy, and really does a nice job...JLY is far superior in my opinion.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:19pm

I have not seen Michael play the role, but I did see him perform some of the JB songs at a benefit (filling in for JLY), and was not impressed. Thought his voice was weak in comparison, heard a lot of straining to hit the high notes, and it was actually pretty unpleasant. Based on what I saw/heard, I would not want to see him in the role. He's a great Joe Pesci, however.

[BroadwayPenguin2]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:23pm

^ I saw both, and it was the exact opposite. JLY was straining the entire time, where as Michael could glide through smoothly and hit all those notes with no problem at all.

His capture of Franki was great too. Had me bawling at the phone convo part and the song.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:59pm

I've seen Michael two times as Frankie and I loved him as Frankie both times, he's a great understudy for JLY. I prefer to see JLY, but if I can't I'll settle for Michael. I love his album as well. Listening to some of the songs on Michael's album, Under 1000 Shades of Blue gives you a good idea about his singing.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 1:22pm

"I think the main difference is: JLY ages the role and changes from ACT 1 to ACT 2 through mannerisms, and Micheal's changes arent as noticable, but Micheal sounds more like Frankie Valli to me, but JLY sounds like him too."

From my review awhile ago.

I loved Micheal.
But JLY is AMAZING.
They both sound like him.
But JLY acts and ages the role
as aposed to Micheal who sings like him
But you don't see the aging process.
Clumsy's JB experience

[JB Fan]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 3:33pm

Hey, Broadway Penguin, when did you see JLY in JERSEY BOYS? Because there was a period (last summer in July and August) where his voice was having trouble, but that is all over now.(the whole relux/throat infection problem.) He is now so solidly singing the score, you would never know that there was problem (unless he gets sick, which happens).

I have never been as impressed as some with Longoria's voice....something about it sounds chipmunk/cartoon-like. Frankie's voice was more plaintive, had more guts. JLY's is much much closer, in my opinion. And then there is the lower notes...where Longoria seems to bottom out, and JLY is still rich.





Updated On: 3/22/07 at 03:33 PM

[Duckie93]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 3:33pm

Michael is a stonger singer but John is the stronger actor.
Ive seen him 2 times

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 3:50pm

yikes. alot of conflicting opinions... i never doubted whether or not longoria was a good singer tho. i'm sure he sings really well... but to me... the important thing is... can he sound like Frankie?

There are alot of singers I love who have great voices but probably couldnt pull off "Frankie's sound". Thats what I loved about seeing JB last year. Listening to JLY was like listening to Frankie.

I just wish I could watch or hear a sample of Longoria's Frankie... to see how he sounds. blah

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 4:03pm

"^ I saw both, and it was the exact opposite. JLY was straining the entire time, where as Michael could glide through smoothly and hit all those notes with no problem at all. "

I saw JLY twice and then I saw Michael and I definitely noticed that too but for just one of those two performances ( It was one of his first performances back from being sick which I didn't realize until I read his blog). I've seen JLY a number of times after that and he didn't sound like he was straining at all. He sounded great on Tuesday.

I thought overall Michael was amazing as Frankie.

[bwayfan4life]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 4:09pm

I saw a special it was a tribute to Hal Prince in the park I believe, and the cast of Jersey Boys sang, All I Ask of You from Phantom, but JLY wasn't with them, does anybody know if that was Michael that took his place, if so, maybe a copy of it could be found so cubanpab coulde see him.

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 6:02pm

I've seen both JLY and Michael and while Michael was fantastic. I prefer JLY. His acting is much better and I agree he ages much better than Michael. I also think JLY had a greater presence and his voice was stronger. His falsetto is gorgeous and I like his regular voice better.

Jarrod Spector of the tour cast is also incredible. He is my second favorite Frankie.

Updated On: 3/22/07 at 06:02 PM

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 6:56pm

bwayfan4life... thank you so much for your suggestion! i was able to find that Phantom performance on "the site that cannot be named"... and i finally got to hear longoria "as Frankie". finally!! woo-hoo.

i'll echo the same opinion that some others gave... just based on that 1 clip i thought he sounded great as Frankie... i still like JLY's "Frankie voice" better, but Longoria's version was pretty spot on. seemed very strong to me. i bet in person its even better. he seems like a great understudy choice.

Just based on that 1 clip of course. i cant make any more conclusions till i go see the show...

which is definitely what i'll do next time i'm in NYC!

[AnaGFan]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 7:25pm

Love Michael Longoria's Joe Pesci.

[TampaNative]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 8:35pm

Saw Jersey Boys in October and Michael Longoria did not perform the evening we were there...saw Dominic Nolfi in the role. I will be back in July to see it again, and expect to see him in the Frankie Valli role this time, if JLY does not extend (which, of course, I hope he does!).

It's good to hear that he does a good job as Frankie Valli, but JLY really sounds amazingly like Frankie Valli.

[onelastrefrain2]

Posted: 3/22/07 at 10:54pm

I saw JLY the first time I saw the show, and then Michael about four other times. I think JLY sounds more like Frankie, while I feel Michael is a better actor out of the two. JLY has the singing down and Michael has the acting (especially during Fallen Angel). I do enjoy both of their performances though.

[JB Fan]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 12:58am

Ok, that's ridiculous.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 8:51am

I think the exact opposite of onelastrefrain2.

I strongly disagree about Michael not being able to sing the high notes. Find his MySpace and give a listen to one of his songs - especially Wait. The high notes he hits at the ends of his songs are magnificent.

I'd say Michael has more of a clear tone in the high range, while JLY's is more raspy. If you listen to The Four Seasons recordings, Frankie's tone is not extremely as clear as Michael's.

I think what doesn't age Michael as well is his face, though he can't help it. He just looks very young, and it doesn't help when he has to age quite a few years. He also doesn't modify his appearance as JLY does in the show. Everything from the squint of his eyes seems to be modified in each scene to make him seem older.

They're both amazing, and unless I wanted to personally talk to JLY afterwards, I wouldn't freak out over finding an understudy slip in my playbill.

[bwayfan4life]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 9:32am

cubanpab, glad I could be of help. I hope you enjoy the show, I saw it back in November right after it first opened, it is truly a great production and a great night at the theatre.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 11:10am

i'm just excited to take my mom to go see it... shes never seen a show on broadway before, and i really think this is the one shed enjoy most. she grew up in that time... loves the four seasons.

i'll keep my fingers crossed that JLY extends and we get to see him again. if not, atleast i know Longoria wont dissapoint.

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 12:54pm

What's great about Jersey Boys is that regardless of whether JLY or Michael are on for any given night is that, either way, you are guaranteed a fantastic show. I have rarely enjoyed an understudy so euqally to the star performer as I have with seeing both JLY and Michael Longoria play Valli.