FRANKIE AND JONNY – AND JOE
rankie Valli has had 84 years to perfect
being himself. Canadian-born actor
Jonny Wexler, who plays Valli in Jersey
Boys, has had just a single year to hone
his performance as the Newark, New Jerseyborn
pop singer.
Valli still tours, and still delivers the universally
familiar radio hits he recorded as a solo
artist and as frontman for the unforgettable
Four Seasons. His extraordinary three-octave
range remains somehow undiminished.
be Frankie,” says Wex-
seen. “I bring portions of my own life to the
-
Frankie was a lonely guy looking to love and
But can Wexler sing
childhood with piano and voice lessons. He
appeared in regional theater and summer
stock, and performed with the renowned
Amabile Boys Choir based in London, Ontario.
After graduating from high school, he was
cast on The Doodlebops, a hit TV show for
kids that aired on CBC, CBS and Playhouse
Disney. He also appeared in more than 600
Doodlebops live shows throughout Canada
and the U.S.
Wexler moved to Los Angeles in 2008 —
eventually becoming an American citizen
— to pursue an acting career. He found a
professional home at the La Jolla Playhouse,
where he made connections that led to his
being cast in Jersey Boys in 2014 — but not
as Frankie Valli.
“I was cast as Joe Pesci,” says Wexler. “It
changed my life. I had seen Jersey Boys on
Broadway in 2005, and it was the most elec-
ever have a chance to be in the cast.”
he mean that
Yes, he did. The tough-guy actor (Good-
fellas, My Cousin Vinny) introduced Valli and
guitarist Tommy DeVito to keyboardist and
songwriter Bob Gaudio, who would go on
Bassist Nick Massi is the fourth original member.
-
Goodfellas character was
named Tommy DeVito. And at one point in
“some kind of big shot, like Frankie Valli.”
has appeared in about 1,000 productions
of Jersey Boys all over the world.
different,” he says. “People can spend their
time and money a lot of different ways, so
show.”
— Randy Noles
F
Canadian-born actor Jonny Wexler, who plays
Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, previously played
Joe Pesci in the touring production. In one role
1,000 times all over the world.
86 artsLife | FALL 2018
F E A T U R E D P R O F I L E