Jennifer Naimo

Well I made it. I took Sunday and Tuesday off from the show to fly home to LA and be with my husband,Tim…remember him? We went to a special interview…more later. I was nervous about taking the Red Eye back, One, I hate to fly. Two, it was hard to leave Tim. Three, how to rest on a plane, land at 5:00 AM and take a nap and be ready for the 2 shows. JET BLUE is the best airline. It was fun, and pretty restful, considering before we took off the pilot announced we would be going through bumpy weather ahead…(the cabin doors were already sealed, otherwise I would have run) and they give you eye shades, earplugs, lip balm and shea butter from BLISS SPA..Landed at 5:14 took LIRR to Penn then cab and in my bed at 6:30 AM till 10:30 and got ready for matinee.

I had an amazing time at home. We walked forever on the beaches in Santa Monica, and than Old Town Pasadena…had all my favorite meals..at Cheesecake Factory, than El Cholo…had enough chips, guac and nachos to fly the plane home myself on my carb intake…but worth every calorie..

Last night Travis Cloer went on for the first time as Frankie Valli. Michael Longoria did the matinée as he’s contracted to do..and does it so well..such energy and commitment..and then I kissed someone else for the evening show…lets see that’s 3 guys in one day…but Tim knows who’s the best. The whole creative team and casting team showed up to watch and support Travis and his family too. He did wonderfully and the whole cast was so enthusiastic and energized too.

Today and tomorrow we get a chance to see the final run through of the second tour of Jersey Boys..I’m going tomorrow. I loved going last year with the first tour it was fun..since I’ve never seen our show before. I hear this cast is really wonderful too..Alright off to the gym than chiropractor (which I’ve put off for over a year) but now it’s catching up with me…I’m old.

Last night Ray Liotta and his friend Judy came backstage. He was so cool. I told him when I first got this role and was molding it in La Jolla, a dear intern, Jordan, recommended to me several films to watch for Italian women..this being so great…and come on guess who’s in it?? Anyway he said he was so touched by the show as he grew up in New Jersey and in 7th grade he and his friends would sing “Walk Like A Man”..even though they didn’t know all the words. He said he was moved many times as it brought him back…

Also we has the pleasure of meeting James Moody (Moody’s Mood) after we opened and his wife Linda came back a week ago with her sister and friend and gave me a photo of Moody, who is still going strong on the road…what a gentleman he is and his wife is beautiful inside and out..

It’s true we have an added show this Sunday night for the Actors Fund and yesterday we did a whole put in /show for our new member Colin who replaces Steve Gouveia..He did great and is a sweetheart. Also Travis Cloer was put in as Frankie…let me just say his voice is amazing!!!!! The entire cast was so enthusiastic about him and Colin..we soared thru the evening show. Colin begins Tuesday as Steve, who’s been in rehearsal with the 2nd company during the day, bids us farewell, First Titus now Steve..and we’ve been together since La Jolla, so it’s very sad. But still great for him. Not sure when Travis will be on as Frankie..but you won’t be disappointed. Des and Ron sure know what they’re doing in casting this show. I know there are a lot of “Frankies” in Frankie boot camp too. Keep up the hard work..it sure pays off. OK I’m going to get ready for the show..I’m kinda nervous about this nor easter…didn’t we just celebrate Easter?

Heather left today to go to Jersey Boys cast in San Francisco. Sandra Denise’s mother died. We are all so sad for Sandra and her family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family Sandra. Heather is helping to cover the role of Lorraine and Rebecca Kupka (our vacation swing) has come in to cover for Heather while she is away. Heather should be back the 29th of Ap ril. I know she has a lot of friends coming to see her when she goes on for me the first week of May. I’m doing a film in Michigan and seeing family and Tim. My niece is also getting married. Keep Sandra in your prayers and thoughts..

Well Daniel and Ericca are still out sick…Tonight Matthew Scott went on as Gaudio and did beautifully. What was neat is that his friend from college (Carnegie Mellon) was there to see him go on..and this cutie is the new Gaudio for the 2nd Nat’l. Also last night Annette Benning and Warren Beattie were spotted. I wish they came back stage. She is amazing …Also Brian Darcy James was spotted out there the same night as Steven Spielberg.

Sorry to Eddie Driscoll for spelling his name wrong…

Steve Gouveia and I walked home after last nights show. We’re going to miss him and his twisted sense of humor…but were so excited he’ll be playing a lead…Nick Massi. He says he’s getting so sad on stage realizing he’s leaving but he’s really excited about this new group of actors he’s rehearsing with…He’s rehearsing with them in the day, and after 11 weeks with them he goes in mid July to LA to join that company, and Michael Ingersol goes to the Chicago company so he can be home with his wife.

I think a virus is hitting the community here on Bway…Daniel Reichard and Ericca Piccinnini both were out the last couple shows…Daniel has strep throat. These two rarely miss shows so it was nice to have Heather Ferguson on as Lorraine and Dominic Nolfi was on as Bob Gaudio. I love when Heather goes on…she has a fun attitude on and off stage…and her mom was in town for Easter week and got to see her in this part.

Most exciting for us and for Heather and Dom was that Steven Spielberg was at the show AGAIN!! this time with his kids. There have been rumors in the press and such that he’s being approached to direct the film version of Jersey Boys..?? He came right after we opened the show too with his wife Kate and George Lucas.

Some of the second touring company members have been coming to watch the show after their rehearsal at night…so we’re slowly beginning to meet them. Last night the Gyp DeCarlo actor came…Eddy?? Driscoll..congrats to all.

PS: Tim tapes American Idol for me (as I don’t have Tivo or a DVR) and mails me the tapes so that I get them a week later…but this time he included last weeks Law and Order…You all need to check out Christian Hoff on this limited commercial free episode. He was wonderful, moving, intense, vulnerable…excellent…Christian is one classy guy.

Hi

Today I’m shooting a part in Amy Neswald’s (our hair dept. head at JB) new film. I will play a mom in the 60′ s giving birth, and than another scene when he’s a toddler. Amy also cast Erica Piccinnini as the ingenue in it and Kris Coleman…and some of our cast’s apartments are being used too. Amy is a talented writer and does mean work on our hairstyles..It should be fun..She and Michael Clarkston (our stage mgr) are pulling double duty..shooting from 4 am till late afternoon than doing the show at night.

Last night Kyrsten Green did a walk on in the show , pairing up with Peter Gregus in a scene. Her family contributed a significant donation to Bway Cares ..she did a great job. She’s a broadcasting major and a dance minor..and I think the next Mary Hart..beautiful..Her family was so excited when she came out at the end to bow.

I also briefly saw John and Noreen from West Point..the cutest couple who’ve been married for over 35 years..who stood in line for hours to get tickets..and ended up in the 5th row. they were kind enough to ask me to dessert but a surprise friend of mine Sarah Zimmerman, who I did The Full Monty with, flew in and got a SRO ticket and saw the show. She actually is in town to see the marathon Coast of Utopia production…she’s an amazing actress and friend who lives on the West Coast now..anyway off to film land…

Oh did I say we spotted a gorgeous Selma Hayek in the audience last week..and I mean gorgeous…and I think pregnant.?

Well, unfortunately Aretha Franklin didn’t make it to the matinée…we were disappointed but still had a great audience. Rick Elice, Roger Rees, Marshall Brickman, were present before the show. And that always delights my heart. They have finished the casting of the 3rd Company of Jersey Boys…cast tba…how exciting..this company takes over the San Fran companies spot and then goes to Chicago in the fall..Des McAnuff came on Friday to give us notes on shows he had observed this past week. He couldn’t have been happier and said he was shocked when the end of both acts came…and he has watched this show in many incarnations, over and over. SO that was a great testament to our stage mgrs, dance captain, and us as a group. I think when you love what you’re doing, and respect the material, it’s easy and a privilege to maintain its integrity.

I also got to finally meet Kathryn Hanson and her dad from Atlanta..they’ve been fans of the show and this was the first time they got to see it, and Beverly brought her daughter and her husband on Sunday…I got beautiful lilies from Dorian, and saw a lot of other fans ..Thank you so much..have a great week…off to two auditions today on my day off…yee ha!

Yes..spring has sprung. Even though it was 42 degrees yesterday I walked to work with a smile because it was the first day of Spring…I love spring..full of hope, new beginnings…sunshine, flowers..and a 3rd Company of Jersey Boys!!!!! I was thinking what a great day it must have been yesterday for a number of people. The creative staff and casting directors put out their calls to their choices for the next Jersey Boys company. I remember how excited I was.

I was actually working at Miceli’s, an Italian singing restaurant..across the street from Universal Studios. I loved the singing part, but hated refilling peoples drinks…Bad waitress…and upset when my tips were bad after I had sung my heart out…Anyway I overheard one of the young waitresses, Janine, say she had a callback for Jersey Boys in La Jolla…and I thought I didn’t even get an audition. So I called my agent, he called the casting people in LA, who didn’t know me, they faxed all the girls scenes (which were different than now) and asked me to choose any of the girls parts and prepare it. Some how Mary Delgado resonated with me…Which is ironic considering I have Catholic children’s videos out there…but that’s what “acting” is all about…So I went in, sang my song and did the scenes. They couldn’t have been sweeter and said “Do exactly what you just did and come back at 5pm for Des and Ron Melrose..”

Well I did Big River with Des years before and I had met Ron before. I came back and they were so warm. That’s the thing about Des, he sets up such a welcoming, playground to play in and just is smiling and open to what you’re doing up there. We chatted a bit after and I left. An hour later I get a call to come back at 10 am the next day for the same crew and Frankie Valli. He was awesome too.. It had to be the easiest audition, in that there was no time for worrying or over-preparing…just jumping in. They said they had to return to NY one more time…but within a week I heard that phone ring saying I had the role. I was actually in Barnes and Nobles in the theatre section in Pasadena sipping my decaf. I cried.

I have never originated a role. And than to be brought back to NY where my schooling at NYU Grad Acting Program sprung…record the CD two weeks into the rehearsal process, perform on all the TV shows, and the Tony’s, win the Tony, win the Grammy…just to be a part of this. I know I’m blessed and consider it a miracle each time I get cast…So I feel the excitement of this new cast and the joy the San Fran company felt as they got to perform on Jay Leno Monday night. Congratulations to all of you..and thank you for everyone who pays such hard earned money to keep us doing what we love to do…

And another thing…I hate to know who’s in the audience till at least Act 2…but as I was making my entrance at the start of the show…I see Des bringing in Martin Scorsese through the back way…and Des says “Now there’s a real director!” and last night Susan Stroman came to our show…and I had the pleasure of meeting her too. She is a doll…so generous and full of life…and joy.

From what I found out, the gentleman from a few weeks ago experienced a seizure not a heart attack and is doing alright. Thank God…see prayers help.