Jennifer Naimo

In between shows Wednesday our stage managers, Michelle and Michael nourished us with tons of Italian food from Luigi’s as we signed over 400 posters for the upcoming Bway Cares Equity Fights AIDS campaign starting this weekend. For six weeks all the Bway shows ask the patrons to contribute whatever they can to help fight aids, care for those men, women and children afflicted with AIDS, and also to support and fund the fight against breast cancer. We will be selling buttons with show slogans on them and the signed posters…and the four boys will be doing special signings and photos also after the show to help raise money.

Well, this morning the entire cast was invited to perform 55 minutes of Jersey Boys to the Baron Funds group. The city of NY chose our show, which was the first time any show has participated. In the past Elton John and Cher have performed. We all wore black and were in a state of the art huge tent, and their were food stations set up everywhere for the guests, so as they chewed and watched we did the first act, sans props, costumes, lighting…It was actually a lot of fun. At the other tent, Bernadette Peters was performing at the same time. I would have loved to watch her. I caught a little of her run thru, and she sounded amazing as usual. Kristin Chenoweth was to be after us, in the lobby of the Met, I believe, and the surprise guest for the group was to be Billy Crystal.

Michael Longoria was on as Frankie, and Steve Gouveia as Nick and they were simply marvelous. The 4 boys sounded so good, even at 10 in the morning for our sound check. We all sat in chairs on stage until our numbers, or scenes came up. The entire band was on stage with us and, I could see that both the cast and band (along with the audience) really enjoyed watching the show again…We haven’t been able to see each other perform since rehearsal. It’s a great group of people..we all feel blessed.

All of the patrons were running up to us afterwards to ask for tickets. I said I can’t even get my family tickets…anyway till next chat..

Last night, we had the pleasure of meeting Miss Diana Ross after our performance. I try not to look out in the audience during the show until the finale. And I hate to know if anyone “famous” is out in the house for a performance, at least until the 2nd Act. It makes me self-conscious and takes me out of being Mary or the other characters.

But this time, we had advance notice she would be out there and desiring photos with the cast after the show. Well, my eyes went right her in the audience. She was wearing all white and the silhouette of her hair was glorious. She was so complimentary and gracious and funny. She said she knew every song, and Bob Gaudio happened to be there last night, along with our amazing writers Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman. Bob Crewe had seen the show the previous night and he’s always so upbeat and enthusiastic.

We are really blessed to be surrounded by such amazingly gifted giants, with huge hearts and gentle humility. I love that quality in any person.

Well, one more show today, and then the Jersey Girls are going out tonight to celebrate my birthday, as well as some of the female hair and wardrobe b-days that went by. My favorite food is Mexican…so tonight will be fun…Pictures to follow. At yesterday’s matinee, we met and had photos with John Stamos (“Full House,” “ER”). He was a sweetheart, and graciously complimented each of us on our performances. His girlfriend was a doll, too. I told her I didn’t know who was prettier–her or John, she pointed to him…

I also got to visit with my friend from my Grease days. Deborah Gibson. She was directly across the street watching Hairspray, as she’s friends with Haylie Duff. At intermission, she texted me to pop my head out, so I did from my dressing room and we yelled back and forth, right as John Stamos was re-entering for Act 2. Deborah said he asked her, “What are you doing Deb, audiitoning for the show?” Later at the second show, Deborah came by to say hi to me, Daniel and John. She heads back to LA to do South Pacific in Fresno,Ca (where my husband hails from) and had just come from singing on “Fox and Friends,” so she looked gorgeous. This woman never stops working, writing, singing–she’s tireless and has a huge heart…Off to show..

Kevin Costner didn’t really dance with us, but he did come backstage with his two lovely daughters and friends to take some pictures and meet us. He is so handsome up close and I let him know that, in case he didn’t. He’s very tall, too, as you can see in our photo together. It was a thrill meeting him. He is very humble and loved the show. We also saw John Hurley (“Dancing With The Stars”, Mr. Peterman on “Seinfeld”) in the audience with his wife, but he didn’t come backstage.

A lot of celebrities choose not to…they’re either shy or on their way to dinner??? Alright I’m off to do two shows…Jennifer

A few nights ago, Richard Thomas and his sweet wife Georgianna came to Jersey Boys. Imagine my delight when I heard,” Jennifer, you have guests to see you…Richard Thomas.” I worked with Richard at Williamstown Theatre Festival in the ’80′s. I was hired to do the Cabaret after the Mainstage theatre shows. So, Richard and I were teamed up to sing “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

This was his first time singing live, so he eagerly wanted to rehearse that number over and over and always at 200%. I loved working with him, and had a secret, innocent crush on him, because of his enthusiasm and talent. Well, it ended up that they changed the end of the song so that I actually stay with him…Happy Ending!!

Anyway, jump to 2006, and I ran into Richard with my husband, Tim at Starbucks while he was in A Naked Girl on the Appian Way play, and we had just opened. He promised to catch the show when he could, and he kept his word. He was about to leave for the tour of Twelve Angry Men on the road for 8 months…so, if it’s coming to your town catch it..I promise he will be wonderful. He was so gracious to the cast on meeting them, too and he and his wife loved the show.

Well it was so exciting walking down Broadway…with smiling policemen and crowds gathering for Broadway on Broadway. We had to meet at the ABC studios on 44th St…and all the Bway shows were gathered in one holding room, which also housed two huge screen TV’s (to watch the show going on outside) and two lengthy tables of FREE food and beverages…every actors dream…

It was so fun hanging out with the other 24 shows. We all usually have the same performing schedule so we hardly see each other except if making plans after the show. I met Donny Osmond, Constantine Mar??? you know from two years ago American Idol…both very sweet. Also LaChanze, Harry Groener, Christine Ebersole, Eden Espinoza, Martin Short, Alan Zweibel (who I did Bunny Bunny with and wrote Billy Crystals one man show and helped Martin short that day) Diane DeGarmo, Hayley Duff, Will Chase, Jenn Collela, and a slew of amazing Bway talent were all in the same room…and Marc Shaiman (who I auditioned for years ago for the Sister Act movie).

When we got on stage to sing “Oh, What A Night”…it was like being a rockstar. You felt you could do no wrong but just have joy, and show your love to all those who came out to see this great event. Thank you everyone for being there. I had a riot…They say 50.000 people were supposedly expected…I couldn’t keep count after 325.

Well, I just got home from our alloted time slot to record our version of “O Holy Night.” Our musical director ROn Melrose arranged it via email as he’s away getting The Wiz at LaJolla Playhouse into shape. We lost our beloved Titus Burgess to that production, but at least we know Ron is returning in a few weeks. Titus is playing the Lion…

Most of the cast volunteered to do the recording. All the Broadway shows are invited to choose a song and come and record it. It’s always interesting to sing about Christmas when it’s 80 degrees outside. But there were 10 solos in our song, so almost everyone got to sing a line or two solo. It will be fun to hear the completed version near Christmas. And then, all of the proceeds from the sales of the Bway CD will again go to help men, women and children with AIDS.

Tomorrow, we have rehearsal too for a rendition of OH WHAT A NIGHT that we’ll perform at TImes Square,11:30AM, this Sunday the 10th for “Broadway on Broadway”..we’re #9 to perform. And, Matthew Scott will be performing the Bob Gaudio solo lead on it as Daniel Reichard is on vacation. Don’t look for the Jersey Girls to be wearing their skimpy brothel outfits..we will be more casual and clothed ..possibly in our Jersey Boys’ bowling shirts. Hope to see you all there..Jennifer

Hi everyone. I Finally got some photos to my creator, Dale.Thanks Dale they’re fun.Just look under PHOTOS

Last night’s show (August 22) was something else. To start, Dominic Nolfi was going to play Tommy for his first time after playing practically every other character in Jersey Boys but the women…so far. And Matthew Scott was to be Bob Gaudio, and Heather Ferguson was on for Lorraine…As if that wasn’t exciting enough, we were holding the curtain because our sound system crashed. Now I’m not a technical computer wizard type…but needless to say, we waited for 30 minutes to start, and when we did sing “Ces Soir Eh La” and “Tommy” starts his speech, there was no sound, and when we sang, we heard the worst kind of backup music…and we had to start all over again. So…they made another announcement and we started the show all over again. The audience was going nuts clapping at everything. Our sound designer, Julie is amazing and she mixed our whole show manually. I’m not sure what that means—only to say we couldn’t hear anything backstage;we had no sound effects; we could not talk backstage, cuz everything we said or sang was heard onstage and the band heard everything (even using the toilet) in their headsets. We were so relieved when the entire audience was on their feet at the end of the show. Kudos to Dominic and Julie for being so calm and cool..oh, and Matthew too..as his mic went out during “Cry For Me,” and as a waitress, I stood by him at the piano and held to his mouth a handmic…This is why I prefer live theatre to anything else…. Also it was nice to meet Kay and her family. She surprised her mom and dad for their 30th anniversary by bringing them to this eventful night. Thanks for saying hello, Kay.