Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young, Broadway’s original Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, brought his golden voice and storytelling charm back to 54 Below for an evening of great singing. With Ron Abel as musical director and a dynamic band—Sean Harkness (guitar), Derek Nievergelt (bass) and Mark McLean (drums)—Young delivered a show rich in emotion and musical polish.
He shared how, while preparing for his Jersey Boys audition, he discovered an old interview in which Valli revealed that Roy Orbison was his singing inspiration—just as Orbison had been for Young himself. That revelation deepened the connection between performer and role, and it resonated throughout the evening’s set, especially in passionate renditions of “Crying” and “Only the Lonely.”
Young also displayed his gift for languages with a heartfelt “Perfidia” sung beautifully in Spanish, and later brought the crowd to its feet by inviting fans to sing along on “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Sherry.” Warm, personal and vocally stunning, John Lloyd Young once again proved why audiences remain devoted to his voice—and his heart.
