Feature
To the delight of West End audiences, Ryan Molloy continues to portray legendary singer Frankie Valli to critical acclaim in the hit musical Jersey Boys
Valli in Jersey Boys in February 2008, Ryan, from North Shields, is now the longest run- ning lead actor in a West End musical. His spell as the legendary singer at the Prince Edward Teatre has brought him an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor and a string of positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Ryan told Waterfront: “It’s a great role that’s
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a challenge to do every night. After a while, you find yourself becoming quite addicted to the pressure and the constant search for more pieces of the jigsaw. You also get to find out a lot about yourself on the journey and how far you are willing to explore something you believe in. When you immortalise such an epic character for such a long period of time you learn more about yourself than the character you’re portraying. Tere are always similarities to find and differences to endure. But a stage is not a place to hide. When you can’t pretend anymore, all that’s left to do is tell the truth.” Ryan began his training in his native North East before heading for LA to find fame and fortune. Since moving to London the 37-year-old has appeared in a host of musi- cal and theatrical productions. As a recording artist, who recently released his debut solo single Turn On The Night, he has worked with performers such as Sting, Te Pussycat Dolls and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. He is clearly an artist of ambition, but understand- ably admits it will be “scary” when he finally calls time on his reprisal as Te Four Seasons front man. He said: “When the day comes, it will be a beautiful day, a scary day, but a day of celebration. It will be bittersweet indeed. Te completion of such an undertaking will
hough undoubtedly a man of many talents, Ryan Molloy can readily be defined by a single role. Having first appeared as Frankie
change me forever. I’m hoping for a street party, a Rolex watch perhaps, even a Red Arrows fly-by! But after I do utter my final words as Frankie Valli I’m sure a feeling of relief will wash over me and I can go back to being Ryan Molloy. Whoever he is now!” Newark born Frankie Valli has racked up a
catalogue of iconic songs in one of the most distinguished careers in US music history. Hits such as Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Grease became engrained in the musical subconscious of a young Ryan, who has now met the iconic singer in person. Ryan said: “So many of their (Four Sea-
sons) songs are embedded within our sub- conscious because they’ve been a part of our lives for so long. I never really knew how much until I walked out on that stage. Te ‘V Man’ is the business! At 78 years old he is still rocking it, churning out those hits and mesmerising the crowd with his vocals. To go through so much and still have the
“Tese days you’ve got to be an Eton boy if you want to get on the big screen”
light switched on within your heart is truly a testament to his enduring talent. I’m looking forward to a game of backgammon with the master in Beverly Hills after I complete my Jedi training.” It is with a tinge of regret then, that when
it came to the casting for the Jersey Boys mo- tion picture, scheduled for release in 2014, Director Clint Eastwood overlooked Ryan for the role of Frankie, opting instead for American John Lloyd Young, who reprised the role in the Broadway musical. Ryan said: “I did not meet Clint Eastwood, which is a shame because it sounds like he met eve- rybody else! He never came over to see the
London show during the casting of the film, which is disappointing as I am probably the biggest Dirty Harry fan out of all the Frank- ies!”
Tere is no doubt that Ryan harbours am- bitions to introduce his talents to the big screen, but believes he faces something of a ‘closed shop’ in the UK. He said: “It would be nice to return to LA one day and finish what I started all those years ago on film. Cruising the highway with the top of my car down and the wind blowing in my hair. But Lon- don’s my city so it would be nice to do some movies over here. Tough these days you’ve got to be an Eton boy if you want to get on the big screen. But I can be down with the bourgeois!” Even without the movies, Ryan has still en-
joyed some incredible moments in the spot- light, most notably when Barbra Streisand asked him to fill in for her duet partners. Having secured the evening off from Jersey Boys, Ryan found himself performing along- side another US musical icon, in front of 18,000 gleeful fans. Ryan said: “She touched me on the shoulder and set me free! Tere’s nothing quite like singing with Barbra Joan Streisand to a sold-out O2 Arena crowd. My mother was there watching, sandwiched be- tween Adele and Gwyneth Paltrow. I learnt a lot that night about control and enjoyment. Never let the size of an occasion take the fun out of it.”
Ryan Molloy’s debut solo single Turn On Te Night is available to buy on iTunes
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