HOLLYWOOD—Stage and screen legend, Theodore Bikel, was on hand to introduce his colleague, friend and Tony Award® winner John Lloyd Young to the Los Angeles theatrical community for the Actors Fund concert series entitled “Musical Mondays,” held in the lobby of an historic theatre in Los Angeles.
Under the musical direction of Jerry Sternbach, Mr. Young offered many selections, such as “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Pure Imagination,” “What a Difference a Day Makes/Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Being Alive,” “Sherry, Walk Like a Man,” “Cryin, Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Ya Que No Estas Tu,” “Since I Don’t Have You,” “Pure Imagination” and “Bye, Bye Baby.” Tony Award® winner John Lloyd Young originated the role of Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys, the Story of Frankie Valli” and the “Four Seasons,” and he sings lead vocals on the Grammy-winning, certified-platinum Jersey Boys album. As Frankie Valli, Mr. Young became the only American actor in history to win all four major acting honors for a Broadway debut: the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World awards. He also has the distinction of being the first-ever guest star invited to appear on Fox’s hit, Golden Globe Award-winning comedy, “Glee,” as the thumbless cough-syrup addict, “Henri.”
The successful quarterly cabaret series has become a favorite tradition for audiences in Los Angeles. The series produced by John Bowab and Martin Wiviott, has given patrons an up close and intimate experience with some of theatre’s finest performers including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Melissa Manchester, Peter Gallagher, Valarie Pettiford, Alice Ripley, Emily Skinner, Sam Harris and Stephen Schwartz. Proceeds benefit The Actors Fund’s comprehensive programs and services.
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – performers and those behind the scenes – who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping nearly 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund’s programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has – for over 125 years – been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit actorsfund.org
Photographs are Courtesy: Daniel G. Lam 1) John Lloyd Young onstage, 2) Tamara Brooks and Theodore Bikel, 3) John Holly, Jomarie Ward, John Lloyd Young, Dale Olson and Keith McNutt and 4) John Lloyd Young and friend Kate Linder
