|
 Views,
Reviews, and Interviews
by Dianne R. Davis
diannerd@aol.com
Photos by Burt and Dianne Davis
Interview with Terry Fator
NJ Boy
Stars in Jersey Boys
When the curtain goes up each night on Jersey Boys, opening May 3 at the
Palazzo, there will be at least one genuine “Jersey Boy” in it. Rick
Faugno plays the role of Frankie Valli in the show which traces the
beginnings of the Four Seasons singing group. Rick grew up in New Jersey
(Sparta) just like Frankie did. Rick and the rest of the cast will be
taking audiences back in time and place to the 1960’s in New Jersey.
I had the pleasure of chatting with Rick recently and it is clear that
he has been preparing for this role his entire life.
DD: Rick, was there a moment in your childhood when you knew what you
wanted to do with your life?
RF: I think I knew when I was in dance class at five years old that I
was doing something I would like. I started as a dancer, then moved to
singing and dancing. At age 12, I appeared on Broadway in the Will
Rogers Follies and then I knew. I was Will Junior and I knew before the
show opened, once rehearsals started, that this was it.
DD: Did your parents Richard and Patricia Faugno support your dream?
RF: There were many sacrifices on their parts. Like driving into city
everyday so I could do shows. Mom transferred schools to teach in New
York...staying up late...taking me to class.
DD: What training did you have?
RF: Lot of dance training. I took a lot of classes in New York city. I
have a strong background in jazz, ballet, that kind of thing. I took
singing classes from a number of different teachers. I went to NYU’s
musical conservatory. I also had training in the business in college.
DD: What was your first big break?
RF: Will Rogers was my first big break in the business. After that, my
big break when I was 20 and got the show Fosse. That was my first big
break as an adult. After that, this.
DD: What’s the magic that makes this show work?
RF: There’s no special sets, no tricks, nothing fancy. It simply has a
great story and great music.
DD: What was your dream? Is this it? Are you there yet?
RF: My dream. [pause] I am fulfilling part of my dream now. With each
job, I fulfill a little part of it. Every dream I’ve had...I dream big,
always. I wanted to do a play and be the lead in a show and here I am. I
want to produce and be involved in shows in a different capacity. I
haven’t attained all my goals. I want to get to do film. I’ve always
wanted to do that. I feel that I will one day. As I was growing up in
the New York area, my attention was focused on Broadway and theater.
That’s my number one love. But there is something about film that is
attractive as well. As an actor, I’d love to do something like this.
DD: When did you join Jersey boys?
RF: I joined in October of 06. It’s been a long haul up to now. I was on
the original national tour. This is the first company after Broadway. I
auditioned for the role of Frankie Valli. I made it to the final call
backs. They gave me the part of Joe Pesci. I played him for six months.
Then they recast it and I became the alternate who does various parts
twice a week. I did that, then along came the Vegas company and they
asked if I wanted to head up the Vegas company.
DD: You are playing the role of a living legend in the music business.
How did you prepare to play Frankie Valli?
RF: I met him. He came to see the show in LA and sort of gave his stamp
of approval on me. He came backstage. I met him once before, when I was
playing Joe Pesci. Now, I was playing Frankie. He came back stage for
ten minutes or so and had nice things to say. He seemed happy. We hit it
off and exchanged phone numbers. We hung out a bit. I asked some
questions. In fact, I talked to him the other day. He will be at the
opening. It was great to sort of become friends with him.
How did I prepare? I did a lot of research obviously. I looked at old
film. There’s no written documentation of the Four Seasons. I had to do
lot of guess work. I watched old tapes. Then watched later when the box
set came out and I listened to that. Still do.
.
DD: What do you bring to your role?
RF: I think I bring an East coast Jersey feel to the role. I think I’m
the only guy of Italian descent from Jersey who’s played this role. I
try to bring that feel to the role.
DD: What is Jersey Boys' magic formula?
RF: I think because the story appeals to people of all generations, as
the music does. The music isn’t secondary but any Broadway show has
great music. But you don’t remember some as well because the story is
not as good. This is one of those musicals with a fantastic book. A book
that was written brilliantly by the authors....interwoven with music.
It’s the whole package. It’s not trying to be something its not. It is
the story of who they were. By the end, if they ever hear of Frankie
Valli, they become fans.
DD: Vegas is tough on Broadway shows. There have been many that have
come and gone. Why do you think Jersey Boys is the right show to make it
here?
RF: I think its is right show at right time. Las Vegas is ready for a
show like this. A story that is actor-character driven like this. Momma
Mia! has lasted five years here, but this is different. This is story
and music. This is more about who these guys were. Something new and
different.
DD: How long have you been in Las Vegas this trip?
RF: Been here five weeks.
DD: Did you have misconceptions about our community?
RF: I’m living in a hidden treasure. Summerlin. It is the nicest suburb
of Vegas. It is beautiful here. I lucked into my house .I can look out
the window and feel at home with trees and scrubs and grass. I love
that. It’s a weird thing, Vegas. I never spent much time here and now I
am living here. I’ve enjoyed it so far. The Strip is wild. I haven’t had
a chance to do much more than go to work, but I’m looking forward to
learning more about Vegas.
DD: Do you cook?
RF: Not great, but I was learning from watching when I was growing up.
DD: What’s your best dish?
RF: I’ve tried quite a few. I do a good vinegar peppers and pork chops.
DD: Who were your idols? Have you had the chance to meet them?
Rf: Frankie is definitely, if not before, then now. My folks as well.
They gave me great advice. Always work for what you want to achieve and
never give up. I have faced rejection and disappointment. They always
taught me the most valuable lesson for what I’m doing is to know you are
good. Take whatever comes your way and keep going. It may sound easy,
but not when you are faced with audition after audition of not getting a
job. One of 100 get it. Just to know that its going to happen one day.
Just keep working for it. Never quite rest on your laurels
DD: Let’s do some favorites. What is your favorite food?
RF: I’m a garbage can. What ever comes in my way. Dad grew up in a
restaurant. Had good food going up. Italian food.
DD: Favorite movie?
RF: The Godfather. I watched it with my dad hundreds of times.
DD: Favorite movie line ?
RF: Marlon Brando’s “Someday all this will be yours.” from The
Godfather.
DD: How about your favorite restaurant?:
RF: Dos Caminos at the Palazzo.
DD: Do you have a pet peeve?
RF: Yes, cell phones in the wrong places. Like when people are
driving...talking in movie theaters...cell phones ringing during the
show. Cell phone etiquette should be taught in school but you come out
of the womb and your parents give you a cell phone. We should teach kids
when they should and when they shouldn’t use them.
DD: What is your idea of a perfect day?
RF: Hanging out on the beach. Either in San Diego or Hawaii and just
swimming in the ocean with my girlfriend. That’s it. Perfect day.
Doesn’t get much better than that.
DD: What can you share about your girlfriend?
RF: She is in the show. Joyce Chittick. She plays my wife. We have
fights on stage.
DD: Who would you like to meet?
RF: There are a lot of people I’d like to meet. As an actor, I would
want to meet Robert De Niro. I am a huge fan of him as an actor. I enjoy
watching him. Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino. Those kind of people I would
like to meet at some point.
DD: What do you want people to know about you?
RF: That I’m a nice guy. And that family is the most important thing. I
think that there’s a lot of crazy things in this work. I was raised with
a tight family and I’d like people to know that I put them first. The
world would be a better place if people did the same. They [family] came
before anything else for me. That means the most to me.
DD: Thanks for spending time with Las Vegas Round The Clock. I look
forward to seeing you on stage in Jersey Boys in May. And break a leg.
RF: Thanks Dianne
Jersey Boys has its Grand Opening on Saturday evening, May 3.
Performances are nightly at 7:00 p.m. except Wednesdays. There are 10:00
p.m. shows on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Tickets start at $65 plus tax. The
show has strong authentic Jersey language and is not appropriate for all
ages. In the wonderful tradition of Broadway, the show runs two hours
and ten minutes with a pause. For tickets call 866 641-7469.
|
