Ryan Molloy

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Ryan Molloy
Ryan Molloy, following his performance as Frankie Valli from the musical Jersey Boys, at West End Live 2010.
Ryan Molloy, following his performance as Frankie Valli from the musical Jersey Boys, at West End Live 2010.
Background information
Birth nameRyan Molloy
Born (1970-11-21) 21 November 1970 (age 53)
North Shields, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Websiteryanmolloy.com

Ryan Molloy (born 21 November 1972) is a British actor, singer and songwriter. He has been successful in stage and musical theatre at West End and Broadway, appearing in a number of hit musicals, like Taboo, Jerry Springer: The Opera, Tonight's the Night, Godspell and six years in Jersey Boys playing as Frankie Valli made him the longest-running star in a West End musical.[1][2] In 2004, he replaced Holly Johnson as the lead singer in Frankie Goes to Hollywood for a charity concert at Wembley Arena being a band member until 2007, and since 2012 is often active with the Trevor Horn Band with whom recorded the album Made in Basing Street. He is known for his countertenor voice and falsetto.[3][4]

Early life and education

Molloy was born on 21 November 1972 in North Shields in Tyneside, to Bob and Winnie/Minnie Molloy.[2][5] He recalls it was "tough living there".[6] He attended Marden Bridge Middle School and Monkseaton High School.[7][8] He left high school at the age of 16,[7] but was enrolled in Delaval Studios part of Tyne Metropolitan College.[8] Molloy then moved to London to train as an actor. He attended The Poor School,[5] and later at the age of 19 also trained at the University of California, Los Angeles and New York City.[2][5] He had hard time in the US, where also lived his sister Michelle, as was mostly making money by winning in karaoke competitions.[2]

Music career

After returning from the United States, in 1994 he was signed by RCA Records.[9] In 1997 was planned for release a five track self-titled debut album by RCA Records, but the release was cancelled.[10] In 1998, Molloy sang the song "Black and White Army (Bringing The Pride Back Home)" written by Sting for the Newcastle's 1998 FA Cup final.[5] However, after four years, his music career "just didn't work out".[7]

On 31 October 2004, Molloy was chosen from 200 candidates as the new lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, appearing on 11 November in a special charity show for The Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena celebrating Trevor Horn's 25 years as a record producer,[5][11] performing live "Welcome to the Pleasuredome", "Two Tribes", and "Relax".[12][13] Horn considered he "was a hell of a good frontman".[14] He performed with them also in subsequent 2005 tour, and wrote some new songs for the band, but they weren't released as they disbanded in 2007.[5][15][16]

He spent some time in 2005 also working with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics on the spoof documentary Platinum Weird, which involved Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani and Carmen Electra. They would collaborate again in 2019, when Molloy performed live "Thorn in My Side" and "Love is a Stranger" at Eurythmics Songbook concert at Royal Festival Hall.[17] He also appeared at Jools Hollands' Jam House Club for the Edinburgh Festival in August 2006, together with his band Suntan.[5]

Molloy stayed in touch with Trevor Horn and on several occasions was part of his live The Trevor Horn Band and contributing lead vocals for "Freeway", "Man on the Moon", and "Stay Elaine" on studio album Made in Basing Street (2012),[18] including lately in 2018 at Queen Elizabeth Hall,[19] in 2019 at Cornbury Music Festival,[20] 2021 at Rewind Festival,[21] and 2022 at Cropredy Music Festival performing live FGTH's "Two Tribes", "Relax", "Power of Love" and Yes's "Owner of a Lonely Heart" among others.[22][23]

On 1 and 3 June 2013 performed "Make Our Garden Grow" with Barbra Streisand at two The O2 Arena concerts of her Barbra Live tour. As was found out that the duet partners Il Volo cancelled on the day of the concert itself, Molloy was immediately called up with little time for rehearsal.[7][24]

In 2009 released two albums Sing's Frankie and Human,[25][26] on 23 September 2013 single "Turn on the Night",[27][28] and in 2016 pop rock album Turn on the Night "mainly made up of old songs I wrote".[29][18] In January 2017, held a concert at The Stage Door in Southampton.[30] In April 2017, held a concert "Big in Japan" (pun on his size[18]) in Tokyo, collaborating with producer Andy Wright and guitarist Kenji Suzuki from Simply Red.[18] Molloy held solo concerts at Hippodrome, London in 2014,[31] 2016,[32] 2020,[33] and 2021.[34]

Acting career

Molloy began his acting career in theatre appearing in a number of dramatic roles, including Los Angeles production of The Picked Cerebrum, and London productions of Betrayal and Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth.[35] In 2003 starred in the West End hit Taboo, playing Steve Strange alongside Boy George and Lyn Paul.[35][18] In 2004, he gained a chorus role in the controversial production of Jerry Springer – The Opera, where Molloy was a member of the original cast at the National Theatre, and went on to play the parts of the transvestite Tremont and the Angel Gabriel.[5]

In early 2006 had to do appendix operation,[5] but managed get the role of Stuart in the touring production of Ben Elton's Rod Stewart musical, Tonight's The Night.[5] In April-May 2007 played as Ozzie in the On the Town at the London Coliseum.[36] In June played Joilet Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers tribute musical Blues Brothers Unlimited at Centrepoint Theatre, Dubai.[37] In August played in Eurobeat at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[38] In September-October played as John the Baptist and Judas in Godspell,[39] with theatre critics Mark Shenton and Sam Marlower praising his projection of charisma,[40] being one of "few bright spots".[41]

"The important thing is to keep developing the character, to keep it fresh, and, my goodness, a long run takes a lot of self-discipline."

—Molloy on his long lasting acting as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, West End, London.[27]

In October 2007, Molloy was cast as Frankie Valli in the West End premiere of Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre, and played his first preview performance on 28 February 2008, and official opening on 18 March 2008.[42][43] His performance was received with critical acclaim,[44][45] with Lyn Gardner writing in her critical review that "if it works at all, it is because Ryan Molloy carries all before him as the pint-sized Italian-American with the extraordinary falsetto",[4] while Shenton praised it and that "the energetic evening's anchor, Ryan Molloy displays amazing emotional and vocal range".[46] For his performance he received a Olivier Award nomination at 2009 Laurence Olivier Awards,[35] and was voted by the public as the Best Actor in a Musical at the 2009 WhatsOnStage Awards.[47] He remained with Jersey Boys for six years, with 2,500 shows as the lead by February 2014,[48] leaving with the last show on 9 March 2014, making him the "longest-running star in a West End musical" and "longest-serving Frankie Valli".[27][49] Molloy also provided vocals in the 2014 soundtrack (particularly "Beggin'") of the film version of the musical directed by Clint Eastwood, for which also auditioned but was chosen John Lloyd Young instead.[50] He reprised the role in the Broadway production for a limited engagement lasting from July to October 2014 at the August Wilson Theatre, New York City.[35][51] In March 2017 were held two sold-out shows Frankie's Farewell Weekend of Jersey Boys London at Hippodrome, London.[52]

In 2014, he played in musical Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be at Theatre Royal Stratford East.[35][53][54][55] In the first part of 2016 toured Ireland with a musical Che Guevara's Night Off he wrote and starred in.[56] In September-October 2016 at Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone, played Hades/Devil in a rock musical 27 choreographed and co-directed by Arlene Phillips,[57][58] partly based on Greek mythology, telling "the story of a musician following a path of self-destruction at the age of 27".[18] Molloy finds inspiring helping new small-scale projects using his profile, working with young people on new ideas and writing.[56] Shenton said that Molloy "set free at last from his Jersey Boys high notes – has matured nicely into the role of the Mephistopheles-like Hades",[59] while Sam Marlowe that "Ryan Molloy is charismatic as Hades, a sinister music exec like a diabolical cross between Iggy Pop and Simon Cowell".[60]

In last several years, Molloy founded Frankie and the Dreamers, a Frankie Valli-The Four Seasons tribute band, being a headliner for Royal Caribbean International and elsewhere.[61] Molloy continued small-scale theatre performances acting in dramas The Tempest (2018),[62] I Love My Wife (2018),[63] Time Biter (2021-2023),[64][65][66] and Julius Caesar (2023).[67]

Personal life

Molloy is Irish.[68] He lives in east London.[2] His sister Michelle Molloy is a photo editor at Time magazine in New York.[2]

He "was obsessed with John Hughes movies as a kid",[68] Barbra Streisand's Hello Dolly soundtrack was his childhood introduction to performance, while Donny Hathaway's Collection inspired his voice and style.[69]

Molloy supports Children in Need, Graham Wylie Foundation, Donkey Sanctuary and Cedarwood Trust charities.[2] In September 2017, Molloy took part in the Great North Run.[70]

References

  1. ^ Lewis, Carol (26 July 2013). "West End star Ryan Molloy finds a second career on the home stage". The Times. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Mikhailova, Anna (26 February 2017). "I tried Hollywood but made it big as a Jersey Boy". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. ^ McCorkell, Andrew; Lovell, Caroline (17 April 2011). "Anything you can sing, they can sing higher". The Independent. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b Gardner, Lyn (20 March 2008). "Jersey Boys (review)". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Ryan the hot Rod". The Northern Echo. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  6. ^ Cote, David (1 March 2008). "Can Four Seasons musical Jersey Boys repeat US success in Britain?". The Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d Hodgson, Barbara (25 June 2015). "From Shields boy to Jersey boy" (PDF). The Journal. pp. 15–17. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b Barr, Gordon (26 September 2013). "Hollywood beckons for Geordie Jersey Boy Ryan Molloy". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  9. ^ Levin, Mike (19 November 1994). "BMG Looks For New Marketing Ideas In Asia". Billboard. p. 42.
  10. ^ "Ryan Molloy – Ryan Molloy". Discogs. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Frankie's new vocalist unveiled". BBC. 31 October 2004.
  12. ^ Britt, Thomas (23 July 2009). "Trevor Horn and Friends: Slaves to Rhythm (DVD review)". PopMatters. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  13. ^ Orbell, Jeremy (26 April 2006). "Frankie say it again". The Pleasureboard. zttaat.com. Retrieved 24 October 2023. We needn't have worried because Ryan gave a terrific performance and looked ever inch the rock star in his black eye make-up and spangly top that bared his chest. It wasn't Holly but I could live with it because this was a moment I thought I'd never see again.
  14. ^ Horn, Trevor (13 October 2022). Adventures in Modern Recording: From ABC to ZTT (first ed.). Nine Eight Books. ISBN 9781788706032. The auditions made national headlines. Through them we recruited a singer called Ryan Malloy, who was a hell of a good frontman.
  15. ^ Atkinson, Graeme (28 March 2009). "Frankie Goes". Record Collector. No. 362. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  16. ^ Richards, Will (8 May 2023). "Watch Frankie Goes To Hollywood play first show in 36 years". NME. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (14 August 2019). "Eurythmics Songbook review – sweet dreams of synthpop heaven". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d e f "Ryan Molloy interview—the first Japanese Big In Japan live concert". Ring of Colour. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  19. ^ Sinclair, Paul (3 November 2018). "Review: Trevor Horn and band in London". Super Delux Edition. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  20. ^ Kattack, Dale (August 2019). "Cornbury Festival: Great Tew Country Park" (PDF). Nightshift. No. 289. Oxford. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  21. ^ O'Neill, Eamon (24 August 2021). "The '80s Return as Rewind 2021 Hosts Jimmy Somerville, Wet Wet Wet & More". eonmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  22. ^ Jackson, David (12 August 2022). "Photos: World-famous folk rock festival, Fairport's Cropredy Convention, is Back!". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  23. ^ The Trevor Horn Band - Singleton Park - Swansea - 29/07/2022. YouTube. Mr. Shows UK. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  24. ^ Wenn (4 June 2013). "Barbra Streisand recruits Ryan Molloy for London gig". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  25. ^ Gans, Andrew (12 August 2009). "Jersey Boys Star Molloy to Sign Copies of New CDs Aug. 15". Playbill. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Ryan Molloy – Sing's Frankie". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  27. ^ a b c Walker, Tim (7 November 2013). "Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris Hollins to become a father". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 October 2023. Molloy, the longest-serving actor in the role of Frankie Valli, says: "The important thing is to keep developing the character, to keep it fresh, and, my goodness, a long run takes a lot of self-discipline," he says. Off stage, Molloy is pre-occupied with the release of a new single on iTunes called Turn on The Night.
  28. ^ "Ryan Molloy – Turn on the Night - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Ryan Molloy – Turn On The Night". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  30. ^ Reddin, Lorelei (23 January 2017). "REVIEW: Ryan Molloy Live, The Stage Door, Southampton". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  31. ^ Tracy, Molly (20 December 2013). "Ryan Molloy, Tenors Un Limited and More Set for The Hippodrome, Jan-Feb 2014". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Ryan Molloy". The Hippodrome Casino London. 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  33. ^ Wild, Stephi (16 November 2020). "LIVE IN LONDON at The Hippodrome Announces New Performance Schedule". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  34. ^ Wild, Stephi (5 March 2021). "Fourth Wall Live's LIVE IN LONDON Concerts To Be Streamed From 26 March". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  35. ^ a b c d e O'Hanlon, Dom. "Ryan Molloy makes Broadway debut in Jersey Boys". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  36. ^ Martland, Lisa (24 April 2007). "On the Town (review)". The Stage. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Prepare to rock 'n' roll". Khaleej Times. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  38. ^ Radosavljevic, Duska (20 August 2007). "Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision (review)". The Stage. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  39. ^ Hickling, Alfred (20 September 2007). "Godspell (review)". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  40. ^ Shenton, Mark (3 October 2007). "Godspell (review)". The Stage. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  41. ^ Marlowe, Sam (25 September 2007). "Godspell". The Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  42. ^ Shenton, Mark; Nathan, John (28 February 2008). "Jersey Boys Arrives in London Feb. 28 at the Prince Edward". Playbill. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Jersey Boys: Oh, what a night". The Guardian. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  44. ^ Nightingale, Benedict (19 March 2008). "Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward". The Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023. Indeed, there were times last night when I felt the performers were making even the Beatles sound somewhat lacking in musical texture. Since when did John, Paul or George have the soaring falsetto that Ryan Molloy's Valli effortlessly produces? ... Molloy's excellent Valli...
  45. ^ Hart, Christopher (23 March 2008). "Jersey Boys, Prince Edward Theatre: the Sunday Times review". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023. Ryan Molloy, as Frankie, has a voice that sweeps up from reedy whisper to hard-edged, auditorium-filling falsetto with magnificent ease.
  46. ^ Shenton, Mark (22 April 2008). "Jersey Boys (review)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  47. ^ Dunn, Carrie (16 February 2009). "Stars step up to the mic at the Whatsonstage.com awards concert". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  48. ^ Peterson, Tyler (19 February 2014). "West End's JERSEY BOYS Celebrates 2,500th Performance Tomorrow". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  49. ^ Bosanquet, Theo (11 February 2014). "Ryan Molloy announces Jersey Boys departure after six years in role". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  50. ^ "Ryan Molloy: 'I fear leaving Jersey Boys'". WhatsOnStage.com. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  51. ^ Hetrick, Adam (13 May 2014). "London Jersey Boys Star Ryan Molloy Will Be Broadway's New Frankie Valli". Playbill. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Frankie's Farewell Weekend". The Hippodrome Casino London. 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  53. ^ Hemley, Matthew (24 February 2014). "Ryan Molloy to join Stratford East's Fings Ain't What They Used T'Be". The Stage. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  54. ^ Dunn, Carrie (2014). "Molloy and Booth Join Cast Of FINGS AIN'T WOT THEY USED T'BE". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  55. ^ Maxwell, Dominic (22 May 2014). "Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be at Theatre Royal Stratford East". The Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  56. ^ a b Swain, Marianka (22 August 2016). "Interview: Ryan Molloy On Karting With Simon Cowell and New Musical 27". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  57. ^ Swain, Marianka (18 August 2016). "Photo Flash: In Rehearsal With New Rock Musical 27". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  58. ^ O'Hanlon, Dom (2016). "In Conversation with Ryan Molloy about new musical 27 at the Cockpit Theatre". LondonTheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  59. ^ Shenton, Mark (13 September 2016). "27 (review)". The Stage. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  60. ^ Marlowe, Sam (16 September 2016). "Theatre: 27 at the Cockpit, NW8". The Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  61. ^ Wooten, Arthur (24 August 2017). "A royal passage across the Atlantic: The Anthem of the Seas". Passport Magazine. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  62. ^ Cristi, A.A. (8 September 2018). "Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST To Open On Talk Like A Pirate Day". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  63. ^ Wild, Stephi (23 November 2018). "I LOVE MY WIFE Plays At The Kraine This December". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  64. ^ Cristi, A.A. (23 September 2021). "Emerging Artists Theatres New Work Series Returns To TADA Theater, October 4". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  65. ^ Grace, Cutler (26 July 2022). "Raunchy, Award-Winning Dark Comedy TIME BITER Returns For Off-Broadway Run". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  66. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (8 March 2023). "Dark Comedy TIME BITER Lands West Village Residency at Players Theatre This Spring". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  67. ^ Wild, Stephi (22 June 2023). "Shakespeare Workshoppe Presents Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  68. ^ a b Henderson, Kathy (31 July 2014). "Ryan Molloy on His American Psycho Pad & Why Starring in Jersey Boys Makes Him Feel Like a Ballerina". Broadway.com. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  69. ^ "Ryan Molloy: My six best albums". Daily Express. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  70. ^ Hodgson, Barbara (24 August 2017). "Great North Run - which celebrities will be taking part in the 2017 event?". Metro. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
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