Eric Petersen to Succeed Brightman in SoR on Nov. 7th

[adamgreer]

ACL2006 said: "it could be for the alternate, too. Is the show touring this Fall?

 

There is in fact a tour going out this fall. It comes to my neck of the woods (Orlando) in December. 

[PThespian]

I'm wondering if it's to get a second understudy. 

When Alex was playing the role there was the alternate plus two understudies. 

Since he has left there is just the alternate and one understudy. 

The understudy goes on quite a bit due to the demanding nature of the role (fun fact: everyone who has played the role has damaged their vocal chords to the extent that extended periods of vocal rest (and surgery in one case) were needed). 

Maybe they are looking to bring someone else in to cover the role, and the current understudy might be taking time off in March (although he took a vacation not too long ago which was his second since the show began). 

That's just a guess. I'm going to have to see what I can find out. 

[PThespian]

All I will/can say is that there is no plan to replace Eric at this point. 

 

[RippedMan]

Hm. Interesting. I know it's a rough show vocally + high energy, but that sounds terrible. Is it just the nature of how they have to sing the songs? I feel like it's a fairly tough part to cast. 

[PThespian]

I think it's the range of the songs, and the fact that they are belting some crazy notes. 

It starts with "Top of Mountain Rock" which is a killer (ALW told Alex, "I wrote you an 11 o'clock number to start the show with" and pretty much doesn't let up from there. 

Dewey is a killer role. You have to belt the songs, run around the stage leaping and jumping off desks, and put over some funny lines while getting serious when needed. Above all he needs to be loveable

I think it's safe to say they are finding it a bit of a challenge to cast. 

[RippedMan]

I rushed the show tonight and got a box seat. I'd see the show before, so I wasn't bothered by the view. It was pretty much sold-out, which for a Tuesday in Feb. is pretty impressive. 

Eric Petersen took some getting use to. Overall: he was great in the role. But vocally, he had some more "musical theater" moments as opposed to a straight up rock sound. He was a little more low-energy than Brightman, but I felt like he made it more his own as opposed to Brightman who felt very shackled by the Jack Black characterization. 

Emily Crumer (I think?) was on for Rosalie and she nailed it. It was so nice to hear someone actually belt/sing "Where Did The Rock Go?" Wish we could have a recording of her singing it. She nailed the operatic moments, but really nailed the pop/rock sound. She was fabulous. 

Everything else felt more or less the same. The kids were all great, and the audience responded as such. 

[PThespian]

You should have told me you were coming. 

I would've loved to have met you. 

It sounds like you might have enjoyed the show, and that's good to hear. 

PS. It was Emily on tonight. Jenn Gambatese is on vacation this week. 

Emily has been on for her since the weekend and will be on again tomorrow for Will's last show. 

I am taking off from my day job to see it!

Becky Gulsvig, who usually plays Patty, is scheduled to go on for Rosalie this weekend. 

[RippedMan]

Oh nice! I would have liked to see Jenn, but Emily was wonderful! I loved her voice and her whole presence was perfection. That's how that song should be sung! 

And nice! I think I was sitting near the new understudy/standby. 

I do enjoy the show - most of the songs are a lot of fun - I just feel it gets a little "cheesy" towards the end. And some of the child actors are A LOT - like dial it back to a 5. But still a fun night out. 

[ACL2006]

I noticed that today is Will Blum's final day with the show. I wonder if it was for his replacement?

[RippedMan]

Don't have my playbill with me, but I think they had announced his replacement. 

[ClumsyDude15]

^Jonathan Wagner is replacing Will - he was the previous Dewey alternate and is really great in the role. 

I was at today's performance and Will's Dewey is just so perfect and I am sad to see him go.