Andy Karl leaving Drood??

[shrekster224]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 6:12pm

Apparently Drood is looking for a replacement for Neville Landless. Anyone know why Andy may be leaving and if this is also another indicator of an extension?

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 6:18pm

I've heard rumors about this too. I hope it turns out not to be true.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 6:20pm

I hope so too, but there were/(are upcoming) auditions and if they are not looking for a big name, why not just give it to Eric Sciotto and find a replacement ensemble member? I know of course they would have to hold understudy rehearsals for a new cover, but they already have to continually rehearse the understudies as it is.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 6:21pm

Because, I imagine, they think Eric Sciotto is a lot more useful as a dancer and as a cover for two roles. If they replaced him, his replacement would need to learn both his understudy tracks in addition to his ensemble role. That's a lot more teaching than just one track.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 6:22pm

Jeremy Kushnier is leaving Jersey Boys soon. Is Andy going back to that? That seems a little strange, going back to replace (again) in a long-running show after originating in a revival, but it popped into my head.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 6:25pm

Possibly. I know he's also attached to Rocky...any chance that's coming in sooner than expected for some reason?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 7:42pm

I haven't heard a thing about this, but if Jersey Boys has offered him a spot, he'd be a fool to say no. It will pay better, no question, and will run longer. It's a no-brainer. If it has to do with Rocky, that, too, is an obvious choice. It's a new piece, will involve pay for rehearsal, etc, and the show's run. Drood, unfortunately, seems to be a dead end.

"Because, I imagine, they think Eric Sciotto is a lot more useful as a dancer and as a cover for two roles. If they replaced him, his replacement would need to learn both his understudy tracks in addition to his ensemble role. That's a lot more teaching than just one track."

Probably correct. Jim Borstalman had this issue with The Producers. He was for a time the replacement for Franz, was in fact reviewed and well-received as Franz in the first cast turn over, but went back to the lesser role he originated, Roger's choreographer, because he was too valuable and understudy for Franz and Roger.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 7:44pm

Eric Sciotto is so talented. I'd love to see him in a lead.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 7:45pm

Agree about Sciotto. I heard he has gone on for Karl. I would have loved to have seen that.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 7:50pm

I would have liked to see him go on as Pal Joey.

[bestfreakinshoes]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 9:09pm

I would be really surprised if he went back to Jersey Boys. I thought he was great as Tommy, and I don't want to speak for Andy, but it always seems like he's looking for new opportunities as an actor.

Maybe Roundabout was considering a possible extension to/through June and he already had a prior commitment (to Rocky or whatever else.)

Updated On: 1/11/13 at 09:09 PM

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 9:34pm

I think a further extension is completely out of the question at this point. The show is simply not doing well enough to warrant it, by Roundabout standards. Anyway, as far as I can tell, this is only a rumor as of yet. I've only seen/heard about it here.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 10:12pm

Another vote for Eric Sciotto.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 10:29pm

I vote for Sciotto, too. I was able to see him on for Neville back in mid-December. Loved him. Just as good as Andy (who I saw earlier this month). Also, even though this may not happen, I would love an extension. But sadly i don't think Drood is doing well enough. But who knows.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 10:31pm

If Andy is in fact leaving, I would love Eric Sciotto to be the replacement. Couldn't be a more talented or nicer guy, but I think it's unlikely for the reasons stated earlier in the thread.

But I also want to point out that I have yet to hear anything concrete enough to convince me that Andy is leaving at all.

Updated On: 1/11/13 at 10:31 PM

[abbagirl]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 11:19pm

I just spoke to Eric (Sciotto), he's not going on for Neville this weekend, and Andy is in fact performing...

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/11/13 at 11:22pm

Really? Andy Karl just said in an interview recently that he would be taking the weekend off because of his wedding anniversary. Guess plans changed.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 12:03am

just curious, but considering that the show's been running since October and they only have two swings(1 male, 1 female); what happens if two male(or two female) cast members are out?? I'm surprised they haven't added additional swings by now.

also, regarding Sciotto; during his time in A Chorus Line as a swing ended up covering 9 out of the 10 possible roles during his time with the show. The roles Sciotto covered during his time were: Paul, Al, Mark, Mike(first stint), Paul, Don, Larry, Richie(second stint), Bobby, Don, Larry, Greg(third stint, through closing). Sciotto never covered Zach.

Updated On: 1/12/13 at 12:03 AM

[notzach2]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 1:08am

I'm not sure what would happen if two people of the same gender in larger roles called out, but Kyle Coffman's first full show as Deputy back in December, Nicholas Barasch was obviously out, as was Spencer Plachy. They put Justin in Kyle's section for the voting purposes (poor Alison had the task of tallying votes for the ENTIRE rear mezzanine), and then had him mostly cover Spencer's track. Kyle would frequently be onstage in his Deputy costume (minus the jacket) in his track, but in times when Spencer, Kyle, and Deputy need to be onstage (Off to the Races, Don't Quit While You're Ahead, An English Music Hall) they simply didn't have someone in Kyle's track.

My guess is there would be similar cuts if two of the leads called out.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 10:45am

"I'm surprised they haven't added additional swings by now."

I'm sure if there was another extension, they probably would, but at this point there's no reason to.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 2:51pm

Can someone deny this so we can move on?

[notzach2]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 8:28pm

I have a friend who works at Jersey Boys who told me today if Andy were going back to Jersey Boys, it wouldn't be until sometime in March because that's when Jeremy Kushnier's six months is up.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 9:15am

As much as I understand the money aspect and that something like JB would be a more long-term gig, I hope he stays in Drood. It's one of the most well-cast shows in recent memory and it'd be very sad for them to lose two of their stars early.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 11:33am

March? Jeremy is leaving before that.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 1/14/13 at 9:48am

I just find it hard to believe that with the show closing in less than two months, this is going to happen. I mean, what happened with Betsy and The Last 5 Years has been in the works for months.