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

[slumdogdelaware]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-Meet-Your-New-Substitute-Teacher-SCHOOL-OF-ROCKs-Eric-Petersen-20161014

[10086sunset]

Kinda surprised one of the understudies didn't get the role...

[ebontoyan]

The show need some sort of star to keep going!

[PThespian]

Oh yes. We are all very worried at the Winter Garden. 

Over $1M last week and so far we've been at SRO every show this week. 

I'm cleaning out my locker tomorrow. 

What the show needs to keep running is people who enjoy a fun, entertaining night out at the theater.

I can assure the show is NOT a star vehicle. I venture to say about 95% of the audience have no idea who Alex Brightman is. Usually they think they are seeing him when, in fact, it's Will Blum.

Plus if I had a nickel for every time I've been asked if Alex is related to Sarah Brightman I'd be able to quit my day job!

[LizzieCurry]

Have you ever been tempted to say he's her son?

 

While I had hoped Will Blum would be full-time at some point, at least this means we'll still get three full-throttle shows a week out of him, and I'm super happy about that!

[ClumsyDude15]

I definitely was hoping Will would get promoted to full time (and rightfully so given his fantastic performance), but I am glad to see Eric making his return to Broadway. Between Eric and Will, this show is in wonderful hands with either leading man. 

[Scarywarhol]

Each performer will have fans, individual strengths, etc. Doesn't really matter who's doing it. This is an ALW automaton show nearly as much as Cats is. 

[RippedMan]

We get it PThesbian. You work on the show and love it. No need to go to bat every time. 

I guess i will be returning to the Winter Garden. Curious to see it with Jen too, as I think she's a better fit vocally. 

[VotePeron]

Such a shame Will didn't get it, his performance is spectacular. Alex's last performance will probably be a blast, I'm going to try and attend. I wonder if he'll sing the high notes again? 

[everythingtaboo]

How is first row in this theatre? Just occurred to me I've never been that close to the stage here. Is it fun for SOR?

[PThespian]

RippedMan said: "We get it PThesbian. You work on the show and love it. No need to go to bat every time. 

I guess i will be returning to the Winter Garden. Curious to see it with Jen too, as I think she's a better fit vocally. 

 

There might not be a need to, but I will. Sorry RM. 

"
How about this for a plan? I'll post what I want, and you post what you want. 

Then, if you don't like what I'm posting you go ahead and block me. 

Sound good?
 

[LizzieCurry]

everythingtaboo said: "How is first row in this theatre? Just occurred to me I've never been that close to the stage here. Is it fun for SOR?"

The one time I've seen the show, I was in front-row rush seats, and they're very good and not too high. I can't remember any neck pain or missing any key scenes.

[LesWickedly]

Has anyone seen him in it recently? The performance on Thanksgiving day wasn't very good, but apparently he was sick. It would be the only show I could fit in just before leaving for JFK on a Sunday. Or does Will Blum usually do Sunday matinees? Thanks!

[PThespian]

Will Blum does the Sun matinees. 

He had only been in the show for two weeks when they filmed the Thanksgiving day clip. People sometimes need time to settle in into a role. 

[RippedMan]

I don't buy that as an excuse. 

[PThespian]

Oh Ripped. I was waiting for it!

I swear I love you more than my new luggage, and it's the good kind with a strap and wheels!

It wasn't an excuse. It was a statement you silly. 

However your perception of it as being an excuse, and subsequent rejection thereof, is duly noted. 

[Adair Haywind]

How is Eric in the role? I saw him in the Shrek tour years ago and thought he was excellent, but Dewey is a very different role both vocally and physically.

[ajh]

Did Will Blum not want the role full time? I saw him early on in his Broadway run and thought he was sensational on every level, no mean feat given that I was humongously disappointed when I got to the Winter Garden and saw that Alex was off.

On a side note, saw the London cast recently and was surprised how underpowered they felt compared to the NYC team. David Fynn's Dewey is lovable for sure but not crazy or manic enough, plus not as strong a voice as one would have hoped. The big improvement for London is Florence Andrews as Rosalie. Her "Where Did The Rock Go" is glorious and wiped the floor with Sierra.

 

[PThespian]

My PM is working. ??

[ClumsyDude15]

^I just PMed you a question, PT. 

[PThespian]

Got it. 

[A1st]

Is Eric leaving soon? Just saw this casting notice:

http://www.backstage.com/news/casting/now-casting-open-call-school-rock-bway-and-more/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Casting%20Posts

[ACL2006]

it could be for the alternate, too. Is the show touring this Fall?

[PThespian]

Hmmmmmm. Very interesting. This calls for some investigation. 

It can't be for the alternate. Jonathan Wagner comes back next week and has a three month contract, so the person's first performance wouldn't be in March. 

 

[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.