Chris Hoch News

Craig Bierko, who began performances on September 17 in the role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda The Musical, has temporarily exited the show due to an injury. A show representative told NYT: 'Due to a shoulder injury which delayed his start in 'Matilda the Musical' and which has been aggravated during performance, Craig Bierko will be taking a 12-week disability leave from the production. At this time, understudies Chris Hoch and Ben Thompson will be playing Miss Trunchbull.'

Craig Bierko will begin performances tonight in the role of Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Broadway's Shubert Theatre. Bierko was originally scheduled to begin on September 3, but a minor injury caused a delay. Since Tony nominee Bertie Carvel departed on September 1, the role was played by Chris Hoch.

Due to a minor injury, Craig Bierko, who was to begin performances tonight in the role of Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA THE MUSICAL, will delay his first performance in the show.

Torrential rains beforehand, a late start, and even technical issues couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the cast SPAMALOT, which is currently playing The Muny. I brought my young son along to the show since he'd enjoyed the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, that it's based on, and I'm happy to report that he laughed at the silliness on display repeatedly. I myself have issues with this hodgepodge of scenes cobbled from the cult film, and in fact, it is the additional elements that book writer and Python member Eric Idle included, along with a couple of fresh songs he's written with frequent collaborator John Du Prez, that really stand out to me in this parody/homage. One thing's for sure, a game cast led by John O'Hurley delivered a hilarious presentation under less than ideal conditions this past Monday at the Muny.

The Muny presents John O'Hurley in the first show of its fantastic 95th Season, Monty Python's Spamalot, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. The show opened last night, June 17, and you can check out photos from the show and after party below!

Michelle Ragusa stars in The Muny's production of Monty Python's SPAMALOT as The Lady of the Lake, alongside John O'Hurley as King Arthur this summer. In these conversations with Muny Executive Producer, Mike Isaacson Michelle discusses Ragusa's hilarious and captivating character, and O'Hurley's comedic chops. Click below!

I must say that there was plenty of Disney magic in this visual extravaganza and it delighted my inner-child ever so much.

As previously announced, John O'Hurley will star as King Arthur. Also starring will be Michelle Ragusa as The Lady of the Lake, Kevin Cahoon as Historian, John Scherer as Sir Robin, David Hibbard as Patsy, Chris Hoch as Sir Lancelot, Ben Davis as Sir Dennis Galahad, and Tally Sessions as Dennis' Mother/Sir Bedevere. Joining them will be broadcast legend Bob Costas as The Voice of God.

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, today, December 11th and December 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater.

Broadway and film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young are set to star in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Robert Petkoff (Fiddler on the Roof, Ragtime), Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Robert Petkoff is joining Broadway & film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smithand book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

On Thursday, December 13, the upcoming musical stage adaptation of Richard Matheson's acclaimed novel and Universal Pictures film SOMEWHERE IN TIME will be presented at a private industry reading in midtown Manhattan.

Broadway and film star Robby Benson and Tony nominee Josh Young are set to star in the upcoming special invitational presentation of selections from the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, December 11th and 12th at Lincoln Center's Clark Studio Theater. AMAZING GRACE has been in development over the past four years and the musical had a record-breaking run at Goodpeed's Norma Terris Theatre last summer. Under the direction of Gabriel Barre, the cast will also feature Whitney Bashor (The Fantasticks, Happy Days), Chris Hoch (Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime, Memphis), and Harriett D. Foy (Mamma Mia!, Once on This Island).

Due to scheduling and transportation issues related to Hurricane Sandy, Prospect Theater Company has decide to postpone its one-night-only staged reading of Rob Urbinati's Death By Design, originally scheduled for Monday, November 5. A rescheduled date will be announced when available.

Prospect Theater Company will present a November 5, 2012 one-night-only staged reading of Rob Urbinati's original play Death By Design, a witty and wonderfully mysterious whodunit inspired by Noel Coward and Agatha Christie.

Hey readers! Today's blog should be fun. If it's not fun, I guarantee it will be informative (I don't think anyone has formally documented these two theatre phenomenons). I have to give a shout out to my pal Chris Hoch, who is always willing to debate these fringe theatre subjects in the dressing room!

Tony Award nominee Liz Larsen (The Most Happy Fella), KT Sullivan (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Chris Hoch (La Cage Aux Folles, Shrek The Musical), Michael Mastro (Twelve Angry Men), Pilin Anice (Junie B. Jones), Cicily Daniels (The Little Mermaid), Tim Falter (Some Like It Hot), Nadine Isenegger (42nd Street), Matthew Labanca (Young Frankenstein), Drama Desk Award nominee Garrett Long (South Pacific, The Spitfire Grill), Kristin Maloney (The Talk of the Town), Brent McBeth (White Christmas), Jim Middleton (Goodspeed's 1776), Kevin Vortmann(A Little Night Music) and Tiffany Westlie (The Truth About Jane) have joined the cast of UnsungMusicalsCo.'s benefit concert presentation of the legendary 1935 musical revue At Home Abroad, set for tonight, October 15, 2012. Get a first look at the stars in rehearsal below!