Jordan Fisher—DEH- Page 4

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 1/19/20 at 8:47am

Miles2Go2 said: "@MollyJeanneMusic - Maybe it is stunt casting. Maybe it’s not. He has bonafide Broadway experience. It’s not like the stunt casting happening over in Mean Girls. I’m not aware enough of now broad his appeal is. I do find the idea of him in this intriguing as I’ve never got to see him perform live, but I told myself after seeing it again (first time with Ben Zpkatt) with Andrew, that I wouldn’t see it again on Broadway. No one is likely to come closer to holding a candle to Platt’s performance, in my book. But I live to be proven wrong. If the reports/reviews are unanimous that Fisher is great as Evan, I may have to reconsider.

As far as measuring whether a show is using stunt casting by whether your classmates know who they are, I know you said it’s not exact, but if Lin Manuel Miranda was cast in a show or Ben Platt, would you consider that stunt casting. Although both have some name recognition, they also both have legitimate reasons to be cast in a show based on their past theatrical experience.

"

That's true.  That's why I called it a litmus test - it's not always accurate, but it's a good place to start.  It's definitely not like what's going on at Mean Girls. 

[bdn223]

Posted: 1/19/20 at 12:21pm

MollyJeanneMusic said: "Miles2Go2 said: "@MollyJeanneMusic - Maybe it is stunt casting. Maybe it’s not. He has bonafide Broadway experience. It’s not like the stunt casting happening over in Mean Girls. I’m not aware enough of now broad his appeal is. I do find the idea of him in this intriguing as I’ve never got to see him perform live, but I told myself after seeing it again (first time with Ben Zpkatt) with Andrew, that I wouldn’t see it again on Broadway. No one is likely to come closer to holding a candle to Platt’s performance, in my book. But I live to be proven wrong. If the reports/reviews are unanimous that Fisher is great as Evan, I may have to reconsider.

As far as measuring whether a show is using stunt casting by whether your classmates know who they are, I know you said it’s not exact, but if Lin Manuel Miranda was cast in a show or Ben Platt, would you consider that stunt casting. Although both have some name recognition, they also both have legitimate reasons to be cast in a show based on their past theatrical experience.

"

That's true. That's why I called it a litmus test - it's not always accurate, but it's a good place to start. It's definitely not like what's going on at Mean Girls."

If Miranda or Platt were brought in at the beginning of the 4th year of a Broadway run I would, especially if sales were starting to sag. No this isn’t stunt casting along the lines of Chicago or now Mean Girls, but it is in line with Hairspray and Waitress. 
 

I’d say the difference for Ciara Renée is that she is primarily known as a stage actress, and has continually done theater between tv gigs, none of which were high profile.  Add to that her run is not limited, and no end date has been mentioned in her casting announcement. 

[myk]

Posted: 1/19/20 at 2:55pm

I have to wonder why people have their knickers in bunch over this casting. Stunt casting, not stunt casting, isn’t the important thing how good they are? Reba in Annie Get Your Gun was stunt casting and she was a revelation. We now have a Real housewife in Chicago... If you’re going to worry, there’s where I’d focus.

[squip]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 11:54am

Tonight is Jordan Fisher's first performance! Anybody going?

[orph3us]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 8:02pm

Is anyone there tonight? Anxiously awaiting reports.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 8:59pm

I’m hoping to see it Sunday through rush/lotto (mainly going for Jessica Phillips but I’m sure Fisher will give a nice performance).

[mikey2573]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 9:10pm

MollyJeanneMusic said: "Has there ever been an occasion, besides a gender-swap like Patina Miller in Pippin, where a key was brought up for an actor?"

Yes.  When Howard McGillan (sp?) took over the role of Uncle Archie in the original Broadway run of THE SECRET GARDEN (replacing Mandy Patinkin) his songs were brought up to accommodate his voice. 

[mikey2573]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 9:28pm

Honestly, I had no idea who Jordan Fisher was when I first heard he would be the new Evan.  But I did think the following when I saw him: 

1. He seems too old fro the part.  I know he is about the same age as Platt was, but it seems to me that the production has been casting the role younger, though I could be wrong.  Still, I think on stage he could work.

2.  He's too pretty.  The styling hair and his overall good looks do not scream "Evan Hansen".  I think that is something else he might need to overcome.  Hopefully he is a good enough actor to overcome his attractiveness.  

3.  He's too cool.  He comes across as the popular kid in school.  Hopefully he is a good enough actor to overcome his "coolness". 

The last time I saw the show I got stuck with Zachary Noah-Piser.....and he was absolutely AMAZING! What an incredible performance that was! Hopefully, Fisher can rise to the occasion! I have my fingers crossed and wish him the best. 

And, speaking of "Stunt Casting", how's this.  As Jared, "Stranger Things" star Gaten Matarazzo. (Oddly enough, the current Broadway Jared --Jared Goldsmith -- is the spitting image of Matarazzo...they could be twins!)  And as his Evan?  Joshua Colley.  Both boys shared the role of Gavroche in the last LES MIZ revival.  Both have real Broadway experience and cred.  And both are incredibly talented. (Colley's singing  voice is breathtaking.) Not only that, they are both age-appropriate! Now THAT would be stunt casting I wouldn't mind.

Updated On: 1/28/20 at 09:28 PM

[darreyl102]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 10:25pm

I don't understand why people always say a certain actor looks" too cool" to play a part, if you're a good enough actor you can play cool, nerdy, young, old,or anything in between. Acting, makeup, and costume all play a part. We've seen actors do it all the time on stage, film, TV-they transform into different characters. That said, Jordan's never blew me away with his acting abilities. Lol

As Shirley bassey would say "does he have the range?"

Updated On: 1/29/20 at 10:25 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/28/20 at 11:00pm

Fisher is a baritone and the role calls for a tenor. Unless they transpose his music, Fisher could be ruining his voice in this role.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 5:16am

They change keys for shows all the time, akthough no idea if they have.

I still don't get the "he's too attractive" thing either. I see gads of awkward kids that are attractive. Its his behaviors that keep him from fitting in, not his looks. Physical beaury is not an automatic "in". Evan is plagued with social problems that KEEP him from being able to connect.

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 9:14am

Yes there are awkward kids who are attractive but most likely a small percentage (at least that was the case in my high school.) 

[Zion24]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 9:56am

dramamama611 said: "They change keys for shows all the time, akthough no idea if they have.

I still don't get the "he's too attractive" thing either. I see gads of awkward kids that are attractive. Its his behaviors that keep him from fitting in, not his looks. Physical beaury is not an automatic "in". Evan is plagued with social problems that KEEP him from being able to connect."

thank you. im surprised by how many people have taken this position GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE CANT BE NERDY GEEKY LOSERS on these boards. Yes if they had Jonathan Groff or Jordan Fisher dressed in tight clothes with stylized hair, it wouldnt work. But physically attractive kids/people often have anxiety issues, skin problems, athletic shortcomings, etc. etc. that make it hard for them to fit in, get the girl, win prom king, whatever the case may be. That Jordan Fisher happens to be goodlooking underneath the mannerisms that made Evan who he is seems to me to be wholly irrelevant if he is, you know, acting. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 10:22am

Additionally, people tend to see those types of kids AS unattractive, because of their behaviors.   I see it ALL the time. 

 

[KimBirdie]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 11:03am

Respectfully (and thoughtfully) disagree. And after lurking for over a year, I made an account because I feel I finally have something to add to the conversations here. Please be patient.

First, I've seen the show on Bway and on the road, and I've seen different Evans. I was looking forward to seeing Andrew (never saw him), but got the final week schedule wrong when I planned my drive into the city, and ended up seeing Jordan's first night.

I've followed lots of conversation on the board and agree that every audience member who has paid for their tickets should see the best show possible and I believe every performance should be at 100% for those paying people. But from this board I've learned that some performers will only get one full rehearsal with the orchestra/band before going on, so I now usually won't see a first performance out of respect for those actors who only get one full rehearsal with everyone. I now usually wait a week to see someone new that I really want to see, but that didn't happen this time.

Jordan Fisher was wonderful. The show felt intimate. I have no other words to describe that feeling of being well-rehearsed and not stage-y. There was some lovely subtlety to the choices that some seasoned Evans didn't have. As far as I could tell, no keys were changed, and he had zero issues hitting notes and sounded incredibly fluid. I cried. I always cry. But it was a moving performance.

The idea that he was "too cool" to be Evan never crossed my mind. I thought that several of the Evans I saw were good-looking, and the idea that they might look nice has never played into my feelings about Evan as an outsider.His performance certainly played into the idea of someone who suffers and is suffering, and is deeply troubled by his connection to the world around him. I remember what that felt like from high school and I think that's why I'm drawn to this show.

If you're already a fan of the show, I think you tend to see the different performances and ask "how is this person making the role their own?" and it is pretty clear that Jordan Fisher is fully capable of tackling this role. His Evan was certainly one that I was talking about on the drive home last night and for the good.

Since I'm now posting (I still can't believe I'm finally jumping in), I'll address one other thing from earlier posters. I don't think this is stunt casting. I didn't know much about him until I realized that I'd be seeing him and not Andrew this week.  I googled him and he's done Dancing with the Stars, theater, and a ton of television and film work.

My opinion is ifsomeone wants to send me again, I'd see him again! And I think that's the best thing to say about a performer.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 11:56am

Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed the show, and that you enjoyed Jordan's performance. 

How was Connor Murphy? Alex just left the cast too and I thought he was excellent as Connor. It's a shame you didn't see Andrew's performance... it was truly something special imho. I'm kinda kicking myself for not getting back up to NYC to see it again! 

 

 

[DinaW]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 12:13pm

mikey2573 said: "MollyJeanneMusic said: "Has there ever been an occasion, besides a gender-swap like Patina Miller in Pippin, where a key was brought up for an actor?"

Yes. When Howard McGillan (sp?) took over the role of Uncle Archie in the original Broadway run of THE SECRET GARDEN (replacing Mandy Patinkin) his songs were brought up to accommodate his voice."

If I'm not mistaken, when Timothy Hughes went on for Hades in December, his songs were also brought up a key or so.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 12:13pm

Why are we acting like the original Evan isn’t a hot as heck gay man? It doesn’t matter what you look like, it’s how you perform that transforms you into the character.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 12:49pm

Cause some of us don’t think he is. Opinions.

[bdn223]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 1:17pm

Luminaire2 said: "Why are we acting like the original Evan isn’t a hot as heck gay man? It doesn’t matter what you look like, it’s how you perform that transforms you into the character. "

Because he isn’t traditionally good looking which is why he was cast as Elder Cunningham in Book of Mormon, and Benji in Pitch Perfect. No matter how you slice it Jordan Fisher has classically handsome good looks. 

Just to add to this Jordan Fisher is the romantic/rival love interest in the upcoming high profile romantic comedy sequel to To All the Boys I loved Before. Unless an Evan has a major glow up, he should never be cast as a traditional romantic lead. The crux of the plot of why Evan maintains the lie is because he doesn’t believe that Zoe would of ever looked at him in a romantic way if she knew the truth, since she is supposedly the hottest girl in school. Thus its hard to believe that someone as handsome/sexy as Jordan Fisher, even if you give him an ill fitted polo, arm cast, and an anxiety disorder would never be the object of lust for Zoe. Even his official Evan photo gives of a cool vibe. 

Updated On: 1/29/20 at 01:17 PM

[orph3us]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 3:05pm

I think it's unfair to judge how effective somebody is in a role if you haven't seen. Yes, he is a beautiful man, but I don't think it affects his performance. Maybe his Evan thought Zoe would never like him purely because he's black and that is why he maintains the lie. Or maybe we can just suspend disbelief. Either way I wish him the best of luck and it's incredible that all the young black kids who see the show will be able to see themselves represented as the lead in one of the hottest Broadway shows. Also, when are we going to get a black Heidi? Can somebody call Renee Elise Goldsburry?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 3:18pm

I think it’s more of a comment on casting and not on Fisher’s abilities. He’s crazy talented! Just don’t think he fits the part on paper.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 1/29/20 at 4:26pm

hicaesar said: "Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoyed the show, and that you enjoyed Jordan's performance.

How was Connor Murphy? Alex just left the cast too and I thought he was excellent as Connor. It's a shame you didn't see Andrew's performance... it was truly something special imho. I'm kinda kicking myself for not getting back up to NYC to see it again!"

Didn't see Jordan, but I have seen Dan Macke as Connor (he understudied when I saw the show this summer) and thought he was great.  He doesn't have the traditional Connor "look" (he also covered Evan and Jared) but I got over that pretty quickly and he really won me over.  His acting was great and he has a strong voice.  I'm excited to see him get the opportunity to play the role full time and I'm sure his performance has only gotten deeper since (I saw his Connor debut).

Also seconding how amazing Andrew's performance was.  So real and raw and so much talent for someone so young.  Truly a performance for the ages, anyone who had the opportunity to see him should count themselves very lucky.  I am excited to see where he goes from here!

 

[OceansJenny]

Posted: 1/30/20 at 1:01am

Went with a group tonight, all seeing the show for the first time. Everyone was blown away by Jordan, and were shocked to hear this was only his second night in the role. Very well received by everyone.

Is he doing 6 or 8 shows a week? His performance was great but didn’t seem to warrant inability to do twice a day. I am now curious to see what Ben Platt’s portrayal looked like.

I disagree with the attractiveness argument. He comes across as plenty unappealing even if considered classically attractive.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/30/20 at 3:27am

Who ever said Zoe is "the hottest girl in school"? NONE of the casting agrees with - shes very girl-next-door. Isnt that just his perception? I never got the vibe she was "all that".

(And maybe I totally missed something)