Rehearsal Injury Delays Christopher Sieber's Bow in Broadway's Matilda The Musical

[EponineThenardier]

Yikes, 2nd actor injury during rehearsals for this role. Can't wait to hear how he does once he's up and running.



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[dreaming]

Not again. This role is cursed I tell you.

[EponineThenardier]

I haven't seen the show, is there a particular part that seems to be causing the injuries?

[Mattbrain]

Awww Christ, not another one…I hope this isn't Craig Bierko all over again.

[Steve721]

"I haven't seen the show, is there a particular part that seems to be causing the injuries?"

There's a fair amount of physical stuff for Miss Trunchbull to do, including, as I remember it, doing some sort of back flip off of a pommell horse.

[Freckles1329]

The part is very physical, from swinging a child around by her pigtails to doing a forward flip over a pommel horse. And then active choreography during the two main Trunchbull numbers. He could've injured himself doing any of those parts.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Whenever I read anything about this role, it always makes me sad to think Bertie never got his Tony for creating such a wonderfully monstrous character... Why oh why didn't they put him in featured. He would have been a better, more worthy winner as opposed to Ebert!

[tazber]

^^^^^

I had the same thought when I saw this thread.

[newintown]

I don't think it's a full flip over the pommel horse, merely a long dive into a somersault. Maybe the padding offers extra difficulties for that stuntlet.

Still, the understudies and Carvel seemed to have no problems with the physicality; I wonder why those two aged queens couldn't keep from hurting themselves in rehearsals? Maybe they need to audition younger, less chunky actors? (written tongue in cheek, with sympathy for both Sieber and Bierko [who I think is simply terrible anyway]).

[SonofRobbieJ]

I saw the show in London in April '12 with Bertie Carvel still in a Trunchbull. As soon as I saw that flying somersault over the pommel horse, I thought, 'Oh girl...that's gonna cause some problems for people.'

[amoni]

If you listen real closely, in the distance, you can hear the Green Goblin laughing his ass off.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Where's Raul Esparza when you need him?

[KathyNYC2]

I know primarily Chris Hoch and Ben were both doing the role previously ...is Chris still there?

[Freckles1329]

Chris Hoch's last show is Sunday. Ben Thompson is taking over during the 3 week delay.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

So, can we all agree that the role of Miss Trunchbull is cursed? :p

And agreed with Bertie being nominated instead of Gabriel. I do feel terrible that he didn't get anything of his perfect performance. And it was really stupid, ballsy (Sorry if that's inappropriate) moves from the producers to have Carvel get Best Leading Actor and Ebert get Best Featured Actor. There was no way that Bertie could beat Billy Porter who also deserved the Tony, and Gabriel and the producers are lucky that Gabriel beat veteran Terrence Mann, who had a lot of praise and Tony nominations in a probrably-tight race . They could have easily lose a Tony win for Best Featured Actor if Mann won instead.

[neonlightsxo]

Sad for Sieber but so glad that Ben gets this opportunity!

[KathyNYC2]

^^Thanks. So far, I have seen all four (Bertie, Craig, Chris H, and Ben) and I was looking forward to seeing Chris S as the fifth. I guess I'll have to wait.

Cursed? Not sure about that because a lot do just fine....but it is a harder role physically than one would initially think it seems.

[Steve721]

No one will ever replace Carvel in that role. I also saw Beirko, and he was OK, but the way Carvel delivered the lines in that snarling Olivier-like voice was to die for.

[KathyNYC2]

Chris Hoch was also amazing in my opinion..and Ben was very good as well. I didn't hate Craig but he was definitely my least favorite.

[mgldan]

Has Chris Hoch already played his last performance? Ben Thompson played Trunchbull at the Saturday evening performance (yesterday).

Also, yesterday was Jared Parker's last performance, as announced by Lesli at the curtain.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Sounds like this could end up like Craig Bierko...


Christopher Sieber Delays MATILDA Debut Again Following Injury; Will Join Cast 'Later This Month'

[KathyNYC2]

I hope things go well for him.

In the meantime, I assume that Ben is continuing and he is doing a great job with the role. I saw him a second time a few weeks ago and he was even better than the first time. He seems to be really enjoying the part...and it shows.

[KathyNYC2]

So Ben Thompson has tweeted it's his last performance as the Trunch tonight (4/17). Does anyone know if that means Chris is ready to join Matilda?

[HighFlyingAdored97]

Someone on Tumblr said they saw Sieber walk into the Shubert today and that he will most likely begin performing shortly.

[VotePeron]

Ben Thompson tweeted on Sunday that he had five performances as Trunch remaining, which would lead to the conclusion Sieber will begin performances tomorrow, Friday 4/18!! I'm seeing it next Thursday and can't wait to see him! Glad I've gotten to see Ben 3 times though, he's excellent in the part!