Hoff Withdraws from PAL JOEY, Risch Takes Over

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:32pm

In one of those star-making stories, relative-newcomer Matthew Risch has permanently assumed the role of Joey Evans in Roundabout's revival of PAL JOEY. He takes over for Christian Hoff, who has withdrawn from the production after injury.

YES, the reason for his departure IS the injury.

Opening has been moved to Dec. 18.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123636.html

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 04:32 PM

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:33pm

How hot is he???
I may have to make time to see this again in the first week of Dec and extend my trip yet again!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:36pm

So I'm guessing Hoff's injury was more serious than they originally thought? Get well soon, and good luck to Risch!

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:36pm

How did it go from Hoff needing two days of rest of his foot to being replaced?

That is so disappointing! I cannot believe they are not trying to put someone else in their at the last minute. This must be really angering to a lot of subscribers

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:38pm

Uh...they did put someone else in at the last minute. His name is Matthew Risch.

If you're implying that he's a nobody, I respectfully submit the name of the previous Joey, Christian Hoff.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:38pm

Hey, Gene Kelly was not exactly a household name when he played Joey. Or Harold Lang for that matter.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:40pm

When Matthew's finished taking over Pal Joey, I have another role he can assume.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:41pm

"That is so disappointing! I cannot believe they are not trying to put someone else in their at the last minute. This must be really angering to a lot of subscribers."

What are you talking about? They are replacing him with someone. If you are implying that he is unknown, then wtf...? Christian Hoff isn't exactly a household name. But who cares if they get a household name to fulfill this role?

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:41pm

Didn't someone on here say that this is the same thing that happened to another Broadway revival of Pal Joey, with mediocre results?

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 04:41 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:44pm

Yeah, and I would say that subpar productions and incessant phone calls begging for $$ would be the #1 and 2 things that piss Roundabout subscribers off. Hmm.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:46pm

I feel so lucky to have seen one of the nine previews that Christian played...

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:48pm

Sounds like Cheyenne Jackson Version 2.0.....and that's not a bad thing!

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:48pm

Christian Hoff is a big star compared to Matt Risch! Don't even compare the two. Hoff has a tony award and has just come off being in one of the biggest hits of the past 5 years.

I know of at least 5 different middle aged women who are hardcore Jersey Boys fans who bought tickets to Pal Joey purely because Christian Hoff was starring in it. He may not have packed them in for an open ended commerical production but for a limited run for a rounabout production Hoff was most certainly part of the draw. Not the only draw but part of it.


Updated On: 11/24/08 at 04:48 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:49pm

And I know a bunch of people who bought tickets to see it because it's PAL JOEY. The point is moot. Nobody cares who's in it. Roundabout subscribers don't subscribe for the actors.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:51pm

Who says those middle-aged ladies who bought tickets to see Christian Hoff won't fall in love with Matthew Risch?

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:52pm

NO, you don't care whose in it. I think a lot of people do care. Myself included. This is a let down for some people. Maybe not you but for others.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:54pm

Whatever the reason for Hoff's departure from the show, it may be providential for him that it happened. Hoff's performance has been criticized from the get-go, and if it's as unsatisfactory as many have claimed, it's just as well that he didn't do the opening night where he might have been publicly lambasted by the critics, probably doing his career considerable harm. I've never seen the understudy -- never even heard of him before all this happened -- but I'm at least going to it with higher expectations than before.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:54pm

So, sell your tickets on Craig's List and be done with it.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:54pm

In about 1976 Edward Villela (Yes, THE Edward Villela) played one preview as Joey and quit saying he was not comfortable singing. He was replaced with his understudy, Christopher Chadman.

After the fourth preview Eleanor Parker playing Vera also quit and she was replaced with her understudy, a well-thought-of working actress named Joan Copeland (who happens to be Arthur Miller's sister).

Both replacements were fine in spite of not being quite right for their roles. The production was the problem and it played a subscription run to quarter houses during the week.

Tony winner Janie Sell, Joe Sirola (a great character actor) and Dixie Carter as Melba rounded out the cast.

[How do you spell Villela? Villella? Vilela? I haven't a clue.]

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 4:54pm

I saw the show on its 4th preview and it doesn't need a star name. Stockard Channing carries it with her name alone.
Its a wonderful production of a wonderful old show that i hope we get in London soon- we gave Roundabout 'Sunday/ George' so now give us 'Joey' when your done- please! lol
I hope the replacement does really well and good luck to Hoff for a speedy recovery.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 5:03pm

"Hoff has a tony award and has just come off being in one of the biggest hits of the past 5 years.

I know of at least 5 different middle aged women who are hardcore Jersey Boys fans who bought tickets to Pal Joey purely because Christian Hoff was starring in it. He may not have packed them in for an open ended commerical production but for a limited run for a rounabout production Hoff was most certainly part of the draw. Not the only draw but part of it."

Noel&Cole, key words there are "HARDCORE Jersey Boys fans." So obviously they would know who Christian Hoff is. Aside from HARDCORE fans and Broadway fanatics, not many people know who he is. I have a feeling for this one, the people who bought it simply because it is PAL JOEY (or because they wanted to see a good show) outnumber hardcore Christian Hoff fans. And just because you win a Tony Award in a hit show doesn't automatically make you well-known among the general public. I doubt many people are going to walk away disappointed based on the fact Risch is replacing Hoff.

Besides, I would think the most recognizable person in this cast to the general public is Stockard Channing, who has extensive TV and movie credits.


EDIT: And you are right, there are going to be some people who are disappointed. But not enough to seriously hurt ticket sales or having many people demand refunds. In general, people won't really care.

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 05:03 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 5:09pm

Matt Risch deserves to be a star!

I am so happy for him.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 5:15pm

Headlining/starring in a Broadway revival/musical/show does NOT make a star, unfortunately.

Not by the stretch of any imagination.

Posted: 11/24/08 at 5:16pm

From the early buzz I'd guess that if Hoff hadn't injured himself someone would have done it to him. Risch is a hottie- I don't think the matinee ladies will be too devastated.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 5:17pm

Exactly, BrodyFosse123...I am a huge Sutton fan, but not a lot of people I know have the slightest clue who she is (or even care).