The term "star" is relative, especially in as contained a community as New York theatre.
Sutton Foster won a Tony Award after the star of the show she was in got injured. She was bumped up from chorus girl to Tony winner.
And she is now creating her fifth role in a row on Broadway.
Not many Broadway actors can say that.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Who says Harold Lang wasn't a name before the first PJ revival?
"Look Ma, I'm Dancin'" and "Kiss Me, Kate," anyone?
And I think that Sutton Foster is definitely a stage star, though her reputation is suffering from her inability to always be in as good a show as her star-making show. (That's very hard to do, people.)
As for Matt Risch, I plan to enjoy his performance very much when I see PJ in January. As much as I enjoyed Christian Hoff in JB.
Sutton Foster went on for Millie because Erin Dilly was fired, not due to an injury.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
Pal Joey, you will NOT be seeing the perfect Pal Joey. Unless a miracle happens tomorrow night, you will be left dismayed by Mr. Risch's complete lack of charm, acting ability and vocal talent. I'm not one to tear young talent to bits. You all know how much I've loved people like Erin Davie, Paulo Szot, Leigh Ann Larkin and so on in their first major stage roles. Mr. Risch is just awful in ths role. I'm sorry. And if he were a pretty blonde like Davie and Larkin, my opinion would not differ. He just is not any good.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Sorry Yankeefan, but people do subscribe because of the actors, as well as the productions. The disclaimer for the theatres is that they are replacing the actor, therefore, they do not need to refund since the actor is not above title. It stinks for some who bought tickets just to see Hoff, but there's nothing you can do about it except exchange them for another show.
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
PalJoey - Did I miss the notice that some died and made you the boss? Are you old enough to have seen Gene Kelly and Harold Lang play the role? I am not. On the other hand, I do know if a role is good, there are many ways to play it.
Tomorrow night I will see this young hoofer Matthew Risch play the role for which I was named, he who is worshiped by the Little Girls Who So Loveth Legally Blonde The Musical and the Little Boys Who Crowd Together and Sacrifice Singles at Broadway Bares, he with his Peter Gallagher-like unibrow and the thick dark spectacles.
I will say if he is the savior who has been awaited by all those who worship Rodgers and Hart and O'Hara and Abbott and whether or not we should revere or revile Greenberg and Mantello.
As a Roundabout subscriber, I don't care who is playing Joey, so long as he's good in the part. And while I usually enjoy the casting at Roundabout productions, I don't renew based on who's been cast in what show. Given Roundabout's track record in changing shows from their announced schedule, you CAN'T renew based on the expectation of a certain actor.
I see the show the day after the new opening night and I'm very much looking forward to it.
Anyone think they'll let Matt have a longer bio? They put up his picture on the website, but still just have his ensemble bio included. It looks very depressing compared to Stockard Channing and Martha Plimpton's bios.