All is not entirely bleak on the Broadway front. The Roundabout's production of the classic Pal Joey has extended its run at Studio 54 by two weeks. Grosses for the show have been thoroughly decent, if not overwhelming, and the advance must be relatively solid--else why extend?
This revised version of Pal Joey, with a new book by Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, The American Plan), opened in December to mixed reviews after losing leading man and Tony Award winner Christian Hoff to a reputed wounded foot.
The actual story seems a bit more complicated. According to Michael Riedel of the New York Post, various production sources weren't thrilled with Hoff's performance. Other reports have intimated that Hoff may have been too old for the part (he's 40), and that choreographer Graciela Daniele may not have been happy with Hoff's hoofing.
The loss of Hoff makes me far less excited about seeing the show; he was simply sensational in Jersey Boys, and Joey seemed like a role tailor-made for his talents. But I'm always up for some Stockard Channing, and Martha Plimpton is apparently making quite the sensation in her Broadway musical debut. I'll be seeing the show on February 7th. Look for my review here shortly thereafter.
I was at the show the night Hoff "hurt his foot" and I didn't see any indication of it. Of course, it may not have been obvious, but well. Just saying that it seems weird to replace him permanently if it *wasn't* that major an injury.
He was okay in the role. Nothing to write home about. I thought his dancing was the best part of his performance though, but others have disagreed.
Channing is well-cast, of course, but her singing? Eh. Plimpton is absolutely stellar and IMHO, worth the price of your ticket alone. "That Terrific Rainbow" is so good.
I'm pretty ambivalent about the new book though. The ending? WTF? I can't tell what Joey actually does, unlike the original. And giving "Zip" to Gladys *seems* like a good idea... I'm just not sure it's staged well.
Interested to hear what you think. And how you like Risch.
Again, worth the price of admission for Plimpton.
Posted by: Scot Colford | January 07, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I can't wait to hear what you think of the show. I've known Matt for years. Both years when I was working up at North Shore, he played Peter Cratchit in their production of 'A Christmas Carol' (before they lost their minds and stopped producing it).
I also saw him in 'Cabaret' at Walnut Hill...and then I saw him in the fall of '07 in 'Legally Blonde'.
He's a great kid and I'm very excited for him!!
Hopefully I'll get to catch him in 'Pal Joey'.
PS - I had NO idea about your Hunter Bell interview...I'm so jealous, it hurts.
Posted by: AjohnP | January 07, 2009 at 10:57 AM