Pal Joey Blog

Parade, and Hoff, A Hit In LA

The Donmar Warehouse production of Parade is being lauded as Southern California’s Production of the year (Variety). The musical, a revival of the 1998 Jason Robert Brown/Alfred Uhry Tony Award winner, which closed after only 85 performances, is based on the true story of Leo Frank (played by T.R. Knight), who was convicted for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta in 1913. Director-choreographer Rob Ashford’s retooled version is said to be leaner and more intimate than the original 1998 Broadway production.

Pal Joey Special Correspondent Tom Barton saw the show during previews and had this to report:

The new version of Parade is terrific. I saw the third preview and they received an extended standing ovation. Christian is the third lead, prosecuting attorney Hugh Dorsey. It’s a very strong performance. The entire cast is wonderful, especially T. R. Knight of Grey’s Anatomy as accused killer Leo Frank. The performance was sold out.

This will be a very tough ticket.

Christian Hoff fans won’t be surprised to hear that the critics agree! The “Hollywood Reporter” states … Of special note in the splendid ensemble are …Christian Hoff as the unprincipled prosecuting attorney… ; the “Santa Monica Mirror” reports…Though Knight steals the show, the ensemble cast is likewise powerful, particularly Christian Hoff as Hugh Dorsey; and “Variety” says of Hoff’s performance…The prickly, unsympathetic defendant is at the mercy of relentless D.A. Dorsey (a superb Christian Hoff), his spellbinding gestures misdirecting attention from a parade of dubious circumstantial evidence.

Besides Knight and Hoff, the fantastic cast includes Lara Pulver as Lucille Frank, Michael Berresse, Charlotte d’Amboise, Davis Gaines, P. J. Griffith, David St. Louis, Curt Hansen, Deidrie Henry, Lisa Livesay, Hayley Podschun (Pal Joey), Rose Sezniak and Phoebe Strole. The show runs through November 15 at the Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles.

Stockard Channing At The Westport Country Playhouse

Ticket Sales Reported Brisk for “The Breath of Life”
Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Oscar-nominated Stockard Channing (l) and four times Oscar-nominated Jane Alexander are attracting “brisk ticket sales” at the Westport Country Playhouse for its latest production, “The Breath of Life,” which has its opening night performance on Saturday. Public Relations Manager Patricia Blaufuss said that tickets are selling “extremely well” and while no show is completely sold out, some performances have only seats remaining with a limited view. The show runs through Oct. 17.

CHRISTIAN HOFF WOWS THE CROWD IN SAN DIEGO!

By Howard Tucker and Stubbleyou
In the Las Vegas production of “Jersey Boys,” verbiage was appropriately changed from “So the next time you’re in Vegas…” to “So while you’re in Vegas…”

Similarly, on September 12, 2009 - now officially known as “Christian Hoff Day” in sunny San Diego, California (yes, that Christian Hoff - who knew?) - the home-grown Tony-award winning actor/singer/dancer changed the last line of the Drifters’ (and George Benson) classic On Broadway from “and I won’t quit ’til I’m a star…” to “and I didn’t quit; now I’m a star…on Broadway.”

It was a fitting punchline to his tale of how perseverance, dedication, and guts, (with maybe a bit of talent thrown in, he modestly conceded), can lead to great things. This was one of his themes as he spent the evening inspiring today’s generation of tomorrow’s stars and their families at a benefit performance at the San Diego Junior Theater, the same institution where he himself learned to tread the boards as a “yute,” (i.e., youth) as Joe Pesci might have called him in “My Cousin Vinny.”

Christian entered the packed theater from the back, coming forward down the center aisle as the crowd went wild. Looking suave, sophisticated, and debonair in a finely-tailored black suit, he exuded the confidence of knowing he already had the audience in the palm of his hand. Audience members had “Come Together” this summer evening (a song performed in the second half of the show in honor of it being Beatles Week) from several different areas of interest: Many appeared to be involved with SDJT in one way or another, past or present, faculty or staff, participant or patron. Family and friends were in attendance as well, and of course, a bicoastal contingent of Jersey Boys fans made more than its share of noise.

Christian devoted the first half of his show to Broadway and pop standards, accompanied only by his arranger and pianist Charles “the Czar” Czarnecki. Indeed, this was a show for all ages. He opened with

Medley: “I’ve Got the World on a String”, “Love is a Many Splendored Thing”, and “With a Song in My Heart”.

What a terrific way to bridge the generation gap with the 1933 Harold Arlen/Cab Calloway song “I’ve Got the World on a String” also covered in 2007 by Michael Buble. Who of us older baby boomers can forget William Holden and Jennifer Jones as the European/Chinese doctor and American journalist on “that high and windy hill” as the beautiful Four Aces “Love is a Many Splendored Thing” played in the background? And finally, the wonderful triumph of physically challenged songstress Jane Froman (Susan Hayward) entertaining the World War II blends perfectly to show us her road wasn’t always easy, but she always had “A Song in My Heart.”

The magically perfect blend of these three songs, with “Splendored” and “Song” slightly more upbeat than the originals, set the tone of the evening as our Tony winner had the crowd, young and old, “on a string” from the start.

“This Can’t Be Love/Thou Swell”

Those of us who were treated to Christian’s magnificent cabaret performance “Exiled” Read Entire Post

Fans Unite For Benefit Concert Starring Christian Hoff

Fans gathered from far and wide to share a night of music with one of their favorites - Christian Hoff.

Tickets Available For Hoff’s Junior Theatre Benefit Concert

from the North County Times

Tony-winner Hoff back home to honor his theatrical roots
PAM KRAGEN -  pkragen at nctimes.com | Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 8:15 am

Thirty-three years ago, a tow-headed 8-year-old Little Leaguer from La Jolla traded in his cleats and ball cap for a pair of tights and trumpet to play a boy page in San Diego Junior Theatre’s production of “Cinderella” at the Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park.

On Monday, he’ll return to the stage that launched his career, and Tony Award-winning “Jersey Boys” star Christian Hoff says he hopes to inspire some of the young Junior Theatre actors who may want to follow in his footsteps.

Hoff will host a master class for young actors (ages 12 and up) on Monday afternoon, and then on Sept. 12, he’ll perform in concert to raise money for Junior Theatre programs. He’s now recording a CD of standards, jazz and pop tunes that will be for sale at the concert, with all revenues benefiting the theater.

Hoff said he’s wanted to give back to his theatrical birthplace for years, but “Jersey Boys” and other work commitments have kept him from fulfilling that goal.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for kids to do what they do and hear about life in the theater, my experiences and how to bridge their youth theater work into a professional career,” he said. “I want to talk to them about body language, finding their essence and having a respect for the discipline of the craft of acting. That’s what’s missing out there right now, that discipline and respect for the process.” Read Entire Post

Opening Night of “Tin Pan Alley Rag”, Co-starring Jenny Fellner

On Tuesday, July 14th, Roundabout Theatre Company presented the New York premiere of the new musical The Tin Pan Alley Rag. starring Michael Boatman, Michael Therriault, and Jenny Fellner (Linda English, Pal Joey) as Dorothy Goetz.

The Tin Pan Alley Rag tells the story of an imagined meeting of two of America’s greatest musicians, composer Scott Joplin (Boatman) and songwriter Irving Berlin (Therriault). Both men changed the landscape of music forever with their contributions to the first American musical genre, ragtime. Beneath Joplin and Berlin’s toe-tapping, syncopated rhythms lay fascinating stories of fame, love and loss. In The Tin Pan Alley Rag, these tales come to vivid life and two great icons realize they have more in common than they ever suspected.

Click here to watch the video from opening night in a separate window. For more information, click here to visit Roundabout’s website.

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On a “Tin Pan Alley Rag” related note, Jeffrey Schecter (Shecky), understudy for Irving Berlin, has been spending his summer on a true labor of love: he’s preparing to run in a half marathon and hoping to raise money for melanoma research in honor of a special person who passed away from the deadly skin cancer. Schecter shares his story here.

Hoff Fan Thoroughly Enjoys Guys and Dolls

Jersey Boys Tony Winner cast in Guys & Dolls! Production run ends August 8th!
by Contributing Writer Priscilla Florindi

Saturday at the ‘beautiful place by the sea’, better known as Ogunquit, Maine, my daughters and I were awed by the production of Guys & Dolls at the Ogunquit Playhouse! Ogunquit Playhouse is “America’s Foremost Summer Theatre” of the Northeast! The Playhouse (which) consistently contracts Broadway actors, and this season its management culled a Tony winner from Jersey Boys, Christian Hoff!!

Christian, cast as Sky Masterson, evoked charisma, expertise and allure that mesmerized a packed audience. Receiving applause upon entrance, Christian exhibited his customary charm and was rewarded with a standing ovation at the close.

Christian’s beautiful baritone voice as well as his tenderness was showcased throughout the play. Despite the fact of achieving grand success on Broadway, Christian embraced the Ogunquit Playhouse role with genuine humility and grace.

Playing the part of Nathan Detroit, Richard Kind impressed with his impeccable comedic timing. Although his age separated Kind from the youthfulness of the supporting cast, the audience thoroughly enjoyed his performance. The ensemble dancers provided strong techniques. William Ivey Long (Pal Joey), a Tony-winning costume designer, again designed and created his signature technicolor costumes which completed the revival’s success. Linda Cameron, cast as the General Cartwright, was a hilarious showstopper and she graciously accepted kudos at stage door.

Christian received us at stage door, which was definitely the highlight of the evening. He was well-rested and looked simply divine! This has been Christian’s first venture to the Northeast and he has been taking in all the local delights with his beautiful family for the duration of the performance.

The production was rewarded with a visit at Sunday’s matinee by George H.W. & Barbara Bush, who also frequent the Playhouse. Guys & Dolls completes its run on Saturday, August 8th!

Roberty Clohessy Cast in Revival of “That Championship Season”

Robert Clohessy, John Doman, Lou Liberatore, Tom Nelis and Skipp Sudduth have been cast in the Westport Country Playhouse revival of Jason Miller’s That Championship Season. The production, staged by the theater’s artistic director Mark Lamos, will run August 25 -September 12.

Clohessy’s recent Broadway appearances include Pal Joey and Twelve Angry Men. Doman played Deputy Police Commissioner William Rawls on the The Wire from 2002 to 2008. Sudduth’s Broadway credits include South Pacific, The Iceman Cometh and Twelfth Night, and was a series regular on television’s Third Watch. Liberatore received multiple award nominations for his performance in Burn This on Broadway and Nelis received an Obie for his work in The Medium.

That Championship Season which previously won a Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award and a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, tells the story of four high-school basketball players and their coach who, twenty years ago, brought home the state championship. Now the five men convene for their annual reunion. But the evening’s revelry turns dark as secrets are revealed, loyalties tested, and dreams diminished in this searing, knockout drama. That Championship Season brings savage humor and heart-rending compassion to its insightful exploration of a corrupted American dream.

For more information, click here to visit the Westport Country Playhouse website.

Martha Plimpton To Appear on Grey’s Anatomy

It really IS a small world, after all! Just last month we learned that Christian Hoff (who originated the role of Joey in Roundabout Theatre’s revival of Pal Joey) will be co-starring in the upcoming LA revival of Parade with former Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight. (Hoff Set To Co-Star in LA Production of “Parade”). Knight, who was a fan favorite since the show’s first season, decided not to renew his contract at the end of last season. Now downhearted Grey’s fans can console themselves somewhat with the news that Martha Plimpton, who was nominated for a Tony award for her portrayal of Gladys Bumps in Pal Joey, has a (temporary) role in GA’s new Fall season.

Starting with the September 24th season premiere of the ABC drama, Plimpton will appear as the mother of a young patient in a multi-episode story line. I’ve never watched Grey’s Anatomy, but you can be sure I’ll tune in to watch Martha work her magic. What a treat!

Hoff Is A Hit In Guys and Dolls

When I learned last year that Guys and Dolls would be returning to Broadway, my first thought was that Christian Hoff would be a perfect Sky Masterson. Unfortunately, his schedule (Pal Joey) did not permit. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who could envision Hoff in the role. He is appearing right now in the Ogunquit Playhouse’s current production of the classic Frank Loesser-Abe Burrows musical. And he is a HIT!

***from Theatremania, Reviewed By: Sandy MacDonald · Jul 17, 2009 · Maine***

Tony Award winner Christian Hoff is a bantam, Cagneyesque Sky Masterson. Where many an actor tackling the role of the seemingly hard-hearted gambler might rely on broad shoulders and a matinee-idol profile, Hoff’s edge is intellectual. It’s smarts that earned this Masterson his peers’ respect. His ever-calculating brain is also his foremost means of seduction (although his warm singing voice doesn’t hurt).

***from seacoastonline.com, By Sharon Cummins, July 22, 2009 6:00 AM***

Christian Hoff, who won a Tony Award for his performance in the role of Tommy DeVito in “Jersey Boys,” is believable as the handsome high roller, Sky Masterson. His voice in “My Time of Day,” is as smooth as silk charmeuse…
…One of the better-known numbers from “Guys and Dolls,” “Luck be a Lady,” is passionately performed by Christian Hoff as Sky Masterson and a dozen other dancing gamblers in the city sewer.

The show goes on through Aug. 8. For more information, click here to visit the Ogunquit Playhouse website.

Hoff Set To Co-Star in LA Production of “Parade”

According to Variety, Christian Hoff is set to join T.R. Knight in the upcoming Los Angeles revival of Parade. Also slated for the show are Broadway vets Michael Berresse and Charlotte d’Amboise, and Olivier Award nominee Lara Pulver. The production will run from September 24 to November 15 at the Mark Taper Forum.

Hoff, who was sidelined from Pal Joey with a foot injury, won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys, His “character” both onstage and off won him many dedicated and loyal fans who, I’m sure, will be delighted to see him on the stage again.

Knight, who is trained for stage, is probably most recognizable as Dr. George O’Malley in Grey’s Anatomy, a role he played since the show’s debut in 2005. He made the decision earlier this year not to continue on Grey’s, and his character will apparently be written off the show.

For more information on Parade, click here.

A Taste Of The Tony’s

The Tony Awards show on Sunday night was spectacular! And although Pal Joey didn’t come away with any awards, the show was well represented….from Martha Plimpton on the red carpet (at time code 1:15)…

**video from broadway.com

….to Stockard Channing “bewitching” in the opening number (she appears at 4:55 in this video), alongside Aaron Tveit of Next to Normal.

And the finale was just too funny to miss! Neil Patrick Harris did a fabulous job as Tony host.

Stockard Channing to Perform on Tony Awards

Representatives for the Tony Awards announced Tuesday that Stockard Channing, of “Pal Joey”, is among the scheduled performers for Sunday night’s Tony Awards show. The following performers have also been added to Sunday’s awards ceremony: Dolly Parton along with the cast of “9 to 5: The Musical”; Elton John with the cast of “Billy Elliot, The Musical”; Liza Minnelli; and the band Poison along with the cast of “Rock of Ages.”

The roster of performers features the casts of the Tony nominees for best musical and best musical revival, which also includes “Guys and Dolls,” “Hair,” “Next to Normal,” “Shrek the Musical” and “West Side Story.” The Tonys show will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and broadcast on CBS.

Gemignani and Plimpton, Together Again

From Playbill:
Wall to Wall Broadway’s 12-Hour Line-Up Announced
By Andrew Gans
12 May 2009

Symphony Space’s free Wall to Wall Broadway: A Century of Musicals, a 12-hour celebration of the music of Broadway, will be presented May 16 beginning at 11 AM.

Hosted and staged by Symphony Space artistic director and co-founder Isaiah Sheffer, the annual event will feature an array of works from Broadway — songs, overtures, dance music — performed by hundreds of well known and emerging artists…

…At 8 PM, Tony and Emmy Award winner Paul Gemignani conducts a full orchestra in performances of Broadway musical classics. Performers include Michael Cerveris, Alexander Gemignani, George S. Irving, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Raúl Esparza, Martha Plimpton, Loni Ackerman, Terrence Mann, Randy Graff, Kate Baldwin, Leenya Rideout, Gregg Edelman, B.D. Wong, Julie Wilson, Debbie Gravitte, Ivy Austin, Isaiah Sheffer, Melissa Errico, James Naughton, Lisa Flanagan, Kathryn Markey, Amy Vice, Jonathan Hadary, Jeffrey Schecter, Liz Calaway, D’Ambrose Boyd, Chip Zien and Donna Murphy.

The current schedule of performances follows:
Read Entire Post

Jenny Fellner Back With Roundabout Theatre Company

Jenny Fellner will be back with Roundabout Theater Company in their upcoming new musical “Tin Pan Alley Rag”. The production will be the New York premiere of the show, which will run at Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theater at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theater — the first musical presented in that space.

Full casting for the musical was announced last month, with the actors Michael Boatman and Michael Therriault playing, respectively, Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin, who have an imagined meeting in this production that draws on their legendary music. Previews are to start Friday, June 12, with the opening scheduled for Tuesday, July 14.