Riedel’s NY Post Article Open For Discussion
Michael Riedel (on right), NY Post columnist and Broadway gadabout, serves up some ‘Pal Joey’ intrigue. (B. Glikas)
Here is the article, in it’s entirety, followed by comments that appear on the NY Post website
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GREAT ‘BOY’ BUT NO ‘PAL’
HURT FOOT LETS HOFF WALK OUT ON ROLE
By Michael Riedel
Broadway Matinee
CHRISTIAN Hoff was a terrific supporting player in “Jersey Boys” - so good, in fact, that he won a Tony for his performance as the thuggish Tommy De Vito.
But as leading-man material, Hoff didn’t cut it. At least in “Pal Joey.”
The actor withdrew two weeks ago from the revival of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s 1940 musical, now in previews at the Roundabout’s Studio 54 theater.
Officially, Hoff injured his foot - which is true.
But there’s more to the story than the press release.
Hoff’s injury was minor, and he wanted to return to the show. But several people involved in the production didn’t want him back.
The actor, sources say, wasn’t up to all the demands of the role, especially the dancing.
“Even when he wasn’t injured, he danced like he was,” a source (a bitchy one) says.
During rehearsals and previews, representatives from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization, which controls all of Richard Rodgers’ musicals, became increasingly concerned about Hoff’s lackluster performance.
“It’s a very difficult part - you’ve got to sing and dance and be charming and a jerk, all at the same time,” says a production source. “Those elements were not coming together.”
A “Pal Joey” with an inadequate Joey would be disastrous. So Hoff’s injured foot was “good cover” to get rid of him, a source says.
He’s been replaced by his understudy, Matthew Risch, a chorus kid who’s appeared in “Legally Blonde” and “Chicago.”
But he’s got one thing Hoff never had: the approval of Mary Rodgers, the composer’s daughter.
She saw a performance the other day and gave the kid her blessing, sources say.
Hoff’s agents, meanwhile, are demanding that the Roundabout pay out his full contract.
In fact, the theater’s obligated to give him only three weeks’ severance. But a source says: “He will be compensated way beyond that.”
Click “read entire post” to view comments from the NY Post website.
CFM wrote:
This is so very wrong! This part was made for Christian and I absolutely do not believe he couldn’t pull it off…NO WAY! How could he be judged so quickly? It sounds more like someone has it in for him. I bought seven tickets for the December 13th show to see Christian. I was also going to purchase several more for January. Christian has a fan base both in Georgia and Florida. After the initial news broke out, I still wanted to support the show and Broadway. Now I feel differently…no offense to Mr. Risch. I will not be there next week, nor will I be there in January. When I go back to NY, I will be supporting other Broadway shows, like Jersey Boys!
ad wrote:
In response to the article in the New York Post
about Christian Hoff not being able to perform as Joey Evans in Pal Joey, you must be kidding. No one can sing, dance, be charming and act like a jerk all at the same time as well as Christian Hoff can.
Obviously, the 2006 Tony Award won by Christian for playing Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys was no fluke. We first saw Christian in Jersey Boyes and enjoyed him so much we saw the show 8 times. He was fabulous. We went to see Pal Joey on the second night of opening and loved it so much we immediately purchased tickets for Nov 29th. When we went to see Pal Joey for the second time and discovered he was no longer in the show we were so disappointed. Everyone in line was there to see Christian and were all as disappointed as us. For those of you who believe that Pal Joey will be a success without Christian are truely mistaken.
Howard3 wrote:
Who are these sources? Are they people from the Company itself? All of us have come across vicious people in our lives who try to cut us off at the knees, perhaps even secretly enjoying our misfortunes, but this is going to the exteme! Do these “sources” really exist? Did Mr. Riedel confirm anything with a second “source”?
Christian Hoff has developed an enormous fan base from his work on Broadway and his humanitarian efforts, and in my opinion, is probably the key to the lion’s share of ticket sales, including many repeat sales. While I’m certain Mr. Riche is quite talented and sounds very nice, I’m surprised Roundabout would throw away such a great revenue generator in a suffering economy where multiple shows are closing.
Finally, let’s suppose for a minute that the comments on Mr. Hoff’s performance have a scintilla of truth to them. These are the previews, for heaven’s sake! I’ve seen shows on opening nights that would not be recognizable from seeing the previews, including one recent multiple Tony award winner (not “Jersey Boys”).
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
Sami wrote:
Wow! Nothing like throwing somebody under the bus! The whole situation sounds fishy to me. For a production source to make the statement “It’s a very difficult part - you’ve got to sing and dance and be charming and a jerk, all at the same time,” (all of which Hoff did beautifully in JB), and for them to then go with an understudy who, by his own admission in the NY Observer article “Never (had) a real speaking role before…” - it just doesn’t follow.
But that’s just my opinion
Howard | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
Catherine, thanks for posting this article along with the comments, including mine. I am still amazed that these “sources” could be taken as gospel, and that comments could be so twisted. For instance, perhaps Mary Rodgers did compliment Matthew, but did she ever see the show with Christian? Did she explicitly NOT approve of Christian? I doubt it.
Who is the “bitchy” source? Just Riedel’s use of the word implies a certain individual, whether accurate or not. Why not just come out and say it, or say it is not she? If it is not who everyone thinks it is, he has tarnished her reputation too!!
Did Riedel see the show with both Christian and Matthew? He’s been around Broadway long enough (in fact, he had Christian on his “Theatre Talk” on 11-1-06) to know that a show in previews is not necessarily what the public sees on opening night.
Just this morning, I read a rumor on the Jersey Boys Forum that Christian may return for some shows, including opening night. If true, perhaps Roundabout has heard from so many people who are asking for and receiving refunds. My two elderly cousins were so looking forward to the show on Dec. 13 (and it’s a schlep into NYC for both of them, who are close to 80)–and now have no interest without Christian.
Please keep us posted, Catherine. You’re doing a great job.
Bill | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
Riedel has a history of attending first previews and then immediately circulating negative buzz. He openly admits it and is unapologetic about it.
I wonder if he generated some of the very questionable early bad buzz on Hoff.
Ricky R | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
Is the “she” in Howard’s post Stockard Channing? I hope not. I’ve always viewed her as a real pro who would never stoop to something like that.
If she’s the one, I know about 20 people (some very “bitchy” themselves) who would like to comment on her age appropriateness for the Vera role.
Liz | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
Ricky, I think what Howard is trying to say (and Howard, forgive me if I’m misreading) is that Riedel deliberately makes the reader think of ‘a certain someone’, whether true or not. And that in itself is unfair.
And I agree completely with a commenter from the article (Sami) who points out that if the Joey role is such a difficult role, why would it make sense to hand it over to the(too inexperienced, in my opinion) understudy. I mean, not to take anything away from Matthew, it just doesn’t sound right to me.
And I echo Howard, Catherine, in thanking you for giving us the opportunity to share our thoughts.
Ricky R | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
Why all this tap dancing around (no pun intended)? Does that “certain someone” have the initials SC or not?
Howard | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
Ricky, Liz is absolutely right–I have no idea who the “bitchy source” is, but the word itself steers someone in the direction you suggest, at least in my opinion, by the Vera Simpson role itself. I have never met Miss Channing personally and have admired her past work, and thought she was fine in “Pal Joey”. But as soon as I saw the adjective, perhaps very unfairly, I thought in that direction, since it’s the only role in the play that fits. I may be completely offbase, and very possibly Miss Channing is nothing like Mrs. Simpson. Sorry I gave the wrong impression.
kimiko | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
I was suprised with the comment by Mr. Riedel.
He is a professional critic, isn’t he?
I think he should not comment by rumor or the first impression only at the first day of preview.
If he is pro, he should compare between Mr. Hoff and Mr. Risch.
Actually, did he see both performances ?
I saw both and let me tell you neutrally.
Mr. Risch danced BIT better than Mr. Hoff.
Mr. Hoff could sing and act much better than Mr. Risch.
Moreover, Mr. Hoff acted elegantly without sweating !
I think the producers misunderstood about people’s motivation of paying more than $100 and come to theatre in cold winter night. Of course, people want to see high quality performance, however, that is not only reason for them.
We want to see favorite performers, familiar face on the stage.
We know the production’s marketing target is middle-aged people, baby boomer which is the biggest age group in US.
Those people repeatedly visited “Jersey Boys” and both men and women favored Christian, no doubt about it.
Then many many audience of “Pal Joey” came from “JB” and lapped over it.
I remembered all audience’s face at the first preview night, they looked happy and congratulated Mr. Hoff like seeing their own son. They came to see different Christian and did it then.
This is not against Mr. Risch. I just want to say the producers underestimated of power of familiar star and royal to him by his fans. Middle-aged people are faithful for their own taste.
The great economy depression would hit Broadway.
In this difficult condition, the producers should bet people’s royal to the STAR if it is real business.
Ms Channing and Ms Plimton are great stars and wonderful performers!
But, Pal Joey is about story of Joey Evans and you need to add One More powerful star in order to make people come again and again.
I think it is not too late to call Mr. Hoff back.
Howard | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
Beautifully said, Kimiko. I read and re-read your post and it actually brought a tear to my eye. I especially liked your comment about our greeting Christian as if he were our son…I think we all felt that way on the opening of previews (but on a lighter note, I would have had to have had an early puberty!!). More importantly, Christian gives us back that love threefold, both on stage and at the stage door.
I also think you are correct about wanting to see our favorite performers on Broadway. While I’m by no means comparing Christian (who is multi-talented) to Rosie O’Donnell, about 15 years ago, Rosie was a huge draw as Rizzo in Grease, although she clearly was not an accomplished singer.
I hope someone from Roundabout and Mr. Riedel read your post, Kimiko.
Liz | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
Kimiko, maybe you could “copy” and “paste” it to the comments section of the original article:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12032008/entertainment/theater/great_boy_but_no_pal_141928.htm
Mary | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for posting the article and I agree wholeheartedly with the comments posted thus far. The initial draw for Pal Joey was Christian. We saw it a couple of weeks ago and immediately bought tickets to see it again in December and had planned to see it again in January. We received a refund for the December tickets and have no interest in seeing it without Christian.
The role is very demanding and Christian did a fabulous job. His acting is always terrific and he really surprised me (favorably) with his dancing ability. I don’t know what’s up with the Post critic, but he’s off base on this one.
lizskorski | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
i only saw pal joey with matthew and i could say.. he force acted.. which was like horrible… and sweated sooooo much. the show was ok but just ok.
lizskorski | Dec 6, 2008 | Reply
i only saw pal joey with matthew and i could say.. he force acted.. which was like horrible… and sweated sooooo much. the show was ok but just ok.
moejoe | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Saw both Joeys. Matthew Risch is the community theater Joey. A nice dancer but no singer or actor. And the 37 year age difference between Risch and Channing gives one the creepy feeling he’s romancing his grandmother. They should have stayed with Hoff.
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