Excerpt From Riedel’s Latest NY Post Article
Michael Riedel’s latest NY Post article, “WHEN ‘EX’ MARKS THE PLOT”, which maligns playwright David Mamet citing various “sources” sound familiar?), ends with, almost as an aside, a follow up of his ‘Great Boy But No Pal‘ article. While not exactly a retraction, Riedel must admit that not all his information was accurate: (red type indicates Catherine’s personal comment)
EXECUTIVES at the Rodgers & Hammerstein office called to say that, contrary to the rumors swirling around “Pal Joey,” they weren’t the ones who knifed poor Christian Hoff.
The Tony-winning actor left the Roundabout revival a few weeks ago. He suffered a minor foot injury, but when he asked to return to the show, he was told that he’d been replaced by his understudy, Matthew Risch.
“The Roundabout asked us if we were OK with the change,” says an R&H source. “We certainly did not push for it. We did not have a problem with Christian.”
Whoever did him in, it looks as if Hoff has dodged a bullet. Word of mouth on “Pal Joey” is pretty poisonous. (We’ll let the critics be the judge of that next week.)
Risch gets high marks for energetically jumping into the fray, but “the chorus boy is still a chorus boy,” says a source.
The one bright spot: Martha Plimpton, who, although not exactly known for her singing abilities, is stealing the show with her rendition of “Zip.” Look for her to walk off with the reviews next week as well.
Well, Michael, I can only hope you learned a valuable lesson - check your sources! And Pal Joey and Christian Hoff fans, remember - don’t believe everything you read!
Howard | Dec 10, 2008 | Reply
Well, I guess it’s better than nothing, but I still wonder where Riedel gets his information. Did the R&H source tap Christian’s phone or morph into a fly on the wall when he “asked” to come back.
I can’t speak for all Christian Hoff fans, but I do feel a tad better this morning, but can’t quite forgive Riedel (especially after his engaging Theatre Talk with Christian on 11/1/06) for printing the original article without double checking his sources.
Liz | Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
I’m betting it’s all just gossip and he can get away with it because he just says “a source”. That’s some great journalism!
Still doesn’t get Roundabout off the hook, though.
kimiko | Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
Still I don’t understand why Roundabout hasn’t reversed their decision.
As far as I read many postings and other reviews by people who saw both performances, they favor Christian than young one.
Haven’t Roundabout ever counted how many people bought tickets because of Christian ?
As the result of changing of the drawing card, some people just claimed refund and other people gave up seeing Christian and thought it wouldn’t be bad to for checking it out.
It stand to reason that Roundabout were expecting many fans of Christian from “Jersey Boys” because, their sales strategy is drawing baby boomers, richer than any other generations. If they still need his fixed fans base, they should bring Christian back to make people happy.
The Economy Resession is getting worse and hurting even baby boomer’s pension fund.
If there is not special attachment on the stage, those people would away from Broadway.
Chistian Hoff is an actor of marked individuality who can play sweet an angel and ruthless like a devil.
That’s just the character of JOEY EVANS, isn’t it?
Is he a good dancer? We don’t care, because his dancing part occupies a few minutes in 2 hours perfomance.
We just want to be thrilled by Christian who can play many emotions and mysterious personality, Joey Evans.
Do you need more reasons to call him back ?
I am very happy if Roundabout has the heart to withdraw their previous statement.
Jeremy | Dec 12, 2008 | Reply
Saw the show this past Saturday. Risch is fine, but it’s not a star-making turn by any stretch. Martha Plimpton is the revelation - she walks off with the show. Channing is fine, but kind of coasting through it. Fellner is the one who needs to be canned - what is that woman doing in a Broadway show?
Ron | Dec 12, 2008 | Reply
What didn’t you like about her, Jeremy?
Carolyn Miller | Dec 14, 2008 | Reply
Bring Christian Back!
Howard | Dec 16, 2008 | Reply
Jeremy, I do think Jenny Fellner has a fine singing voice; however (and my opinion only), she didn’t seem to have the attraction to Matt that she had to Christian. I saw it on the opening night of previews and Jenny’s Linda seemed to be totally enamored with Christian’s Joey. I felt that she had less of a feeling for Matt (saw it this past Saturday) and that their first act duet together didn’t quite gel.
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