Injury Forces Christian Hoff To Step Down As Joey
Christian Hoff has left Pal Joey because of a foot injury he sustained during last Friday night’s performance. Understudy Matthew Risch covered for Christian Saturday night and Sunday matinee (Saturday matinee was cancelled) while he recovered. But the production announced today that Christian had left the show permanently and that Matthew was his replacement.
This is a terrible blow to Christian’s legions of fans who will miss his stellar performance as Joey Evans.
The Pal Joey Blog wishes Matthew all the best.
Audrey | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
You can feel the stunned silence, I think, throughout the legions of fans. I just hope this injury will fully recover and Christian will be back to 100% in time.
This role did demand that Hoff’s hoofs be at peak performance- there was no place to hide an injury while playing THIS part!
I’m personally so grateful that I had the chance to see him before this terribly unfortunate injury. All the best to you, Christian in your recovery. (And all the best to Matthew Risch as he steps up to the plate… no cries of ‘break a leg’ though
Lulu | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Audrey about the stunned silence. Today at work I told and re-told everyone about the wonderful experience we had at Pal Joey. Nothing could wipe the smile off my face as I thought about the weekend…until I read about Christian’s injury and subsequent events. Pal Joey was a very entertaining show with several intricate dance sequences. I’ll post more later, but I just wanted to add my sincere wishes and prayers for Christian’s full recovery.
Howard | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
We were all hoping for better results from Christian’s MRI, which was read today and which he took on Saturday. Unfortunately, these things happen in life. We’re going to miss his great talent, and I, too, feel fortunate to have seen the show when he was in it, along with so many of my friends. Best wishes to this great man and actor for a quick recovery, and then Christian’s great legion of fans will be ready to support whatever comes next!
Patty | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
My prays will be for Christian to have a quick and full recovery soon.
Art | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
What a shame, especailly after mumers of a Tony. I feel lucky to have seen him. Maybe he’ll recover quickly!
Bruce | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
My wife was in tears when she heard about Christains injury. We are scheduled to attend opening night and are still looking forward to it. It just want be the same without Mr. Hoff. Get well soon.
Damaris Dugan | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
I too was upset this morning when I heard the news about Christian.
We have tickets for Sunday’s show with my brother and his wife who are coming in from Florida just to see Christian in Pal Joey. We are very disappointed but wish Christian a speedy recovery!
Christian we will miss you! Get well soon.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Damaris & Joe
kimiko | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
Christian,
I’m so sorry for the incident and withdrawn from Pal Joey.
This sad news has broken my heart and our hearts.
I just wish you recover from the injury in no time.
Luckily, I could see and enjoyed your perfomance at preview opening day Nov. 14. Then I was convinced you would be able to be the best actor at Tony Award. So, I took my friend to the theathre on Nov. 24 (Monday) and we were told you were no longer there. We were so sad and upset.
I still hold 2 perfomances’ tickets and expect a miracle.
We all believe you will over it and be back to Broadway soon.
Again,it’s my sincere wish that you recover well.
There are so many fans behind you and waiting for you !!
Cyn | Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
I too am stunned to hear of Christian’s injury and departure. Like all of your fans we will be hoping and praying for the best and look forward to seeing you perform in the future!
Jim B | Nov 28, 2008 | Reply
The first time my wife and I saw Jersey Boys we fell in love with the show and Christian Hoff. When we made another trip to NYC we went to JB but Christian had left three days prior. Obviously bummed we walked around the corner and bought two great tickets for Pal Joey on December 13. Now Christian is gone again. Super bummed. Our best wishes go out to the super talented Mr. Hoff but I have to say…I think there may be more to his leaving than a foot injury that was only supposed to rested for a week.
Bill | Nov 29, 2008 | Reply
What could it be, though?
Carolyn Miller | Nov 29, 2008 | Reply
I wouldn’t read anything more into it. I saw Jersey Boys four different times over a year and a half period and several family members have also gone on other occasions and only once were all the regulars there together…yet each and every time Christian was there. That man is a true professional and puts his heart and soul into everything he touches. There are few people out there that are more dedicated than Christian. Yes, the economy is suffering right now and even Broadway has been affected…but I truly believe the show is moving forward without Christian for one reason only….he is out of commission. My thoughts and prayers are with Christian and I know this has to be killing him, yet his faith and family will see him through. As far as I see it…the Tony was his. Good things are yet to come for this man and his fans will be there to cheer him on. We love you Christian!
Liz | Nov 30, 2008 | Reply
I agree with you 100%, Carolyn. I understand that Christian’s role required A LOT of dancing, and that they had just learned a new dance that same day (Friday, Nov. 21). If the role were less dance-oriented, maybe he could have returned fairly quickly if the injury is not serious, but it’s not hard to believe he’d have to refrain from serious dancing for an extended period. After all, we certainly do want him to heal properly for his next great role!!!
All the best, Christian. We’ll be waiting patiently for word of your next “move”.
Esteban | Dec 2, 2008 | Reply
It’s amazing but not surprising (from the perspective of someone who has known Christian and followed his work ethic and professionalism)–that so many of you that saw the initial few preview shows could have come away with such a positive but opposite reaction to Christian’s performance than other bloogers who posted their very negative reactions on Broadway.com? Still trying to figure out which reactions are the accurate ones and how they could be so polar??!!
Liz | Dec 2, 2008 | Reply
It’s interesting to me that the only bad comments I saw were on the broadway sites. I don’t usually visit them because in my opinion the bloggers can be quite hateful. I did, however, see several posts on random blog sites that were quite complimentary of Christian’s performance. It’s unfortunate that people feel the need to trash ANYONE’S performance in the first few days of previews.
Carolyn Miller | Dec 3, 2008 | Reply
Jim B…you were right…there was more…sorry!
JACKY RITTLINGER | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
GET WELL SOON. ALREADY MISS YOU.
GET BACK ON BROADWAY…BUT,REST, REST, REST, FIRST
zoe | Dec 7, 2008 | Reply
Saw the show last night. Felt sorry for Matthew Risch - he is in over his head. He was obviously working very hard, but has no voice, no charisma, and was sweating up a storm. Definitely not a smooth performance. His dance with Stockard Channing was awful. They danced as if they had never danced together before. Based on Jersey Boys, I can only assume that Christian Hoff would have done a much better job. He can sing!
Paula | Dec 12, 2008 | Reply
I just want to address the negative comment about Matthew taking over for Christian in this show.
First of all, most of you probably are not aware of how hard is to take over for any role on a Broadway stage. The understudies do not get a chance to rehearse there understudy roles fully until AFTER the the show open officially. So you know all of you are judging his performance based on the fact that he had to learn the ENTIRE show as a lead in a couple of days. There are not many performers who can do what Matthew was required to do.
So the fact that he remembered every word, step and costume change is a tribute to how talented Matthew is. So please forgive him if he sweat a little too much for your taste…since he was probably so anxious about going from being in the chorus to starring opposite Stockard Channing.
I don’t know Matthew personally, but I do work on Broadway myself and have understudied before. It nerve-racking to go on for a star when you are FULLY prepared, much less doing it on hours.
Now, in honer of Christian, who was once an understudy in his career before he one the Tony, Matthew and all understudies and swings on Broadway… PLEASE STOP!!
I hope all of you on here has the great privilege to join all of us on stage on day and know the joy you get from being Broadway star and gypsy.
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