A Word About My Pal, Christian
Exclusive to the Pal Joey Blog
Rick Elice
When theater folk get together over a glass of sherry and reminisce about the actors who most influenced them, those whose sensitivity, artistry and command of craft transformed and energized not only their own lives but the very life of the American theater, it’s likely that one name comes to mind: Harvey Fierstein.
But would it be fitting for a “Pal Joey” blog to boast of any actor before enshrining the guy who plays the title character?? Certainly not.
Which is why we gather electronically to this place to honor our very own Christian Hoff. I say “our very own” even though Christian is a SoCal kid with blonde curls and surfer looks — traits that he disguised for the past four years during his spectacular Tony-winning turn as Tommy DeVito in that little number called “Jersey Boys.” In theory, there couldn’t be a guy less right for Joey, a Broadway heel of the highest order. But Christian defies theories.
He’s been honing his chops since he was a kid in Hollywood, and it shows. There isn’t much this classic triple-threat star can’t do, and the excitement at watching him do it as “Joey” is palpable up and down Broadway. Because Christian has that rare combination of magnetism, danger, audacity, instinct, and, I’ll say it, sex appeal, that goes to the heart of what an audience wants to see. And, as for the off-stage man, anybody who’s ever met Christian knows that he is the definition of class, a good, solid, upright, forthright husband, father, friend and colleague.
A hero who plays a heel. What a great Broadway story!
RICK ELICE
Rick Elice is the Tony-nominated co-author of Jersey Boys.
Tom | Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
Christian is a great actor and a great guy!
Howard | Oct 3, 2008 | Reply
Rick, thank you for validating what we all know about this amazing and talented thespian. Christian is loved by producers, colleagues, and fans alike not only for his talent and versatility, but for his humanitarian efforts for the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia-Parkinson Foundation and other charitable causes. Indeed, Christian also performed for NY publishing icon Jeff Mann at his “Mann of the Year” Awards in May on behalf of Alzheimer’s. It’s detailed on http://www.christianhoff.com.
Re his CA looks at the recent fans’ brunch at Christian’s last “Jersey Boys” performance, we all loved your statement re your meeting Christian for the first time (paraphrasing, w/a little poetic license): “In walks this guy with curly blonde locks, surfboard in tow, and I’m thinking to myself ‘this is the fellow Des (McAnuff) has been raving about??!!’” Well, Des was so right, Rick, leading all the way to Christian’s 2006 Tony.
I’m hoping that our own “Pal Joey” Blogmaster Catherine will soon let me tell my story of how Christian’s taking 10 minutes to answer an e-mail of a fan he’d never met led to my unbelievable two year journey on the Broadway scene….
priscilla | Oct 3, 2008 | Reply
Christian Hoff, starring as Joey Evans in PAL JOEY, opening December 11, 2008 on Broadway will make the perfect scheming song and dance man, a delightful and charming man in person; now with his experience as a “tough” wheeler and dealer in JERSEY BOYS will certainly shine in his new role.. a must for all to see!
NewJerseyLasagna | Oct 3, 2008 | Reply
Christian Hoff…You are definitely One of a Kind!
Just had the opportunity to see his last JB performance at the August Wilson Theatre as Tommy DeVito last Sunday & gave him the biggest hug afterwards! OK, Howard did you capture that Kodak moment?! Can it get any better than that…yes, despite seeing him perform numerous times…I won his Elephant.org bid which included the cutest little blue Ty elephant & awesome photo which he graciously autographed last Sunday. Also took a “peek” into Studio 54 before leaving NYC…still undergoing major renovations; unable to see everything inside. You go Christian; can not wait to see you debut in this role on 14 November…you are Simply the Best!
Audrey | Oct 10, 2008 | Reply
Nobody tells it like Rick Elice and nobody plays it like Christian Hoff! The countdown to the big opening has long begun and I can’t wait to see Christian master another huge Broadway role.
stubbleyou | Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
I would put myself in the uppermost percentiles of Jersey Boys/Four Seasons fans, but I never had the pleasure of seeing Christian Hoff in his Tony-winning performance. (I don’t get out east much - I’m a SoCal native like Mr. Hoff, but the similarity ends there. Surfer boy? Fuggeddaboudit. On the rare occasions that I managed to stand up on a longboard I was off of there in about 12 seconds. But I digress.)
All it took was the recent performance at the US Open http://jerseyboysblog.com/broadway-jerse…) though to show me what everyone else had been telling me - that he played the role with maximal style, pizzazz, confidence, and enthusiasm. Now I understood why an actor from a different Jersey Boys cast, upon learning I was pretty familiar with the show, gave me an unsolicited and unqualified absolute rave about his performance as Tommy D.
I’m sure he’ll bring the same qualities to his new endeavor. How can it miss?