Archive for August, 2009
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.”
Opening Night of “Tin Pan Alley Rag”, Co-starring Jenny Fellner
Jenny Fellner, photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
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.
Jeffrey Schecter
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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!