All Entries Tagged With: "Christian Hoff"

Christian Hoff Can Dance!

Matt Windman posted the following on the amNew York, New York City Theater blog (December 16):

Something very weird is going on… Two weeks ago, Roundabout Theatre Company claimed that Christian Hoff had withdrawn from PAL JOEY due to a foot injury, now replaced by his much younger understudy Matthew Risch. Before the injury occurred, however, Hoff was set to appear in the one-night-only reunion original cast reunion concert of THE WHO’S TOMMY.

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 He suffered a minor foot injury, but when he asked to return to the show, he was told that he’d been replaced by his understudy, Matthew Risch.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!

A Message From Christian Hoff

“Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. In faith, I rest content and wish my friends at Pal Joey all the best.”
Christian Hoff

Delightful NY Times Interview With Stockard Channing

I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I did. It shows a softer, more personal side to Stockard.

Bewitched, Bothered and Back
By ERIK PIEPENBURG
Published: December 3, 2008

HOW you know the name Stockard Channing may depend on how you’re entertained. She was the naughty bun-in-the-oven Rizzo, with Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, in the 1978 movie adaptation of “Grease.” Theater fans remember her as Ouisa Kittredge in John Guare’s play “Six Degrees of Separation” in 1990 (she reprised the role in the 1993 film adaptation, which also starred Will Smith and Donald Sutherland). And for several seasons she was Abbey Bartlet, the wife of the president on the NBC series “The West Wing.”

“It’s interesting to be known as an errant teenager or the first lady of the United States, depending who you’re talking to,” Ms. Channing said.

Last seen on Broadway in the 1999 revival of “The Lion in Winter” opposite Laurence Fishburne, Ms. Channing, 64, is returning as Vera Simpson in the Roundabout Theater Company’s production of the Rodgers and Hart musical “Pal Joey” at Studio 54. The show, with a new book by the playwright Richard Greenberg, is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical direction by Paul Gemignani.

The title of Vera’s big number, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” is an apt description of the backstage dramatics that unfolded shortly after previews started. Christian Hoff, 40, who was to play Joey Evans, withdrew from the show after a foot injury and was replaced permanently by his understudy, Matthew Risch, 27. The show’s opening was pushed back a week, to Dec. 18.

Before a recent preview performance Erik Piepenburg sat down with Ms. Channing to discuss the challenges of a sudden cast change, her light-bulb moment with Brecht and Weill, and letting go of “Grease.” Excerpts from the interview follow.

Losing a Co-Star
It’s been hard on the company, any time you lose a member of the company so suddenly who’s been such an organic part of the creative process. … You can see how demanding the show is physically. I obviously wasn’t present for these conversations, but everybody had to make a quick decision. I think from his part, to bow out — he could injure himself permanently if he came back too soon. The temptation in any kind of athletic situation, I think, is “I don’t want to let the team down,” which is very much Christian’s way. … It was terribly dramatic because we had to cancel the Saturday matinee. …We’re blessed, and we also have a great loss at the same time, which is really stressful. I’m sure it was a very painful decision for him to make.

Old Joey, New Joey
I think we’re telling a slightly different story. There’s a much larger gap in age, which concerns me sometimes, that Vera Simpson is not going to be arrested for robbing the cradle. On the other hand there’s a great tradition that goes back to Colette, of an older woman and a younger man. It’s been going on for a long time.

Riedel’s NY Post Article Open For Discussion

In case some of you aren’t aware, the NY Post ran an article by Michael Riedel in it’s Broadway Matinee section that has Christian Hoff and Pal Joey fans abuzz. I have been reluctant to bring this up on the blog, but I think it only fair for us to post ALL Pal Joey news, and that includes positive and negative material. I also feel that you, the readers, should have a chance to voice your opinions on the subject matter of this article.
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.

Matthew Risch, The Luckiest Ex-Understudy In New York City

Max Abelson of The New York Observer visited with Matthew Risch in his new dressing room at Roundabout Theatre’s Studio 54. The first sentence of his subsequent article, which appeared on December 2, began like this..”Never having a real speaking role before…” Wow! Talk about pressure! Risch admits that he almost threw up when he heard that he would be taking over permanently for Chrisitan Hoff, who had injured his foot two days prior. But apparently not from nerves or joy, but because “I felt so completely horrible for him, because he had been nothing but the most generous person I’ve ever had the chance to work with…”

Risch has been receiving much appreciated support from his co-stars Stockard Channing and Martha Plimpton. “They’re like….We’re here for you. Whatever you need, just let us know.” And some welcome advice on playing Joey from legendary actress Elaine Stritch (who was in the 1952 revival). She told him “He’s (Joey) just spewing out all this vomit of charm…Vomiting up charm left and right to everybody, it’s nothing to him. That’s all he knows how to do.”

The full article covers many subjects, from what Risch keeps in his dressing room, to his childhood and through his career to present day - going from hoping to go on at least once as Hoff’s understudy, to becoming leading man in a Broadway musical. A dream come true for a man who had “never had a speaking role before”.

Click here to open the Observer site and read the complete article.

Christian Hoff bows out of ‘Pal Joey’ with injury: STAGE WHISPERS

by Lisa Ann Williamson/ Staten Island AWE
Tuesday November 25, 2008, 3:20 PM

Sometimes the show just can’t go on.

Case in point, the Saturday matinee of “Pal Joey” when one Dongan Hills family loaded up the car and hightailed it into Manhattan to see the Roundabout Theatre’s revival of “Pal Joey” during it’s preview run.

While having soup at a deli near the theater, they overhear on a cell phone conversation that the matinee performance at Studio 54 is cancelled.

Yes, cancelled. No lights. Nothing bewitching.

According to first rumors, Christian Hoff, playing the title role, was injured. Those reports proved to be true as he was sidelined by a foot injury. Broadway.com’s story Monday reported that the understudy, Matthew Risch (most recently seen in the ensemble of “Legally Blonde”) went on Saturday night and the Sunday matinee and will now step permanently into the role as Hoff officially withdrew. The heavily hoofy role requires healthy limbs.

Now to prepare Risch for his new responsibility, producers are delaying the official open one week to Dec. 18 rather than the previously announced Dec. 11.

Stockard Channing heads the cast of the Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers musical as socialite Vera Simpson who is smitten by Joey Evans, a dancer and emcee who has his sights set on opening a club of his own. He must now get someone to front the money and that will be Vera, who also knows Joey is a heel.

“Pal Joey” preview buzz had Hoff solidly in Tony contention for this role.

We wish him a speedy recovery and look ahead to Risch’s interpretation of Joey Evans.

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.

Hoff Advised To Rest Foot Through Weekend

Christian Hoff apparently sustained a minor foot injury during Friday night’s show, and has been advised by his doctor to rest through the weekend. The Saturday matinee was cancelled, and according to Playbill.com, understudy Matthew Risch was prepped to go on Saturday night and Sunday. I’m sure that Christian, being the true professional that he is, will follow doctors orders and hopefully return on Tuesday.

Here’s wishing Christian a speedy recovery!

The NY Times Shows Christian Some Love!

The following article appeared in the NY Times, and is just too good to summarize. I’d hate to leave anything out!

A Jersey Boy’s Moment as Broadway’s New Pal
By PATRICK HEALY
Published: November 20, 2008

It’s not every day that an actor is tapped to play a role immortalized by Gene Kelly onstage and Frank Sinatra on screen. It is not every day, either, that producers choose to revisit that role, Joey Evans in “Pal Joey,” given that it has a title character who uses and exploits women and has a legendarily uneven book that goes with the famous Rodgers and Hart score.

Given how risk-averse Broadway is, such a role might seem reserved for a bankable, household-name star who guarantees the extraordinary charisma that the rakish, antihero Joey must project — a Harry Connick Jr., say, or a Hugh Jackman, both rumored as potential Joeys in recent years.

So the weight of history and high expectations now sits on the shoulders of one Christian Hoff. He is not a household name; he is not a bankable star. What he is — besides the lead in Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of “Pal Joey,” now in previews at Studio 54 — is a Broadway classic himself: a determined, confident actor who found midcareer fame (and a featured-performance Tony) as Tommy DeVito in “Jersey Boys” and has his first shot at a major leading role.

For Mr. Hoff the role is one he said he was born to play after years as guys “you would not want your daughter to date.”

Christian Hoff To Perform in Bacharach To The Future

According to BBB-Blogger, POZ Magazine, the premier lifestyle, treatment and advocacy magazine for people living with-and those affected by - HIV and AIDS, will present the premier performance of BACHARACH TO THE FUTURE to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The one night only event will be held on World AIDS Day, Monday, December 1 starting at 7:30 PM at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Performers scheduled to join Hoff (Pal Joey, Jersey Boys) include: Katie Adams (Wicked), BethAnn Bonner (One Life to Live), Kerry Butler (Hairspray, Xanadu), Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon), Gerard Canonico (Spring Awakening), Franc D’Ambrosio (Phantom of the Opera),

Share Your Pal Joey Experience

One of our blog readers made a second visit to see Pal Joey, and here are her observations:
** The choreography may have been tweeked a bit…although I cannot say all the dancing was spectacular, it was quite enjoyable - especially dancing on the stairs. (Although I feel Christian Hoff was better on the stairs!)
** Costume glitches were all taken care of.
** The major improvement I was keenly seeking was the chemistry between ‘Vera’ and ‘Joey’…I felt that Stockard Channing did not feel comfortable with Christian…if Vera is supposed to be infatuated with this young song and dance man, I want to see that exhibited throughout the show…now seeing Matthew Risch & Stockard was a completely different FEEL..Stockard seemed to sincerely enjoy touching, embracing and kissing ‘Joey’…my personal thought was that Stockard feels much more in control with a very young protege, sort of a boy-toy!
** Matt’s dancing in the beginning was right on, but he does sweat profusely. The singing was much the same for ‘Vera’ and ‘Joey’.
** Martha Plimpton’s performance throughout the show is still very enticing…and Jenny Fellner still mezmerizing. They are both key characters to the success of this run of Pal Joey.
** Daniel Marcus’s (Ludlow) solo in the second act was a shining star.
** Matthew has clearly captured the “JERK” attitude that ‘Joey” is supposed to exhibit.
** I must say that the whole cast was more than gracious to pose for photos and sign autographs after the show.

The Pal Joey Blog invites you to share your Pal Joey experience! Leave a comment and let us know how you enjoyed the show. If you have pictures you want to share, send them to  admin at paljoeyblog.com, and include captions if you like.

A big thank you to Charly O’Clarit. She combined her pictures with those of Lucy Rochetti and Lori Leone to create this great slide show. Thank you, ladies!

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Shawna, a self-proclaimed Stockard enthusiast, shared this photo from her fabulous evening at Pal Joey. See comments below to read about Shawna’s experience.

First Impressions of “Pal Joey”, November 14, 2008 Preview

By Howard Tucker ( howardtucker3 at aol.com)

The Production

This production of Pal Joey, featuring a new book by Richard Greenberg, musical direction by Paul Gemignani, choreography by Graciela Daniele, and direction by Joe Mantello, brought to light new undertones not seen in the original productions, which certainly enhanced this show.

The plot focuses upon depression-era nightclub emcee Joey Evans (Christian Hoff) being torn between his innocent, naive girlfriend Linda English (Jenny Fellner) and wealthy but married socialite Vera Simpson (Stockard Channing). Joey romances Vera, who sets him up in his own club, Chez Joey. Along the way, Joey runs into an old acquaintance, Gladys Bumps (Martha Plimpton), with whom he has a very unpleasant history.

While there is a similarity to the Frank Sinatra movie in Joey’s and Vera’s characters, Jenny Fellner’s Linda English (a haberdashery clerk) is less worldly than the curvy and sensual Kim Novak (who was a showgirl type), and the Gladys Bumps character adds some new intrigue to the entire plot. Gladys and Joey’s history comes to light in the first act, and as Joey tries to show his power in the second act, we see that Gladys isn’t one to roll over and play dead. The ending was not the “and then they lived happily-ever-after” typical Broadway/Hollywood one, and that was a refreshing change.

Pal Joey Blog’s Exclusive Interview With Christian Hoff

These last few days before previews begin, the cast of Pal Joey is working long hard hours to prepare for the 14th (just two days away!!!). Even so, Christian Hoff was gracious enough to take a few minutes to chat about the show:

PJblog: How has the transition been from Jersey Boys to Pal Joey? Has your experience portraying Tommy DeVito been helpful in making that transition?

CH: The transition has been seamless. My overlapping of these two productions has allowed me to transfer my artistic adrenaline into another character. Yes, my portrayal of a real life “bad boy” has helped me with a more human perspective with regard to the bad boy icon Joey Evans.

PJblog: You worked closely with three men in Jersey Boys, and now your character is involved with three women. Are you the luckiest guy alive, or ????

CH: Let’s just say that it’s a bit more complicated juggling three love interests versus brothers.

PJblog: And what a wonderful cast in Pal Joey. Can you tell us a little bit about the people you’re working with?

CH: Stockard Channing is both a seasoned veteran of film and stage and a humble working actor who embraces the process. Martha Plimpton has brought a real sense of fun and professionalism. She has raised the stakes for me as both an actor and my character. Jenny Fellner has brought a great combination of innocence and strength to Linda and has given me a whole different emotional palette to work from.

PJblog: So many of the people who are familiar with Pal Joey have the movie in mind, and some even compare you to Frank Sinatra. But the original Broadway show was much different. Can you share any details about what we might expect from this revival? Does it basically stay true to the original show?

Christian Hoff in The Who’s Tommy Reunion Concert

THE PATH FUND / ROCKERS ON BROADWAY PROUDLY PRESENTS THE WHO’S TOMMY: 15th ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT CONCERT, REUNITING THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST
Directed by Donnie Kehr, this one-night-only milestone event featuring the original cast of the groundbreaking Broadway musical will take place Monday, December 15 at 8:00 PM at the August Wilson Theatre. Proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Dreams Foundation and the Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson Foundation.