All Entries Tagged With: "T.R. Knight"

Parade, and Hoff, A Hit In LA

The Donmar Warehouse production of Parade is being lauded as Southern California’s Production of the year (Variety). The musical, a revival of the 1998 Jason Robert Brown/Alfred Uhry Tony Award winner, which closed after only 85 performances, is based on the true story of Leo Frank (played by T.R. Knight), who was convicted for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta in 1913. Director-choreographer Rob Ashford’s retooled version is said to be leaner and more intimate than the original 1998 Broadway production.

Pal Joey Special Correspondent Tom Barton saw the show during previews and had this to report:

The new version of Parade is terrific. I saw the third preview and they received an extended standing ovation. Christian is the third lead, prosecuting attorney Hugh Dorsey. It’s a very strong performance. The entire cast is wonderful, especially T. R. Knight of Grey’s Anatomy as accused killer Leo Frank. The performance was sold out.

This will be a very tough ticket.

Christian Hoff fans won’t be surprised to hear that the critics agree! The “Hollywood Reporter” states … Of special note in the splendid ensemble are …Christian Hoff as the unprincipled prosecuting attorney… ; the “Santa Monica Mirror” reports…Though Knight steals the show, the ensemble cast is likewise powerful, particularly Christian Hoff as Hugh Dorsey; and “Variety” says of Hoff’s performance…The prickly, unsympathetic defendant is at the mercy of relentless D.A. Dorsey (a superb Christian Hoff), his spellbinding gestures misdirecting attention from a parade of dubious circumstantial evidence.

Besides Knight and Hoff, the fantastic cast includes Lara Pulver as Lucille Frank, Michael Berresse, Charlotte d’Amboise, Davis Gaines, P. J. Griffith, David St. Louis, Curt Hansen, Deidrie Henry, Lisa Livesay, Hayley Podschun (Pal Joey), Rose Sezniak and Phoebe Strole. The show runs through November 15 at the Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles.

Martha Plimpton To Appear on Grey’s Anatomy

It really IS a small world, after all! Just last month we learned that Christian Hoff (who originated the role of Joey in Roundabout Theatre’s revival of Pal Joey) will be co-starring in the upcoming LA revival of Parade with former Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight. (Hoff Set To Co-Star in LA Production of “Parade”). Knight, who was a fan favorite since the show’s first season, decided not to renew his contract at the end of last season. Now downhearted Grey’s fans can console themselves somewhat with the news that Martha Plimpton, who was nominated for a Tony award for her portrayal of Gladys Bumps in Pal Joey, has a (temporary) role in GA’s new Fall season.

Starting with the September 24th season premiere of the ABC drama, Plimpton will appear as the mother of a young patient in a multi-episode story line. I’ve never watched Grey’s Anatomy, but you can be sure I’ll tune in to watch Martha work her magic. What a treat!

Hoff Set To Co-Star in LA Production of “Parade”

According to Variety, Christian Hoff is set to join T.R. Knight in the upcoming Los Angeles revival of Parade. Also slated for the show are Broadway vets Michael Berresse and Charlotte d’Amboise, and Olivier Award nominee Lara Pulver. The production will run from September 24 to November 15 at the Mark Taper Forum.

Hoff, who was sidelined from Pal Joey with a foot injury, won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys, His “character” both onstage and off won him many dedicated and loyal fans who, I’m sure, will be delighted to see him on the stage again.

Knight, who is trained for stage, is probably most recognizable as Dr. George O’Malley in Grey’s Anatomy, a role he played since the show’s debut in 2005. He made the decision earlier this year not to continue on Grey’s, and his character will apparently be written off the show.

For more information on Parade, click here.