Friday 5: 5 Replacements I Missed

5 Replacements I Missed 

Since you asked, we are bringing back our Friday 5 feature! Broadway Games fans, not to worry, we'll have those on alternating Fridays.

This week, I'll get things going again with a look at five replacement performances I am still regretting!

1. Betty Buckley in Song and Dance

Any time I get to see her perform, I always leave the theater better off than when I arrive. I was particularly smitten with her in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, so when she left that show to replace Bernadette Peters in Song and Dance, I knew I had to get tickets. I mean, I was sure her "Tell Me On a Sunday" and "Capped Teeth and Caesar Salad" would be epic and life changing. Well, I had tickets for the first Saturday after the show closed...

2. Darren Criss in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!

As a huge fan of this musical, and this production, I had to see it again, and when he was announced to replace Daniel Radcliffe and make his Broadway debut, I had to be there! Well, a short run (less than 3 weeks) and bad weather at home scrapped those plans, and I missed him...

3. Nick Jonas in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!

Okay, so I missed Darren, I couldn't miss Nick! Heck, I saw him on Broadway before he was anyone famous...he was just a little boy when I caught him as Chip in Beauty and the Beast. In the intervening years, he got a wee bit more famous, so I knew he'd be great as J. Pierpont Finch. Apparently, a lot of others did, too, since tickets were hard to come by...

4. Reba McEntire in Annie Get Your Gun

My love for Reba has been a long affair. Her TV comedy is still one of my comfort shows, and I enjoy her music, too. I am not a fan of Annie Get Your Gun, per se, but videos of her now legendary turn as Bernadette Peters' replacement really have me kicking myself for missing her...

5. Lola Tung in Hadestown

So, I discovered her in the series The Summer I Turned Pretty, where she is quite a charming and captivating actor. When it was announced she'd be in Hadestown, I was very curious. Nothing from her show indicated that musical theater might be part of her repertoire, but why not? Alas, her pretty short run and a crowded season of new shows to see conspired against my return to the Walter Kerr Theatre...

Share: What are some replacements you regret missing? Did you see any of the above, and if so, did I miss out? Tweet me, IG me, Threads me! (all @jkstheatrescene)

Another Good Bye... and More Hellos!

Just yesterday, I blogged about the bittersweet nature of shows coming and going.  And just today, I got a healthy dose of the bitter and the sweet.  First, the sweet:

RENT - Good bye, Adam, Matt and Ashleigh!  Hello, Josh, Justin and Emma!

Good bye, Matt, Adam and Annaleigh!

As much as I didn't care for the revival of RENT, I have to admit the announcement of the replacements for the roles of Mark, Roger and Maureen excites me.  I actually saw Justin Johnston as Angel in the original production of the show, and he was pretty darned good.  I am really looking forward to seeing what he does with the role of Roger when he replaces Matt Shingledecker.  One former Spring Awakening alum is leaving, and another is joining.  Emma Hunton was good in Awakening, and she was truly amazing in the next to normal National Tour.  I can't wait to see what she does with the more "grown up" role of Maureen.  She takes over for the uneven (in my opinion) Annaleigh Ashford.  (Hunton begins performances on January 13.)  I can only imagine his chemistry with Mimi!

Welcome to Alphabet City, Josh, Emma and Justin!

Finally, I love Adam Chanler-Berat, even as Mark, but I'm glad that he's leaving the show, because chances are good that he's leaving to be part of the Broadway cast of Peter and the Starcatcher, bringing his critically acclaimed off-Broadway performance to a larger audience.  (I'm seriously keeping my fingers crossed.)  But Josh Grisetti is reason to contemplate a return visit to RENT.  I missed him in Brighton Beach Memoirs, and every subsequent New York appearance of his - all critically-acclaimed.  This might just be my chance to see what all the fuss is about.  Apparently, Enter Laughing won't be entering the Broadway scene as soon as previously thought.  (Both Johnston and Grisetti begin performances on January 20.)

LYSISTRATA JONES - Goodbye, Lyssie J., Mick, Robin and gang!

Good bye, Athens U!  And thank you...

Somewhere there is the audience for a Broadway show that is smart, funny, really meant to only entertain and is fresh and new.  You know, the show everyone bitches about that is missing from Broadway.  Yet another show that Broadway fans scream for but no one will go to - I'm thinking Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Scottsboro Boys - now Lysistrata Jones joins the ranks of failed critical darlings,  Thank God the writers of such bold, boundary-pushing works don't give up.  Do we really need more Mamma Mia and the like?  Once people realize and can respect that these types of shows will always be polarizing, and respect the polarizing opinions as BOTH being viable, the sooner these shows will stand a chance.  I'm just saying... if you don't like a show, fine.  But don't hate on the people who like it!

Maybe the only good thing to come of this sad departure is that another theatre is now open.  Perhaps for Peter and the Starcatcher?


Rate this blog below and leave your comments there, or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!
Jeff
3.128

Good Bye...and Hello!

As usual, the post-holiday/winter clean out of Broadway is fully underway, as I blogged a few days ago.  In the few days since I blogged on the topic there has been much press on the topic, some of which gave me pause and new things to consider when shows close:

Good bye, Mr. Jackman!

• Upon its close, the folks over at Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway announced that the Australian wonder not only turned a profit for the show, but he also raised just short of $1.8M for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.  All by himself...
• This Times article (HERE) is a reminder that there are more than just cast members out of work when a show closes.  And given that this article talks about two long-runners, Billy Elliot and The Addams Family, it is a harsh reminder that all shows close eventually, and that just like every other business these days, Broadway offers no job security, no matter the show.

And so we will have said good bye to several shows over the next weeks, there have been/will be several high profile good byes to cast members of shows that are staying put.  So with every "good bye" in these cases comes some "hellos" and "welcomes!"

OTHER DESERT CITIES - Good bye, Thomas!  Hello, Justin!  Good bye,  Rachel!  Hello again, Elizabeth!

Good bye, Thomas!  Hello, Matthew and Justin!

Recently, understudy Matthew Risch (Pal Joey) took over the role of the son, normally played by Thomas Sadoski.  Sadoski is back, but only temporarily.  He leaves the show permanently following the January 8th performance, to be replaced by Justin Kirk (Love!  Valour!  Compassion!).  Broadway cast member Rachel Griffiths (TV's Brothers and Sisters) will be exiting the drama on March 4th, to be replaced by the off-Broadway original, Elizabeth Marvel.

Come back soon, Rachel!

Welcome home, Elizabeth!

WAR HORSE - Good bye, Seth and Matt!  Hello, Andrew and Stephen James!

Good bye Matt and Seth!  Welcome to the war, Andrew and Stephen!

On January 12, 15 members of the original Broadway cast of the show, including Seth Numrich and Matt Doyle, who played the lead role of Albert and his cousin/nemesis Billy, respectively.  Replacing Numrich will be New York and London actor Andrew Durand (Spring Awakening, Yank, The Burnt Part Boys, The Umbrellas of Cherbourgh).  And taking over for Doyle will be Stephen James Anthony, who made his Broadway debut in War Horse as an ensemble member/ puppet handler (Joey as a Foal).

Also saying "hello" on the 12th will be new cast members/original cast members moving up:  David Manis (as Arthur Narracott), Andy Murray (as Ted Narracott), David Lansbury (as Hauptmann Müller), Harlan Bengel, Toby Billowitz, Lute Breuer, Hunter Canning, Anthony Cochrane, Ben Horner, Leah Hofmann, Tessa Klein, Nat McIntyre, Geoffrey Murphy, Andy Murray, Tommy Schrider and Jack Spann.  And saying "good bye" are: Zach Appelman, Austin Durant, Joby Earle, Ariel Heller, Peter Hermann, Ian Lassiter, Boris McGiver, Prentice Onayemi, Bhavesh Patel, Stephen Plunkett, Liam Robinson, T. Ryder Smith, Zach Villa and Cat Walleck.


HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING! - Good bye, Daniel, John and Christopher!  Hello, Darren, Nick, Beau and Michael!

The departure of Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette on New Year's Day was all over the news.  And the arrival of Glee's Darren Criss has garnered as much press, including this Times article (HERE).  His Broadway tenure will be short - just three weeks starting tonight through January 22.  At that point, pop/Disney star Nick Jonas will replace Criss as Finch for a longer time, through July 1.  Coming on board with Criss, and staying through July1 will be Emmy and Golden Globe winner Beau Bridges (TV: James Brady Story; FILM: Norma Rae, The Fabulous Baker Boys), making his Broadway musical debut - he's been on Broadway twice before.  He replaces Larroquette as J. B. Bigley.

Also coming on board with Jonas will be TV and stage favorite Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, The Temperamentals, Angels in America) who replaces Christopher J. Hanke as Bud Frump.


New faces, familiar places - shows to re-see until more new shows start up this spring!


Rate this blog below and leave your comments there, or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com, or Tweet me!
Jeff
3.127

Bits and Pieces for 06.20.10

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THIS MONTH'S POLL! (To your right!)

So, the Tonys have come and gone again.  And now the summer heats up with Broadway Bares, an event that I have been blogging about pretty much all week.  Today's shows mark the 20th edition of the event which benefits BC/EFA, which in turn supports a variety of health-related organizations.  If any of you go to Broadway Bares 20: Strip-opoly, please send me some of your pics to share!  And check out a special section of photos at the very bottom of this blog - one last look at Click It! and Strip-opoly -and it is NOT WORK SAFE!

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS WEEK!

• Click on "Broadway Ladies" above to see who is Ms. Broadway June 2010!
• Click on "Broadway Boys" above and scroll to the bottom of the page to see the full list of Broadway Bares blogs.

WHAT YOU MIGHT MISS: CLOSING SOON!
June 20:

• Well, it isn't closing, it is going on hiatus, until July 13.  I'm talking, of course, about A Little Night Music.  But today is your last chance to see Tony-winners Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury.  Then, on July 13, you'll get your first shot at seeing Tony winners Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch.

June 27:
3 Biggies will be gone for good!

• Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical: They said would run for years, but it is closing.  Apparently years means just over 500 performances, which is respectable, if not ground-breaking.
• Sondheim on Sondheim: Broadway will be legend-less (until July 13, at least) when Barbara Cook shuffles off into the wings for the last time.  But no worries!  The CD will be out before you know it!
• RED: It is hard to believe the runaway winner at the Tonys will be a thing of the past two short weeks later.  A real shame.  No wonder everyone's in an uproar over the "win and leave" trend.  Commercialism in theatre really blows sometimes.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE...
The West End is getting into the Broadway Bares phenomenon, with West End Bares: Strip Britannia!.  Jerry Mitchell supervises and produces the event, scheduled for as the Brits say, 5 September 2010.  Hot and cheeky works on both sides of the Atlantic, if you asked me!

BROADWAY BY THE NUMBERS

• 7 million: The numbers of viewers, according to the Nielsons, of the 2010 Tony Awards
• 5%: The percentage of fewer viewers this year than last.
• 76: The number of days until the first play opening of the 2010-2011 season - a revival of Mrs. Warren's Profession, starring the great Cherry Jones.
• 134: The number of days until the first musical opening of the 2010-2011 season - Kander and Ebb's The Scottsboro Boys.

Happy Birthday last week to:

06/13: Richard Thomas (Race)
06/14: George O'Dowd aka Boy George (Taboo)
06/15: Neil Patrick Harris (Assassins)
06/16: Laurie Metcalf (Brighton Beach Memoirs)
06/17: Barry Manilow (Barry Manilow on Broadway)
06/18: Kerry Butler (Xanadu)
06/19: Kathleen Turner (Indiscretions)




EXTRA! EXTRA! PHOTO SHOOTS FOR BROADWAY BARES (NWS)

As promised, here are two photo shoots related to Broadway Bares.  First, from Click It!, publicity shots for the Fantasy Football number.  Photos by Bruno Rand.

Featured dancers:

Daniel Robinson, Andrew Glaszek and Adam Hart

Which position fellas?

Linebacker, Wide Receiver or Tight End?

Talk about "touch" football!

And here's the whole 2009 squad.

Looking good, boys!

And here is a photo shoot for Next Magazine that features this year's Broadway Bares models in a variety of swimwear.  Photos by Wilsonmodels.

Jonathan Grant

Gerard Salvador (Mamma Mia!)

Kyle Des Champs (Billy Elliot)

Charlie Williams (Memphis)

Charlie Williams and Adam Michael Hart

Adam Michael Hart and Charlie Williams

All of the Broadway Bares Boys!

Remember: to contribute to this worthy charity, go to http://www.broadwaybares.com/ or http://www.broadwaycares.org/.

Comments?  Leave one here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com. (NOTE THE SPELLING!)

Jeff

Bits and Pieces for 05.16.2010

Here we are in the middle of the lusty month of May!

Remember:  This month there is a new poll every week that closes at noon on each Saturday.  Please vote!

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED!

• 2010 Special Tony Award Recipients
• REVIEW: Everyday Rapture
• So Long, Farewell...and Thanks
• YouTube on Broadway: The Tony Nominees, Part II
• Back in Time: 1993-1994: The Who's Tommy, Part IV
• Ms. Broadway May 2010

THE STINK OF CONTROVERSY HAS ATTACHED ITSELF TO RAGTIME

Noll in Ragtime

 It’s been a rough couple of days for you if you are associated with the short-lived-but-highly-acclaimed-though-less-acclaimed-now revival of Ragtime.

First, Santo Loquasto’s Tony nomination for Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical was taken away because it was determined (too late) that the designs didn’t differ that much from the original production. Um, duh. You could tell that from the picture. In fact, I thought the Kennedy Center might have rented the originals or had them duplicated.

Next came news from the Drama Desk Awards that the same nomination for costumes, as well as their nomination for William David Brohn’s orchestrations were rescinded because neither were significantly different from the originals. Again, duh. Now, I didn’t see it, but what I saw of it on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade segment, sure seemed lip-synched to the original score, and if not, it was seriously close.

It is a shame and an embarrassment on both sides, if you ask me. Isn’t it incumbent upon producers to withdraw names from consideration for such things before nominating committees make their selections? And you are telling me that no one from either awards organization noticed that Ragtime might have been staged differently, but that some of the other components weren’t nearly as original as critics praised?

What’s next? Christiane Noll’s performance too much like Marin Mazzie’s? Not to worry, Ragtime producers. Announce a tour or a return engagement and all will be repaired.

THE RACE GOES ON

Spader, Grier and Thomas in Race

 I have to hand it to the folks over at Race.  The little show no one talks about returned its investment months ago, announced an extension, got a paltry single Tony nod, and promptly announced that all but one of its original stars was jumping ship in June.  Maybe if there were more Tony nods, say for Best Play or Best Actor, they might all have stayed to the end.  But just when it looked like the race was over, replacements were announced.  First, congratulations to Kerry Washington's understudy, Afton C. Williamson, for getting the gig!  That is always so nice to see.  Then, two relatively big names were announced, and they are both even good actors, which is also nice to see in this age of stunt casting without merit.  Eddie Izzard will be replacing James Spader, while Dennis Haysbert (The Allstate guy, the President on 24) will replace Tony nominee David Alan Grier.  With Richard Thomas staying on, the finish of this Race might just be worth watching!

GRAB A VINE! TARZAN IS BACK!

James Royce Edwards

I tell you, there is something about a guy in a loin cloth singing Phil Collins tunes!  First, the incerdibly hot and extremely talented Josh Strickland was plucked from near obscurity to play the vine swinging hero, and now in the very first regional production of the (in my opinion under-rated) Disney musical, Tarzan, the role will be played by the equally good-looking and very talented James Royce Edwards.  The show will have its regional debut in Utah of all places this summer.

OUCH!

When will she "dance at the gym" again?

Poor Karen Olivo!  As you have no doubt heard, she broke her foot during the May 8th performance of West Side Story, meaning she will be out for the forseeable future.  Her very able understudy, Natalie Cortez, who sang and danced the Anita role on the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade last year, and who dazzled as Morales in the A Chorus Line revival, has taken over the role.  The production announced that a permanent replacement would be announced soon.  I say let Cortez keep the part!

THE CAPEMAN RETURNS?

Marc Anthony in the original

The Capeman

One of my favorite flops of all time, The Capeman, looks to have a revival shortly, directed by none other than Diane Paulus, the terrific director how brought Hair back to Broadway in a major way.  The Paul Simon musical is a complex and daring work full of dark themes and much joy.  It played a very short run at the Marquis Theatre during the 1997-1998 season.  I maintain that the show was way ahead of its time, the critics called it a dark mess.  The sets were amazing, all from bizarre points of view, the dancing spectacular and the performances riveting.  Of course, there was much controversy in the Latin/Hispanic community...

BROADWAY BY THE NUMBERS
10 Billion: The number of dollars Broadway added to the New York City coffers during the 2008-2009 season.
3: The number of award nominations Ragtime lost this week.
2: The number of those losses suffered by Santo Loquasto.
1: The number of Tonys Loquasto is still up for - designing Fences.

Happy Birthday last week to:

05/09: Billy Joel
05/10: Bono
05/11: David Alvarez
05/12: Jennifer Damiano
05/13: Havey Keitel
05/14: the late Bobo Lewis
05/15: Anthony and Peter Shaffer


Comments?  Leave one here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.
Jeff

From Temp to Full Time

These days, any job, just about, is a good and fortunate thing to have. I remember years ago doing temp work to fill in my budgetary needs. They always dangled that"if things work out/if business picks up, we'll offer you a full time position" carrot on the first day of a new assignment. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't.

This week, two different shows announced full-time replacements for two pretty high profile previously temp positions.

South Pacific announced that Laura Osnes, who "temped" for Kelli O'Hara during that star's maternity leave, will assume the role full time on January 5, 2010. By all accounts (that heard and read, anyway) Miss Osnes did a very nice job as the nurse who wants to "wash that man right out of her hair." At least at first, her co-star will be Tony winner Paolo Szot, and then his "temp" replacement, David Pittsinger will take over as Szot assumes an opera role at the Met in March. (There has been no word about if that temp will become full time or not.) Most recently, Laura Osnes played Bonnie in the world premiere of Bonnie and Clyde, a new musical by Frank Wildhorn, that has its eye on Broadway in the future.

Meanwhile, a day earlier, January 4, 2010, once "temp" Kyle Dean Massey will become the full time Gabe in next to normal, taking over that role from the departing Aaron Tveit. Earlier this year, Massey spelled Tveit while the latter took part in the world premiere of Catch Me If You Can: The Musical, which, like Bonnie and Clyde, is said to be Broadway bound. Mr. Massey is no stranger to the temp-to-full-time job, having taken over the role of Fiyero in Wicked from Mr. Tveit as well. Unofficially, though hardly a secret, several times, when Aaron Tveit was called to film his role on "Gossip Girl," Kyle Dean Massey would hop over from Wicked to play Gabe in his absence. (I always wondered what Tveit's understudy felt about that...)

While I have not seen Miss Osnes in her show, I can tell you that Gabe is in very capable hands with Mr. Massey. I had the good fortune to catch his performance the first time around. In a previous blog, I think I mentioned that he seems to really "act" the role more, while Mr. Tveit concentrates on power belting to get his point across. Both are valid interpretations, and I loved both actors in the part. Maybe a return trip to my favorite show is in order...

(Photos: Osnes in South Pacific and Massey in next to normal. Both photos by Joan Marcus.)

Comments? Please leave one here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com. Thanks!
Jeff

The Replacements

A few days ago, I blogged about understudies and replacements in next to normal. As with Kyle Dean Massey replacing Aaron Tveit for a spell in that show (and understudying in Wicked, too), I always go into a show with high hopes for the replacement actor or actress. I haven't been disappointed too often, always able to find validity in "different" performances. Occasionally, but rarely, I find the replacement to be better than the original; conversely, just as rarely do I find the replacement a complete failure.


With its rotating Billys, I've managed to see two of the three original Tony winning Billy Elliots, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish. While I enjoyed both young men very much and am awed by their talent, I still found that I liked the BE of Mr. Kowalik more. To be completely honest, I can't express exactly why that is. But I can say I found him to be charming, endearing, and in many ways more effortless, as if he were Billy Elliot, not playing Billy Elliot. I guess I just explained it, hmmm....

I loved the Glinda of Megan Hilty and the Elphaba of Eden Espinosa. There were things about both of them that I preferred to the roles' originators (blasphemy in some circles, I know), but I know what I like, and they were great together.

Of all the Princeton/Rods I saw in Avenue Q, I think I liked Howie Michael Smith the best - again I can't put my finger on it exactly, I just know I liked him the best. And kudos to his understudy, Jonathan Root, who was equally up to the task. Then there is the last P/R, Robert McClure, who I also saw on tour in the show, and he is wayyyy better these last days on Broadway than he was on the road. Of all the Kate Monsters I've seen (again I'll be blasphemous Stephanie fans) I loved Kelli Sawyer the best. And Ann Harada, an original AND replacement, IS Christmas Eve, and I will think of her every December 24th.

As I've mentioned in previous entries, I am looking forward to seeing the replacement Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Kerry Butler, especially as it reunites her with her once co-star from Xanadu, James Carpinello, who, it seems, has finally caught that elusive break he so deserves. I also am looking forward to catching the Riff of John Arthur Greene, who replaces the only weak link in the revival of West Side Story, in my opinion, Cody Green. Then there is the Mecca of replacement worship, Chicago, which changes leads more often than most people change their socks. I'd love to catch the fierce Dierdre Goodwin's Velma and Tom Hewitt's Billy Flynn.

To bring this full circle, one of those rare occasions where the replacement outshines the original: Sandy Duncan's Roxie was superior in every way imaginable to the Roxie of Ann Reinking. And if you knew what an Ann Reinking fan I was, you'd know how hard that is for me to admit. But Sandy was really THAT good.

Any good replacement stories? Add your comments below!

Jeff

(Photos from various Broadway show sites and common Google searches.)