Joined: 12/31/69
Any more word on who will replace the leads once they leave for London? I know Mark Evans and Chris O'Neill were rumored but not confirmed. When do you think Gavin and Jered will leave?
Broadway Star Joined: 4/2/10
I believe the current stop in San Francisco is Gavin and Jared's last city on tour. Mark Evans is indeed taking over for Gavin. I have not heard anything about who's taking over as Cunningham.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
Mark has currently been with the company rehearsing San Francisco. My guess Portland will be his first stop.
Chris O'Neill's been in San Francisco as well.
I was at the first preview in SF and he was observing the show; I think I saw him observing on Broadway a week or so before that.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
It should also be noted that the Broadway production will be going on 2 years come February. I would imagine that most of the original cast members will be leaving the show at that time, thus needing replacements for Nabulungi, Elder McKinley, Mafala Hatimbi & most of the ensemble.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
Tonight was Jared and Gavin's last show with the company.
Totally wasn't aware of this happening. I'm seeing the show in April and was looking forward to seeing Gavin in the show.
Gavin and Jared were announced as going to London back in November, but BoM PR played down that this meant they'd be leaving the tour. (Still, logic dictates, unfortunately.)
Dang. I see the show in two weeks in Seattle and was totally looking forward to seeing Gavin.
It's confirmed. Mark Evans and Chris O'Neill are both on tonight.
PR would have only been able to "play it down" had they ever been banking on either the leads selling tickets. Huge percentages of the audiences that see tours, have no inkling who either of these men are.
Did you see the reaction from all those disappointed Gavin Creel fans on Nov 8 when the news broke, though? I'm sure they don't make up a significant number of ticket buyers who were previously on the fence about BoM, but it was pretty vocal.
Swing Joined: 8/19/12
So why take a London-based actor out of London and take NYC-based actors to London? I assume it has something to do with Equity, but I don't understand a lick of it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
Evans is only in the show through June. My guess it was to get him into the culture of show, before playing it on the west end. Was anyone at show tonight?
i would guess it sadly means mark evans will take over in london. they get someone established in the role already to open london while getting mark used to the role in the us. i dont rate mark much as a performer but i do think he is probably the best we have in the uk for that role in terms of overall look
A friend posted that they were both great. Felt very good about their performances.
Lizzie, I know I was disappointed when the news broke as I was planning to see the tour. I do love me some Creel and know that I won't see the tour. The small percentage of us here, hardly make any difference in anything.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Bump. Has anybody seen Mark and Chris? If so how were they?
I saw Mark Evans and Chris O'Neill shortly after they started and I really liked them. Chris is definitely more of the "comic actor who sings" vein, but his comic timing and expressiveness makes up for it. He can hit the notes; he just doesn't hold them very long. Mark plays Price like a stereotypically brash American, and his voice is fantastic. He and Chris work really well together.
I'd seen Gavin and Jared twice before I saw Mark and Chris, and I didn't actually miss Gavin and Jared at all, even though I loved them in the show. Probably a good sign. :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Finally saw this recently and loved it. This was the first time, but Mark and Chris seemed like a less over the top version of the originals. @LizzieCurry, it seems you have seen this many times. Do you have any favorites (or least favorites) for the two leads?
Yes to both. :) Glad you loved it!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
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