I actually like that choice a lot. Will Chase is very masculine and he has a good voice... so I think it has potential to work. As for age, all that matters is that he can convince us that he is younger, but my god I hope he doesn't look bored of his a$$ like he did in Rent.
"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas." -Danmeg's 10 year old son.
Although Will Chase does seem a bit old for the character, I think this is the type of casting that they wanted for this role of Tony.
Joe Caffrey, the current Dad in the London Cast was the original Tony when the show opened there in 2005 so obviously the age difference in the actor doesn't matter very much in casting.
Though on the other hand, the current Tony in London is Craig Gallivan who is in his mid-late 20's and one of the Broadway understudies is David Larsen who is in that same age range. Definitely a few years younger than Will Chase.
"And suddenly I'm flying flying like a bird, like electricity, electricity, sparks inside of me, and I'm free, I'm free" -Billy Elliot
Yeah, I was going to say that Will and Gregory should be brothers, not father and son. I guess it's not a HUGE deal for an 11-year old boy to have a brother in his 40s.
"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas." -Danmeg's 10 year old son.
I just watched the Rent DVD and I didn't think he looked bored off his ass.
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
Let's also hope they hire Abigail Breslin to be Grandma. She's an AMAZING actress, and I'm SURE she'd be believable!
In my opinion, it's not about his ability as an actor, it's more the appropriateness of the choice. Is there not an actor the appropriate age to cast in the role of Tony? I somehow doubt it.
I saw Will Chase in AIDA, HIGH FIDELITY, and RENT. The only role I liked him in was RENT, and even then I wasn't crazy about him. There's something about his natural facial features that doesn't make me take him seriously as a character.
But, I admire the man, his artistry, and his passion. It's not his fault I don't believe his face! :-P
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle