Bierko out of Matilda....for now.- Page 2

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/10/13 at 10:50pm

I think the two of them taking the role is for the present time. It won't be for the whole stretch. There are equity rules that cover this....I think that the length of time means they have to offer someone a specific contract to cover the role. (I think its anything over two weeks, but it might be three.)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/10/13 at 11:20pm

It's consecutive performances (I believe somewhere around 1, not a length of time. I suspect Hoch will perform the majority of shows, with Thompson filling in whenever Hoch is close that magic number.

[winston89]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 1:35am

When I saw Bierko in the show, he didn't do the flips the the Trunchbull usually does at the end of The Smell of Rebellion. Instead they had a double do them and also had the double add a little extra than what I saw prior (keep in mind that the time that I saw Bierko was the first time I had seen it done without Cervel in the role.) So, I was just wondering ,is it possible that they had someone do the stunt work in that number all along because he wasn't cutting it in the role? Because if not, I'm inclined to believe the injury stories.

[getatme]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 2:11am

Bierko never did any of the stunts. Leon Grunchbunkle coming out to swing Amanda Thripp by the pigtails as well as the two body doubles during Smell of Rebellion have been in place since his first performance.

[jman16]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 3:50am

Can we start talking replacements yet? Or do we think Chris will take over full-time?

I'd love to see what Christopher Sieber or Michael Cerveris could do with the Trunchbull.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 7:46am

Michael Reidel is reporting today that it's likely Bierko won't return.

http://nypost.com/2013/10/11/musicals-leads-ill-at-ease/

Because of how taxing the role is and what's happened with Bierko, my guess is they'll likely just bump up Chris Hoch. Funny that this is the same position Hoch was in a few years ago when he stepped in for Jeffrey Tambor in the LA CAGE revival after he exited the show rather suddenly.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 9:50am

Bierko was a baffling choice from the moment he was announced--a traditional leading man/matinee idol type in a quirky character role. I imagine that Riedel is correct and his "temporary" leave will become permanent sooner rather than later.

Btw, I'm curious. The article describes it as a medical leave. Does that mean Bierko is still receiving a salary (or portion of salary) during his absence?

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 10:08am

I think the truth is somewhere in between. Most people don't HATE his acting performance as Trunchbull, but it is noted that he can't do the stunts. Bierko's done enough stage stuff to know how to work the theatre, unlike some of the other "dropped out for medical reasons" stars. I"m guessing he genuinely thought he could do the stunts, found that he couldn't, and that he was never going to be able to.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 10:14am

^^^ I agree with that. I am sure the injury was genuine but I also feel it was a good way to get out of a situation that while originally seemed like a good idea, was not.

He was no Bertie but he shouldn't have had to be and he was ok in the role. The audience accepted him fully the time when I saw him. He wasn't amazing but he was ok.

But he also couldn't do what was required of him physically...and so it was time to step down. I can't say I am sorry I saw him in the role, he had nothing to be embarrassed about - it was just not going to work out.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 10:26am

I never understood the casting either - his stage career is far from starry: imitating Robert Preston in a merely OK revival of The Music Man, turning in a truly forgettable Sky Masterson in a flop revival of Guys and Dolls, and the uber-flop Thou Shalt Not. He certainly hasn't demonstrated the character acting chops to succeed in a role as colorful, challenging, and bizarre as Trunchbull.

If he were a particularly hot movie or TV star, I could see that perhaps the producers thought he might sell some tickets, but although he works in those media pretty often, I don't think he's what anyone would call "box office," is he?

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 12:28pm

Not sure how serious Riedel is being when he says to cast an actor who will camp it up in the role, but I sincerely hope actors like Fierstein stay as far away from the role of Trunchbull as possible. I think one of the reasons Bertie was so brilliant in the role was that he approached the character like any other character: as a person. And, it just so happened that this person was a woman.

Playing an extreme character is one thing; camping it up in a role is another. And, personally, I don’t think Miss Trunchbull is a role to camp it up in.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 7:49pm

GilmoreGirl.

Couldn't agree more. Hoch (and Bertie even) succeeded because they were acting the roll of Trunchball. We don't need stunt casting

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/11/13 at 7:55pm

1. Trunchball is not a piece of bread. It's a role.
2. Bierko was hardly stunt casting.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 10/12/13 at 12:00am

Hoch was on fire tonight. I saw him about a month ago, and Bertie twice. Hoch really gave an amazing performance tonight and is coming into his own Trunch. He made some fantastic character choices that Bertie didnt, and sang all the songs really, really well. Much more improved than a month ago. I highly recommend seeing him.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 10/12/13 at 9:40am

Ljaj

Thank you for your sarcastic reply

1 sorry my iPhone autocorrected
2 if you read the post I was responding to you would note that I was referring to the suggestion that they bring in Harvey or someone else to boost the sales

I would rather misspell than be unable to follow a few posts. Have a lovely day

[ChrisShort]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 5:19am

Updated On: 10/14/13 at 05:19 AM

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 6:29am

Calling Lea Delaria!

Updated On: 10/14/13 at 06:29 AM

[musicaltheatreman2]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 10:09am

can someone tell me why Michele Pawk (Mamma Mia), Jenna Elfman (Nine) left these shows or did not start? Thank you?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 10:55am

Pawk had vocal difficulties in Mamma Mia. At one point, there was audio on that site of her, and it wasn't pretty. She's a great performer, but it was clear that Mamma Mia was not the right vehicle for her voice type. I don't remember how long she stayed in the show before bowing out (though I do know she missed many performances).

As for Elfman, I don't think she ever actually began performances. I think her opening was delayed, then put off altogether, with her understudy, Sarah Gettelfinger (who by all accounts was wonderful), assuming the role.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 12:03pm

I saw Pawk as Donna in "Mamma Mia" she looked fabulous and sexy, she acted the hell out of the role but vocally - while not terrible - was an off fit. She was in no means a trainwreck though.

[musicaltheatreman2]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 12:47pm

Where can i her Pawks vocals for Mamma Mia???

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 7:50pm

"As for Elfman, I don't think she ever actually began performances. I think her opening was delayed, then put off altogether, with her understudy, Sarah Gettelfinger (who by all accounts was wonderful), assuming the role."

That is correct, adamgreer. The day before what was supposed to be her first day it was announced that the creatives felt she needed more rehearsal time for the aerial entrance for "A Phone Call from the Vatican" and that Gettelfinger, who was the understudy, would be performing until Elfman was ready. A few days later it was announced that Elfman was out and Gettelfinger would be taking on the role permanently. Sadly the show closed about two months later in December, and about three weeks or so earlier than the originally announced beginning of January. I guess John Stamos just wasn't able to bring in the numbers that they were hoping to keep the show running through that holiday season after Banderas left.

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 10/14/13 at 9:21pm

Hate me people. But the wanting to hear pawk. I recorded her. You don't accept direct messages.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 10/16/13 at 8:52am

A audio of Chris Hoch, singing SOR just got posted! Excellent! He defientely should take over from Bierko.

http://harrywormwood.tumblr.com/post/64182218635

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 10/16/13 at 12:59pm

Not that I didn't LOVE Hoch when I saw him in the role last month, but now I want to see Ben Thompson. Perhaps to see his legs in the tiny dresses, but alas he is great in the show already, and I'd love the see reactions of him in the big role.