"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actor Tom Lenk Joins Rock of Ages

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 12:36pm

He was hilarious in the last 2 seasons of Buffy.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/132388-Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer_Star_Tom_Lenk_to_Join_Broadway%27s_Rock_of_Ages

[Leia947]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 12:41pm

I *heart* Tom Lenk.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 2:08pm

I'm very impressed with the replacement actors Rock of Ages is hiring as the original cast starts to leave.

Savannah worked out as Sherrie2 and I look froward to seeing Kerry Butler as Sherrie3.

Wesley Taylor will be very missed, he has that special quality that makes him a huge fan favorite. But after seeing some of Tom Lenk's videos on YouTube, he seems custom cut for the role of Franz, and has played the part before.

I am glad I got to see the original cast with Amy Spanger, and then again with Savannah. I was originally thinking of going to see the show once more before Wesley leaves, but I think I will wait a couple weeks to see Kerry and Tom.

The only (albeit temporary) replacement I am not sure about is Don Stephenson as Hertz. From the feedback on this board it sounds like he plays the part in a sinister fashion. Paul Schoeffler played the part as a sweet comic villain, which I liked. Plus, Paul's booming voice is just delicious. I will keep an open mind on Don though.

I've said this before, I think Constantine would be very difficult to replace (terrific voice and excellent comic acting). It's good for the future of the show that he has extended.
Updated On: 8/31/09 at 02:08 PM

[perfectliar]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 2:30pm

I had no interest in this show whatsoever, but with Kerry Butler and Tom Lenk sharing the stage.... I MUST GO.

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 2:34pm

Always nice to see Buffy alumni getting good jobs. Tom's a fantastic comedic actor, so I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 2:39pm

The episode of Buffy that he narrates is hilarious.

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 9:58pm

It's nice to hear that the producers of RoA have finally decided to give the "original" Franz his much-deserved Broadway debut. Hopefully, Tom can bring as much to the Broadway production as he did with the Los Angeles and Las Vegas productions.

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 10:08pm

You're making the assumption he was not asked to do ROA by the producers. Maybe they did invite him and he turned it down.

[joshy]

Posted: 8/31/09 at 11:04pm

He was so, so great in Buffy, especially in 'Storyteller'. Him and Kerry Butler make this show, which otherwise would be my idea of HELL, sound pretty tempting. (Also, sorry to lower the tone, but has anyone noticed he is wayyy hotter now than he was in the Buffy days?!)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 12:28am

I just wish they had cheaper tickets to this. The rush tickets don't seem worth it with the partial view and whatnot.

I enjoyed the show, and I can't imagine someone replacing Constantine because his voice was made for this style of music. The fact that he can sing the part 8x a week and is rarely out, speaks to his professionalism and his vocal abilities.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 1:03am

I never thought I'd want to see a show I previously had no interest in simply because of a casting replacement.

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 1:48am

The producers and creative team are smart. Make a show for people who have little or no interest in theater and then cast it with people that make broadway geeks cream! Brilliant!!!

[JP2]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 6:56am

I don't see how Kerry and Tom can suddenly make someone like this show. If you don't like the show as is, I'm 100% certain you won't like it after the new cast members come in. Unless of course you're just a giant sheep.

Either way, I'm still very excited. But Kerry and Tom have massive shoes to fill. :)

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 7:04am

Isn't Lenk essentially filling his own shoes?

[JP2]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 7:23am

Well, as he said in the article, the role has transformed a lot since he's played it.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 9:03am

I don't know about technicalities, but Wesley Taylor gets credit for originating the part on Broadway.

In my book, Tom gets huge kudos for coming up with the show's best sight gag; which totally brings down the house.

Even if he doesn't have Wesley's bod, Tom should have a lot of fun with the part, and that should translate into fun for the audience too.

For those who are thinking of going to ROA because of Kerry and/or Tom but are holding their noses... Don't overthink things or go with a preconceived notion that you will hate the show.

The show is fun, and fun is not a four-letter word.

Updated On: 9/1/09 at 09:03 AM

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 10:20am

I love Tom.
AfterElton.com article