Craig Bierko & Jill Paice in MATILDA

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/5/13 at 2:52pm

Did/has anyone seen them as Trunchbull & Miss Honey (respectively, of course) yet?

[willep]

Posted: 9/5/13 at 2:53pm

I don't think Bierko has gone on yet. They delayed his start date.

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 9/5/13 at 6:54pm

I'm curious too to hear what people think of Jill Paice as Miss Honey. I can't wait to see her in the show!

[Matt1]

Posted: 9/5/13 at 7:08pm

Bierko is hurt and not in the show yet. He says soon. I also want to hear what people thought of Paice. Looking forward to seeing them both soon.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 9/5/13 at 8:27pm

Anybody know when Craig is expected to join the show?

[astinjeremy]

Posted: 9/5/13 at 8:56pm

Saw the show last night. I thought Jill did a really good job, but I do not have anything to compare it to.

[darquegk]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 3:28pm

I know some people on other threads were speculating that Bierko just didn't know the part yet and was "hurt," like Mya or Jeffrey Tambor. However, Tambor and Mya never had to do Olympic stunts in a show as well as sing and dance, so I'm more than willing to believe Bierko might have actually hurt himself.

[frankenleeestein]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 7:42pm

Is Chris Hoch playing Miss Trunchbull until he comes back, or are they kind of taking it day-by-day with other understudies?

[jackieoh]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 8:55pm

I'm looking forward to see Jill Paice. I thought Lauren Ward was delivering an incredibly heart-breaking and profound performance as Miss Honey, all while maintaining the subtlety of her character. Her last show left quite an impression on me.

I'm going to let Paice and Bierko settle into the show before I see it.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 9:03pm

not alwys the world's best Authority, but ibdb has Hoch listed as Trunchbill. So I'm guessing he's the temporary replacement. Didn't he replace Tambor in La Cage until Sieber came in too?

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 9:50pm

Any update when it's likely to see Craig take to the role? I've heard "it won't be long" -- but, how long *is* that?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/6/13 at 9:57pm

I'm guessing until he feels comfortable enough in the role to go on. I....I...mean, until he heals. Yes, heals.

[getatme]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:03am

Hoch will most likely be on next week and Bierko will start the following week. He threw out his back during rehearsals.

I lost lotto on Tuesday evening, but $42 tickets were offered to the "non-winners." I ended up sitting in the rear orchestra.

I was really impressed with Hoch's performance. He plays it much more masculine than Bertie did, but he's come up with a lot of his own bits and moments that the whole cast adjusted to and worked with.

I wasn't entirely thrilled with Jill Paice's performance. I thought she was serviceable, really. Her acting ranged from sincere and sweet to a little bit too character and comedic. I think Lauren struck a good balance between being sincere, heartbreaking, and a little offbeat. Paice is still finding her footing I think, but I'm sure she'll get there. Her voice didn't impress me very much, I feel like I had to wait until "My House" to actually get to hear her sing. Where Lauren had a really powerful belt and a very strong head voice, I think Jill has a pretty weak--at times almost inaudible--head voice and a decent belt.

Either way, I think she's a decent enough replacement for Lauren, and it's a shame that Hoch won't be playing the role full time. I think Bierko now has not just one pair of shoes to fill, but two.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:09am

By 'next week', you figure Bierko will be on the week of the 15th?

[getatme]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:42am

Yes, sorry, someone told me the week of the 15th should be his first week.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 12:57am

WHOAAA...I'm more interested in the $42 rear orch seats...what a deal! How did they go about distributing these?

[getatme]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 1:08am

They call all the names for lotto and then I guess if they have an excess of tickets left, they have the "non-winners" line up and they're lead into the box office to buy the $42 tickets.

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 3:16am

Anyone can actually buy the $42 tickets. You can buy them online or at the box office any time. I did twice already (but had to give the second one away to a friend since I couldn't make the show.) But I sat there for the first preview and I was pleased with the seat for only paying $37 (if you buy it in person you should be able to skip the extra fees.) Definitely worth looking into!

BTW- has any pictures surfaced yet of Jill in her Miss Honey costume? I haven't found any, but I'm anxious to see her in costume! Thanks! :p
Updated On: 9/7/13 at 03:16 AM

[MorningGlow2]

Posted: 9/7/13 at 11:26pm

Found this today! First photo I've seen of Jill Paice as Miss Honey.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 9/8/13 at 12:01am

Jill Paice was fantastic tonight in the show. She really knocked it out of the park, vocally and emotionally. Loved her. Chris was a good Trunch, but very masculine. It was 100% obvious he was a man playing a woman, where with Bertie, no one could really tell. But MEGA kudos to Chris for going on this week and doing a great job in the role! Bailey was also on tonight - HOLY crap that girls got it. Sensational as Matilda.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 9/8/13 at 12:15am

Is the PLAYBILL still in color?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 9/8/13 at 12:15pm

Yes, the playbill is still in color.

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/8/13 at 12:52pm

I know some people on other threads were speculating that Bierko just didn't know the part yet and was "hurt," like Mya or Jeffrey Tambor. However, Tambor and Mya never had to do Olympic stunts in a show as well as sing and dance, so I'm more than willing to believe Bierko might have actually hurt himself.


Bierko is also a trained musical theatre performer with tons of experience, which neither Mya nor Tambor (though an actor who'd done theatre previously) was. But casting dispersions is much more interesting than the simple fact that he hurt himself and needs some time to recover.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 9/8/13 at 2:32pm

@Millie

Wait, they sell $42 dollar orchestra seats online? Or are you referring to the rear balcony seats?

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 9/8/13 at 2:54pm

I was talking about the rear balcony seats.