George Lee Andrews leaving PHANTOM

After 24 years in the show, his contract has not been renewed... BUT... his son-in-law is taking over for him!! Crazy... lol I lstumbled across this on facebook when I clicked on his name on someone's friend list (thought his name sounded familiar from the boards). (First I typed "literally stumbled" but realized I might catch some flack for that one...).
http://www.facebook.com/notes/george-lee-andrews/news/10150726745350721

Updated On: 7/16/11 at 10:30 PM

I don't know... he seems kind of bummed!

That's a bit of a dick move...

Didn't they also fire his long-time co-star (and the guy he would occasionally swap roles with), Jeff Keller, a few years ago, too?

Who knows why they finally moved on, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was just money. But, IMO, it's been long past time for Andrews to bow out. His performance is stale and phoned-in and has been for 10 years. I'm happy they are bringing in some fresh faces. My understanding of the role switching between him and Keller was that Prince wanted to replace them both but decided to flip them around instead to keep it fresh. It wasn't a choice they had, it was 'do this or you're out'.

I believe Keller was fired for theft and not because of his performance, or that was the story I heard at the time.

How fantastic for an actor to work for 24 years and be continuely employed. How many actors can say that they have experienced that? Not that many, I would think.

Best of luck to him.

Strange. Wow. I wish him well in his next adventure(s.)

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Jeff Keller was fired for theft? That's interesting, if it's true. Theft of property? Theft of funds? Just not the kind of thing you hear everyday connected to Broadway.

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Updated On: 6/17/17 at 07:34 PM

I loved George Lee Andrews in "A Little Night Music." I saw it when it aired and have watched it many times since. George was the original Frid and understudied Len Cariou, too.

I also love him on the Starting Here, Starting Now recording.

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before the cookie-cutter performances we've seen since the mid 90s.

Jennifer Hope Wills was, to me, the beacon of change this past decade with the Broadway production. Her performance was truly inspired, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see a Christine as active, engaged, and rather dangerous/messy as hers was.

And Sean MacLaughlin (who was in the NY production for far too short a time) was an extraordinary Raoul. He stole the show, for me, when I saw PHANTOM in January.

I firmly believe that the best times to see long-running shows are when they hire actors who play the play on their own terms within the framework of the original staging. Wills, MacLaughlin, John Cudia, and Ryan Silverman are, in my opinion, inspired recent examples.

A note on Sara Jean Ford: She is also an exciting Christine... I still feel very conflicted about her interpretation, and that's what I love about her work in the role. At least back in January, her Christine came off as rather ambiguous and dark, so the cogs are still turning in my head.

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Updated On: 7/18/11 at 01:41 AM

That Keller thing is just bizarre. I was surprised he was there one minute and then just gone. The thought of any criminal activity would have never entered my mind. Kinda professionally embarrassing way to go. Anyone know what he is doing now?

Andrews had a great run, a gift in theater for both him and his family. But, the producers have a responsibility to the public. If it is time for an actor to move on....then they should move on. It's a shame that it is not as easy to let some of the ensemble members go. Yes, Miss Saigon ensemble I am talking to you.

If the current Piangi is heading out, did they just bump up his understudy, who I heard was pretty good. I know they are looking for a Piangi cover/ensemble member.

"But his son-in-law did get the role. But to be honest he is REALLY young."

While he will be younger than people have gotten used to seeing, I'm not sure I would classify 32 as REALLY young (though as somebody who is a year younger than Aaron I'm more than happy to know that I can still pass for REALLY young).