Hoff Withdraws from PAL JOEY, Risch Takes Over

In one of those star-making stories, relative-newcomer Matthew Risch has permanently assumed the role of Joey Evans in Roundabout's revival of PAL JOEY. He takes over for Christian Hoff, who has withdrawn from the production after injury.

YES, the reason for his departure IS the injury.

Opening has been moved to Dec. 18.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123636.html

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 04:32 PM

So I'm guessing Hoff's injury was more serious than they originally thought? Get well soon, and good luck to Risch!

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Uh...they did put someone else in at the last minute. His name is Matthew Risch.

If you're implying that he's a nobody, I respectfully submit the name of the previous Joey, Christian Hoff.

When Matthew's finished taking over Pal Joey, I have another role he can assume.

Didn't someone on here say that this is the same thing that happened to another Broadway revival of Pal Joey, with mediocre results?

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Updated On: 11/24/08 at 04:41 PM

I feel so lucky to have seen one of the nine previews that Christian played...

Christian Hoff is a big star compared to Matt Risch! Don't even compare the two. Hoff has a tony award and has just come off being in one of the biggest hits of the past 5 years.

I know of at least 5 different middle aged women who are hardcore Jersey Boys fans who bought tickets to Pal Joey purely because Christian Hoff was starring in it. He may not have packed them in for an open ended commerical production but for a limited run for a rounabout production Hoff was most certainly part of the draw. Not the only draw but part of it.

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 04:48 PM

Who says those middle-aged ladies who bought tickets to see Christian Hoff won't fall in love with Matthew Risch?

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Whatever the reason for Hoff's departure from the show, it may be providential for him that it happened. Hoff's performance has been criticized from the get-go, and if it's as unsatisfactory as many have claimed, it's just as well that he didn't do the opening night where he might have been publicly lambasted by the critics, probably doing his career considerable harm. I've never seen the understudy -- never even heard of him before all this happened -- but I'm at least going to it with higher expectations than before.

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In about 1976 Edward Villela (Yes, THE Edward Villela) played one preview as Joey and quit saying he was not comfortable singing. He was replaced with his understudy, Christopher Chadman.

After the fourth preview Eleanor Parker playing Vera also quit and she was replaced with her understudy, a well-thought-of working actress named Joan Copeland (who happens to be Arthur Miller's sister).

Both replacements were fine in spite of not being quite right for their roles. The production was the problem and it played a subscription run to quarter houses during the week.

Tony winner Janie Sell, Joe Sirola (a great character actor) and Dixie Carter as Melba rounded out the cast.

[How do you spell Villela? Villella? Vilela? I haven't a clue.]

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"Hoff has a tony award and has just come off being in one of the biggest hits of the past 5 years.

I know of at least 5 different middle aged women who are hardcore Jersey Boys fans who bought tickets to Pal Joey purely because Christian Hoff was starring in it. He may not have packed them in for an open ended commerical production but for a limited run for a rounabout production Hoff was most certainly part of the draw. Not the only draw but part of it."

Noel&Cole, key words there are "HARDCORE Jersey Boys fans." So obviously they would know who Christian Hoff is. Aside from HARDCORE fans and Broadway fanatics, not many people know who he is. I have a feeling for this one, the people who bought it simply because it is PAL JOEY (or because they wanted to see a good show) outnumber hardcore Christian Hoff fans. And just because you win a Tony Award in a hit show doesn't automatically make you well-known among the general public. I doubt many people are going to walk away disappointed based on the fact Risch is replacing Hoff.

Besides, I would think the most recognizable person in this cast to the general public is Stockard Channing, who has extensive TV and movie credits.


EDIT: And you are right, there are going to be some people who are disappointed. But not enough to seriously hurt ticket sales or having many people demand refunds. In general, people won't really care.

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Updated On: 11/24/08 at 05:03 PM

Headlining/starring in a Broadway revival/musical/show does NOT make a star, unfortunately.

Not by the stretch of any imagination.

Exactly, BrodyFosse123...I am a huge Sutton fan, but not a lot of people I know have the slightest clue who she is (or even care).

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