Joe Cassidy as Freddy Benson

[pianoman68]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 6:50pm

Wow...This guy is awesome. I just can't imagine how Butz could be better. He stole the show. His voice is great. He and Lithgow were quite a team. It was as though had a special connection - it was like they performed the show together every night. Cassidy was also physically similar to Butz. He was a very nice at the stage door. Anyone else see him?

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 7:00pm

I haven't seen him, but it's always nice when I hear about him going on and getting such a positive reaction from the audience. I saw Butz in the role and thought he was great, but I've also heard several discussions about how the role of Freddy will be impossible to cast for the road without a big name. Joe Cassidy's living proof that no matter how wonderful Butz is in the role, he is not irreplaceable, and I'd love to see up-and-comers get a shot at such a juicy role. After all, even Norbert made a real name for himself replacing the iconic performances of Alan Cumming and Adam Pascal.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 7:04pm

Yay! It's great to hear that people like Joe! It's gotta be so hard going into a role that so many love and know as Norbert's and to be so worried that you're going to disappoint. Yay for Joe!!

[timote316]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 7:12pm

Norbert didn't replace Alan in anything. He played the same role on a tour (the Emcee in Cabaret), but thats different than replacing someone on Broadway.

[CurtainUp]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 7:25pm

Good for Mr. Cassidy!!! I saw him as Andre - he was wonderful - , and wondered how much better Jbara could really be. Cassidy had wonderful chemistry wiht Joanna too - sounds ilke he's just excellent at working with everyone!

To pull off both roles takes so muhc talent too!

Updated On: 7/9/05 at 07:25 PM

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 2:33am

I didn't care at all for Joe Cassidy's performance as Freddy Benson. I thought he did pretty well as Andre though. If I went to the theater again and saw that Norbert wasn't starring that day, I'd exchange my tickets. I also think it will be very hard to replace Norbert on Broadway and on the road.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 2:44am

I'm hoping to see Joe as Freddy in Broadway in Bryant Park. As for replacing Norbert, I'm still dead-set on the idea of Christopher Fitzgerald. I think he could fill those shoes pretty well.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 9:03am

Chris would be amazing as Freddy. I love that idea, thespiengeek.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 9:33am

Reminds me of when we went to see Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria

She was out & we debated whether or not to see it or ask for refunds. We stayed & saw Anne Runealfson play the role & she was great. Most times the understudy is just as good & sometimes they are better than the originals. We were glad we stayed . Many times we have seen a show when a key person is out but makes no difference

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 1:13pm

I completely agree with you, Mr. Roxy! I have seen MANY understudies and thought they were sensational, but Joe Cassidy as Freddy just didn't do it for me. Norbert has a unique impish quality. And I do love his distinctive voice. I thought Joe Cassidy was kind of boring as Freddy, but as Andre he was adorable. Joe's very likable--perhaps that's part of the problem. You have to both like and be appalled by the Freddy character...and he has to be just silly enough to be sympathetic.

I think it's really hard for anyone to take over for someone who created a role. Then again, I saw Eden Espinosa as Elphaba last year when Idina was on vacation, and I thought she was just as good as Idina (who I saw do the role 6 times). It's all personal preference, you know? Hey, I didn't enjoy Spamalot at all dedspite the NY Times hailing it as the best new musical of the year. I also thought Robert Goulet was great in La Cage aux Folles, and most people on this board have been brutal in their criticism of his performance.

And the longest running Broadway musical of all-time is CATS. YUK!!!! But lots of people disagree with my review!

Anyway, no disrespect to Joe Cassidy intended. He's a talented guy.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 1:15pm

Welcome Morebroadwayplease (pianoman, idinamenzelfan, et al)

*That, or MBP stole pianoman's name....for his sn.

Updated On: 7/10/05 at 01:15 PM

[movieinmymind]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 1:11am

oh, wow, i just found this today! shame on me!

well, pianoma68, i saw the show the same day that you started this thread; july 9, and i saw joe cassidy perform for freddy. he was AMAZING. i loved, loved his performance! i mean, at the beginning, i kept on thinking, "he isn't norbert leo butz. omg, i can't believe this happened to me....ect." but, as the show went on, i kinda forgot that he was just an understudy, because, well, he was really good! and, i looove his voice! (however, now that it's been over a month, i'm starting to forget what it sounded like cuz i've been listening to norbert's voice on the recording so much!) ah, well. plus, i also got to meet him at the stage door, and he is just SO NICE! i mean, i can understand, cuz, usually he's just an ensemble member, so the extra attention must be nice. i got a picture taken with him and his signature. when i was hanging out at the stage door, all i had in my hand at the time was the $10 program, and my mom was like, "open it! quick! he's here!" so, i just opened it to sara g's page, and when he got it, he's like, "you want me to sign on sara's page!? *laughs* here, i'll there's a picture i'm in here somewhere...*flips through the entire book, finds his picture, and signs it*. i felt so bad, b/c he took so much time in finding the picture! lol. and, he was also the last one to leave. he actually waited for the crowd to die, and i was one of the last ones remaining, which was when i found it to be a good time to ask for a picture. he's a really cool guy! :)

plus, i know that he also did the last five years after norb did it. (i think) he always seems to be his shadow! lol

Updated On: 8/11/05 at 01:11 AM