Jonathan's Claude vs Christorpher's Claude

[GatorNY]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 3:00pm

Has anyone been lucky enough to see both actors' portrayal of Claude in "Hair"? If the show were to transfer, who would be more likely to play the part during an open ended run? I saw Hanke in "Cry-Baby"...and I like him even more after seeing him as Claude.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 3:03pm

Hanke is a much better actor, but Groff was a better singer and more confident peformer. Perhaps Hanke will gain confidence with time.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 3:48pm

Thanks for your insight.

[logan0215]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 4:00pm

I'm hoping to have the chance to see Hanke, but I really enjoyed Groff when I saw him. I actually found his acting stronger than his singing as he was very much struggling through his final songs at our performance...

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 4:00pm

While we're asking for input from people who have seen both, I gotta know--what about looks? Hanke to me looks quite a bit older than Groff, which I feel would work against the character. Does this make any difference?

And who rocks the wig better??

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 4:13pm

He can't look older than Jim Rado who was 38 (and bald) when when he created the role. I think someone else wrote that the Hanke and Groff have completely different wigs/styles.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 5:29pm

The playbill had Groff's picture wearing his wig, but no photos of him "in uniform". Comparing this photo to seeing Hanke live last night...I have to give the award for "best looking Claude" to Hanke. He looked really great in his jeans as well...

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 8/22/08 at 12:48am

I saw tonight's performance, which was magic as usual. (I truly love this production of Hair.) I also had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Groff a few weeks ago. Mr. Hanke gives a very powerful performance. It is different, but very good.

Go see Hair!

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 2:01pm

I was lucky enough to see both Claudes, and I have to say, I found Groff's performance to be much more moving. I think Christopher Hanke is very talented, but he didn't grab me the way Groff did and I didn't think he developed the chemistry with his co-stars yet the way Groff did.

[gypsiedtokill]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 5:26pm

I saw both of them and while they were both wonderful performances, Jonathan Groff had the chemistry with the tribe that made the show that much more spectacular. One of my favorite elements of the show was Jonathan and Will Swenson's relationship, which had obviously been developed over a rather extensive period of time, and that just wasn't there with Christopher.
Christopher Hanke's was a solid performance, but he just doesn't have the history with the rest of the cast that Groff had. I'll be excited to see him progress as he develops relationships with everyone.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 7:05pm

They need to strip to the waist and wrestle for the part on the Great Lawn.

Groff was Hanke's u/s in IN MY LIFE right?

[greybaby231]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 7:08pm

Pretty much what most everyone else said:
Hanke gave a better performance, but Groff had a better chemistry with the tribe which made his performance more appealing to the audience. Both men, however, were phenomenal in the role.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 10:48am

Now that Christopher has had more time in the role...and more people may have seen both actors...who gets the part if it transfers?

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 10:58am

I have to say, Hanke is improving a lot. He seems much more comfortable in the role, but I still prefer Groff. Rumors are they want Groff for the transfer, but who knows if that's true.

[stupidbeans]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 11:19am

does anyone have a picture or a video of him