Playing Thomas Sadoski's role from December 5-25 while Sadoski is off shooting a pilot.
...I now have 1 more reason to run and see this.
Matthew Risch Steps IN
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
Hot.
(Cue the "lucky he's with the director" conversation. True. But damn. Still hot.)
I thought someone would bring up that he and Channing played lovers in the revival of Pal Joey and are now "mother and son" in this. Welp.
And I thought he was with Andrew Rannells?
(Look at me, I'm a regular Gossip Girl.)
It's it the Broadway.com article. Of course Paul Wontorek would mention it.
And what do you mean, he's with the director?
Matthew Risch and Joe Mantello are life partners, now working together on Mantello's ex's show...AWKWARD
Still, I think this triangle would be a great idea for a new musical...A Five, Six, Seven, Eight!
Double!
Damn! I wanna get to the city to see this!!!! Risch is divine! I just adore him. I don't think he's been given his due. He's a talented guy.
Last I knew, Rannells was with Matt's ex...
Updated On: 11/21/11 at 10:44 PM
Who's Matt's ex? Denis Jones, right?
I would assume a new u/s for the role of Trip would also be brought in for these three weeks just in case Risch gets sick or injured.
It's a gay LaRonde or HELLO AGAIN.
The people are all very talented and they have names: Andrew Ranellis, Denis Jones, Matt Risch, Joe Mantello.
If they were heterosexual, we would all relish in the partner swapping. Why demonize these four?
I wish Matthew Risch well.
It was Denis Jones that I was thinking of. Dank for the reminder.
In additional news, Thomas Sadoski will depart the production on January 8, 2011, to continue work on his new pilot.
Sadoski out January 8th, 2011
With Stockard out this week due to her knee injury, this leaves very few performances left with the full original broadway cast. I hope to see them together at least two more times. And yes, I am planning on going in December to see Risch as well.
There's always been sexual gossip and rumors about heterosexuals in the theatre. Why not a little gay stuff with attractive, talented, healthy, out, succesful men?
None of them are murderers just guys with sex lives.
Throw in Nick Adams, Max VonEssen. Jonathon Groff and Gavin Creel and you have a novella.
I just wish the gay love lives were as publicized as the straight ones. :)
I wonder how Risch is in the role, I thought Sadoski was so wonderful in a somewhat underwritten part and he had such great chemistry with Rachel Griffiths! I'd love to see Risch's take on the part though.
I wonder if Risch will permanently replace Sadoski after January 8th. I guess December will be his tryout period...
Fingers crossed that Risch will be excellent.
I believe Sadoski had perfect attendance at Lincoln Center, this will be Risch's first shot at performing the role.
I look forward to seeing him, he's certainly multi-talented.
Risch and Channing are going from playing lovers in PAL JOEY to mother and son in ODC. I can't say that won't be on my mind when watching them together, especially since I thought they had potent sexual chemistry in the former show.
I see nothing wrong in speculating on the possibly nepotistic nature of Matthew Risch's employment, particularly since the only time I've seen him perform (Pal Joey), I found him to be utterly unsuited for a principal role on Broadway.
If, however, you're a fan of Risch, that's fine - but that doesn't rule out the fact that he was given his most prominent job thus far by his spouse and (to most people) failed in it (reminiscent of Charles Foster Kane and Susan Alexander, or, less fictionally, the career of George Bush).
I don't think there's anything wrong with that speculation, either. I also don't think people should act like it's the first time any of this has happened. As you seem to be pointing out, newintown, people get jobs all the time through nepotistic connections, and especially in this industry. Many have gotten jobs through their lover, or a parent, or a well-connected mentor/teacher.
Actually, I seem to remember an interview with Channing from the Off Broadway run where she mentioned that the initial understudy dropped out, and Risch was given the job at the last minute. I'm sure it didn't hurt that he's lovers with the director and a close friend of the star, but still, it's hardly the first time.
One possible positive spin to put on this instance, too, is that it's a visible example of gay nepotism, which (I believe) is usually less apparent than the heterosexual variety (barring, of course, the famous example of poor little Chester Kallman's entire career being the result of his relationship with Auden). It's a kind of equality...
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
I think Risch is a great actor and will be wonderful in the role. I agree that he was not suited for the role of PJ, but that was due to his lacking vocals. Even with all the nepotism in the world, I don't think he would have gotten this particular gig if he didn't have the talent to back it up.
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