Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.

[rorschach37]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#1

Posted: 2/7/11 at 10:53am

According to his facebook, Michael is doing another show at the Public and will be departing the same night as Billie Joe Armstrong.

[Yero my Hero]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#2

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:00am

He's in AN INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE... It was announced last Friday: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/147351-Cast-Complete-for-Kushners-Intelligent-Homosexuals-Guide-at-the-Public

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

Updated On: 2/7/11 at 11:00 AM

[Yero my Hero]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#2

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:03am

Oh, sorry, I was wrong. That announcement came last Friday, but Esper was announced in December.

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

[dramamama611]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#3

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:03am

I would suspect that as they near their one year mark (I know I didn't think it would last this long!) I'm sure we'll be hearing of more and more departures.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[billyboyA]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#4

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:04am

I saw the show a couple of weeks ago, and saw his understudy, Van Hughes, who BLEW ME AWAY!! I didn't even realize it WAS an understudy, because I wasn't clear on the character names until mid-way through the show. So I REALLY hope the producers put Van into the role full time, because I felt he was one of the STRONGEST parts of the show for me - and that's saying a LOT, because the rest of the cast is incredible... and that role is maybe the least interesting of the three guys. But there was something very very special about Van. He deserves to take on the role full time, if you ask me.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#5

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:11am

I hope they close the show.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#6

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:14am

I doubt Van Hughes will get bumped up to the role full time. He's the standby for the three male leads (Johnny, Will and Tunny), so it would be easier to hire someone to play Will rather than hire someone to learn all three roles. Also, I've heard amazing things about Van in the other roles (especially Johnny), so I would imagine the producers will want to keep him where he is.

[Yero my Hero]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#7

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:15am

Van covers all three leads, so if more actors are leaving the show soon, he may end up in one of the other roles.

On the other hand, it is much more expensive to cast and rehearse a new understudy who covers multiple roles than a new lead actor, so it happens a lot that when an actor leaves, they cast someone new instead of bumping up the understudy. It's just a reality, and it depends on what they can afford to do and if they think the cost will be worth the reward.

EDIT: BroadwayGuy12 beat me to it. :)

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

Updated On: 2/7/11 at 11:15 AM

[frogs_fan85]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#8

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:20am

Van is fantastic in all three roles that he covers. And as BroadwaGuy and Yero said I would imagine that it would be easier to keep him where he is than having someone new come in to cover those roles.
Updated On: 2/7/11 at 11:20 AM

[Blockhead24]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#9

Posted: 2/7/11 at 11:22am

EDIT: Sorry nothing to see here Updated On: 2/7/11 at 11:22 AM

[RemarkableTimes]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#10

Posted: 2/7/11 at 12:30pm

Van won't be taking over the role of Will, the new actor coming in has already been hired, but not announced.

[rorschach37]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#11

Posted: 2/7/11 at 1:03pm

@Remarkabletimes:

Is said actor a "name" or an unknown?

[billyboyA]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#12

Posted: 2/7/11 at 7:09pm

That's really a shame for Van - he's FAR too interesting and talented an actor to be stuck as a standby...

But that's Bway business, right? Ask Julie Reiber fans - why she stayed as just the standby for Elphaba for SO long is beyond anyone's comprehension who had the joy to watch her play the role...

So, here's my vote that some producer will see Van's talent and give him his own leading role to create in something upcoming.

[musicalman2]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#13

Posted: 2/7/11 at 8:24pm

I think Van will be taking over the role of Johnny when John Gallagher leaves. Van is great.

[RazzleDazzle3]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#14

Posted: 2/8/11 at 2:29am

Updated On: 2/8/11 at 02:29 AM

[shrekster224]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#15

Posted: 2/8/11 at 10:05am

Justin Guarini is joining the cast in March. As Will?

[RemarkableTimes]

Michael Esper to leave American Idiot Feb. 27.#16

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:15am

Either as Will or St. Jimmy. Either way, I'm giving that decision the side-eye.