Question: Johnny T in Beauty and the Beast

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 6:11pm

How is he and Jonathan Freeman? I went to see this for the first time when Donny joined the show and it was just ok. I wasn't going to see it again but now they've joined. Is it worth going to see again just for them? Are there any pics?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 8:33pm

bump

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 8:38pm

How long is he going to be with the show? I want to see him, but... not particularly it. I'm debating.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 8:50pm

Hmm...I saw it on their second night in the show. Jonathon Freeman was spot on as Cogsworth. Tartaglia was also good, and moves really well, but missed a couple jokes (though I'm probably too judgmental because I've played the role). But they both have great energy and are highlights in the lackluster show, and probably keep improving every performance.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:02pm

I mean, I thought they were great...I've always loved John, and I don't really have much to compare them to..haven't seen the show multiple times...

But after their first performance I was talking to a huge Beauty and the Beast fan who wasn't familiar with either so she certainly went in with no preconceived notions like I did...and she loved them. She's seen the show a lot and she said they were the best pair she's seen in years. She said it was some of the best chemistry in all of their character relationships...and yeah. I was very pleased to hear that from a huge fan of the show.

So take out of that what you will.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:05pm

I would love to see a picture of John as Lumiere.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:06pm

Thanks! The only problem is I've already seen it once and thought it was good but not something I want to see again so soon! Oh well. I'll go when I get a chance. Thanks again!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:09pm

James, the first thiing I thought and I think the first thing you would notice and think of in a picture was wow, he's certainly perfected the art of holding up his hand(s) for most of the show. Must have sturdy elbows. Ha.

I know some actors have official press openings, and that's when pictures of them in the roles tend to come out. Is this just for huge names like Donny Osmond, or would John and Jonathan have an "opening night"?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:15pm

Not that I have a problem with Johnny and Jonathan in it but wasn't Donny bringing in enough money?

[Tag]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:00am

People know Donny Osmond.
No one knows Jonathan Freeman and John Tartaglia.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:07am

The only thing that could get me back into the Lunt is if Walt Disney himself came back from the dead to play Belle's father.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:13am

Munk, even if Walt Disney were still dead he would've been a better Maurice than the performance I saw last week...

Yeah I thought it was interesting that there was absolutely zero advertising at the theatre about John Tartaglia. I know not a lot of people know who he is, but I mean, he was nominated for a Tony after all, and a lot of people know Avenue Q.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:14am

People know Jonathan Freeman and John Tartaglia. Not as well as Donny but they both have a fan base of theatre goers.

[Tag]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:19am

Most Beauty & The Beast theatre goers are tourists with little-to-no knowledge of Broadway actors.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:22am

True, but wouldn't John Tartaglia draw the theatre-going community? Seems like they could have the best of both worlds, with he and Donny.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:23am

True, but they have children who probably watch The Disney Channel, which airs the show Tartaglia is now starring in. I forget what it's called.

BEAUTY has been in horrid form for years now. Get rid of Blanchard, and the quality of the show would automatically go up a few notches.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:27am

The show is called "Johnny and the Sprites" I believe.

I didn't really think Blanchard was the problem. The whole thing just sort of drooped. I recently saw a clip of their Tony performance in 1997, and the energy was so high! That was obviously lacking when I saw the show.

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 4:41am

outside of a broadway arena. I would be flabbergasted if anyone knew who John T. or F. was...

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 4:43am

Well, all the housewives with little toddlers know who Johnny is because of Johnny and the Sprites. And a lot of people do know who Jonathan is because he was the voice of Jaffar in Alladin and a lot of people (mostly die hard disney fans) know that.

[LumBabsFan]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:59am

Being careful cause my opinion's biased. Go see it. Even if you don't like it, it's so worth seeing Johnny and Jonathan in the roles. They really make the whole night worth it for skeptics.

wickedrentq, "...she said they were the best pair she's seen in years." Months, hun, only months =). The best of the best left in May, so I've only been deprived of the boys being played well for months, LOL. (This is all if you meant our talk; if not, I feel more like a moron than I already do daily. =))

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:05am

I'll try to see it soon. The man who played Lumiere when I saw it last was FANTASTIC! He looked and sounded EXACTLY like Gary Beach! If you didn't know better you could have sworn it was him! lol

The guy who played Cogsworth wasn't that good.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:00am

"Get rid of Blanchard, and the quality of the show would automatically go up a few notches."

I totally agree, Munk. He must be working for cheap...I honestly don't understand how he's lasted in the show this long.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:14am

Hasn't he been doing it since 99?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:19pm

Oops, sorry Babs. Yes, don't feel like a moron. I just remember you were pleased and excited. Time gets easily confused, but there is a big difference between years and months, so I apologize

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 3:48pm

I'm hoping to see BatB over winter break (yes I like the show) and I'm looking forward to seeing (hopefully!) Johnny T.