Sieber and Harrison to join MATILDA- Page 2

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 2/1/14 at 1:56pm

God, not this again! During the great blown-way-the-hell-out-of-proportion 2010 "Broadway actors vs TV actors" non-scandal, Chris, on his own FB page, said this:

""Here's the deal....when you receive an award that is purchased for you...does it mean anything?! CZJ?! A big booooooooooo! But,congrats to the other winners.... "

It was his opinion. He never backed down from it, he didn't delete it, and he didn't say anything else. Big friggin' deal. If that's the reason Replacement Cast doesn't like him, that seems silly. DAME is right. Chris and his husband are loved and respected in the community.

Chris Hoch suffers from the Jim Borstelman syndrome. He is too valuable as an understudy to be given a role.

Updated On: 2/1/14 at 01:56 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 2/1/14 at 2:20pm

Its not as if Zeta-Jones upset Patti LuPone. It was between her and Montego Glover's perfectly decent performance. I never understood the whining

And back to 2014.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/2/14 at 10:49am

"Chris Hoch suffers from the Jim Borstelman syndrome. He is too valuable as an understudy to be given a role."

Hmmm...Interesting. I have heard that said about Merwin Foard as well..always cast as a standby or cast in smaller role because he can do so much as the lead when necessary.

Are there other actors/actresses that would also fall into this category in anyone's opinion? Inquiring minds want to know....

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 2/2/14 at 10:54am

I think that Linda Mugleston would fall into this category as well.

[darquegk]

Posted: 2/2/14 at 11:18am

Lenora Nemetz, once known as Queen of the Understudies, fits this bill as well.

[pli1018]

Posted: 3/20/14 at 8:41pm

Maybe I missed any posts, but has anyone seen Sieber in the role?

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 3/20/14 at 8:44pm

It was announced a week ago-ish that Sieber broke a bone in his hand during rehearsals and his start has been delayed to April 8.

[pli1018]

Posted: 3/20/14 at 8:56pm

Ah, missed that! Thank you!

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:18pm

Christopher Sieber's Smell of Rebellion

[VotePeron]

Posted: 5/6/14 at 11:45pm

I've seen Sieber twice in the role now. Overall I am underwhelmed by his performance, but ultimately it is on the right track. he's making some good acting choices, and his Smell of Rebellion and pre-"Quiet" freakout is terrifying. I just dont understand why he doesnt do a character voice, like he did with Farquad. It's odd. But like I said, he may grow into it.

As for Matt Harrison 4 times in the role now, and he is a FABULOUS Mr. Wormwood. He toned down his voice, and is a great fit to the cast. Jill Paice is also still kicking ass in the role, too!

I also finally seen all 4 Newtilda's. They are all wonderful. Ripley is a true gem, however.

Updated On: 5/6/14 at 11:45 PM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 11:00am

I have also seen Christopher twice but I think I have liked him more than you do I guess. I was fine with his voice and I thought he had real command of the role - and his singing voice is powerful. He wore a wrist band once when I was there and another bandage around his ankle another time.

I know Matt is doing a great job..but I miss Gabe visually. Gabe's height just made him all angles and it worked better than Matt who is just a regular size guy. I dunno..I seem to miss Gabe the most.

I have always loved Jill..

Also saw the four New Matildas...I was most impressed by Ripley and Paige..though you don't get to be Matilda without being wonderful..so it would not be a hardship to see any of them.


Updated On: 5/7/14 at 11:00 AM

[theaternut]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 1:28pm

I thought Sieber was the strongest I have seen in this role.

[ethan231h]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 7:44pm

wheres the pic of Chris in costume???

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 5/7/14 at 9:16pm

Finally, a photo of Sieber! Is it me or are the sleeves of the costume very off?

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 5/8/14 at 11:17am

Sleeves look fine to me. I love Matilda but the one thing that bothers me (aside from Revolting Children happening after the Trunchbull runs off) is that Trunchbull has so little stage time. Two songs and the hammer throw is skimpy compared to everything the other supporting characters have to do - Miss Honey and Mr. Wormwood in particular.

Edit: Listening to Smell of Rebellion now and really loving it. The absence of a character voice isn't really bothering me like it did with Craig Bierko.

Updated On: 5/8/14 at 11:17 AM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 12:07am

I just clipped this from a mini interview with Chris..

AP: Is your Miss Trunchbull going to be different?

Sieber: Yes, I think it is. I think I'm scarier than any of the other Trunchbulls because I'm not playing this for laughs at all. I could take this part a whole other way. But I think it's much more interesting to make her scary. She's a horrible person. Let's make her horrible.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/christopher-sieber-hear-boos-broadway-23635645?page=2

That should be the link for the rest of the interview..with any luck. Updated On: 5/9/14 at 12:07 AM

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 7:28pm

I guess this thread melted into my subconscious because last night I dreamed I was seeing Matilda and Trunchbull was played by Alan Cumming. I've been thinking about it all day and it's sounding less ridiculous. He's not right physically (would that even matter in that hulk of a costume?) but imagine how creepy and menacing he'd be. I keep hearing the penultimate phrase of The Smell of Rebellion ('till this rebelliOOOOOOOn is quashed) in his voice.

Now I'm scared I won't be happy till this happens. :)

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/10/14 at 12:17am

If you want to hear how Cumming would sound as Trunchbull, look up "Floop's Song (Cruel World)" that he did for the first "Spy Kids" movie. He sings in his natural voice, as well as a series of digitally manipulated character voices, along with Danny Elfman doing the same thing- I think their voices are even combined into one at one point.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 5/10/14 at 11:20pm

Well I didn't expect that. At tonight's performance....Mr. Tim Minchin was sitting in the audience watching the show mid orchestra seats.

I was across the aisle and over a ways so it was hard to see....but it seemed he thought that Chris was really hilarious. Lots of laughter and a few moments of applause mid show.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/11/14 at 9:21am

It's Matt Harrington, not Harrison.