The "Pretty" Return of ANDY KARL- Page 2

[Lot666]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 2:53pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "WldKingdomHM said: "ARGH I was just going to purchase a ticket today with the promo code I got in the mail"

Feel free to PM me that promo code if you'd like "

Me too!

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 2:53pm

Let me buy my ticket now

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 2:57pm

I wouldn't hate it, either.

[theaterdude2]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:06pm

Steve Kazee is much more suited to a Richard Gere type than Andy Karl. 

Andy is talented and charismatic, but wrong for the part. 

Was looking forward to seeing Steve on stage again, it's been a long time since Once. Very sad news about his family, I wish him all the best.

Someone on this thread wrote that he was fired. Would they really use a tragedy like that as an excuse, instead of saying he was let go?

I highly doubt it. 

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:10pm

For what it's worth, I heard that Steve was being replaced for the Broadway run before the show even closed during it's out of town tryout.  

[Eliza2]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:12pm

Lot666 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "WldKingdomHM said: "ARGH I was just going to purchase a ticket today with the promo code I got in the mail"

Feel free to PM me that promo code if you'd like "

Me too!"

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1109571#5047294

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:13pm

I saw very little chemistry in Chicago between the 2 leads. Though the circumstances are unfortunate, adding Andy Karl will enhance the show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:20pm

Don’t care for Karl’s vocals, though.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:22pm

This sucks.  The only reason I bought a ticket was so that I could finally see Steve on Broadway.  I missed him by 4 days in Once.  Wow, this is really surprising.  I'm so disappointed, but I truly hope he and his family recovers and at some point, comes to Broadway again.  Luckily, Andy Karl is so awesome and talented, perhaps this won't be a total let down.  

Updated On: 5/24/18 at 03:22 PM

[beilis32]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:24pm

Updated On: 5/23/18 at 03:24 PM

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:37pm

This show went from meh to a must see. Yo go, Andy!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:39pm

The cynic in me also wonders about the timing. Two weeks ago, it was announced that ABC would not be picking up Karl's pilot, ''Staties,'' thus, I assume, making him suddenly available. Did the producers see this recasting as a way to jump-start their show? To be frank, critics raved about Samantha Banks being so lovable and brilliant as Vivian in the Chicago tryout of ''Pretty Woman.'' And to be fair, some of that is baked into this Cinderella story. Vivian has the livelier part, and it was a breakout role for Julia Roberts, who got an Oscar nomination (while Richard Gere didn't).

According to its mixed reviews, it sounds as if they made Edward much more ''dysfunctional'' and ''depressed'' for the musical. Steve Oxman in Variety: ''If you thought this character couldn't be played any less dynamically, guess again.'' And Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune: ''Kazee needs to perk it up, sex it up, charm it up, take off his shirt, emote less and smile more. He's a corporate raider with issues, not a melancholy, adjunct history teacher.''

Sounds like ''Pretty Woman'' really needs to rethink Edward, and maybe Karl can bring that change and charisma to the fore. I wonder what the advance sales for ''Pretty Woman'' are (tickets have been on sale since Dec. 15). Previews begin July 20. That's not much time. This'll be Karl's third role as the leading man of a movie-to-stage adaptation, so I hope it's not a trap. At least he'll have the fun of sharing the stage with his wife, Orfeh.

Updated On: 5/23/18 at 03:39 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 3:53pm

I'm sorry but how many complete bombs can Andy take

Ask Debra Monk.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 4:09pm

I also find it odd that Mr. Kazee, who is desperate enough for money to run a Go Fund Me page to salvage his father's house (not his), would voluntarily leave a leading role in a Broadway show, which even if it closes in six months would have paid him a lot of money - enough to buy his father two new homes.

This whole thing sounds like a P.R. spin. I feel bad for Mr. Kazee, especially since he also had to leave Once after winning the Tony due to vocal problems, and this should have been his "big comeback." Oh well.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 4:21pm

I also find it odd that Mr. Kazee, who is desperate enough for money to run a Go Fund Me page to salvage his father's house (not his), would voluntarily leave a leading role in a Broadway show, which even if it closes in six months would have paid him a lot of money - enough to buy his father two new homes.

No, six months on Broadway would not have bought his father two new homes.  Not unless you're Nathan Lane, Glenn Close or maybe Jim Parsons.  But assuming Kazee did leave voluntarily for family reasons, an incident like that could easily require his physical assistance as well.  Displacement of an elderly parent, as well as the relocation, requires a HUGE amount of physical help.  I don't know what his family situation is like, but there are millions of us who are quite simply the only available immediate family who can physically assist their parents.  So no, it's not really that odd at all.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 4:31pm

theaterdude2 said: "Steve Kazee is much more suited to a Richard Gere type than Andy Karl.



If I was thinking of actors associated with the show, I'd actually say that Jason was more of a Richard Gere type than either of them. But not really. I don't know. It's difficult to think of someone who comes across as charming while being an emotionally closed off jerk. At least in the right age range. What works for a teenage/20-something character does not work as well for someone Edward's age. You're supposed to grow out of that or develop some kind of a personality (and moodily playing the piano does not count as a personality). And this show apparently has bigger problems than casting if the reviews are anything to go by.

Even if he's played more comedic roles in the past, there's no reason to think Andy Karl can't play this well as a "generic leading man." It's not like the character is so amazing.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 4:33pm

I'm sorry but how many complete bombs can Andy take

If you're a longtime Broadway performer, that's showbiz.

Take Andy's co-star in ''Drood'': Chita Rivera. Yes, she's a two-time Tony winner, but she also survived ''Seventh Heaven,'' ''Shinbone Alley,'' ''Bajour,'' ''Bring Back Birdie,'' ''Merlin,'' to name but a few. 

Updated On: 5/23/18 at 04:33 PM

[RicardoMagon]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 4:41pm

Poor guy. The producers are obviously letting him go, which I find ridiculous. The chicago try-out is supposed to be a practice for Broadway. The actor should be able to fail without fear of being replaced. That's what out of town try-outs are for. I could name so many actors who weren't very good in the out of town tryout and then went on to be nominated for tony awards. I saw Steve and he certainly isn't the problem with the show. The writing isn't very original and in my opinion, he was given a bad book. 

And for all the people who are making jokes at his expense, saying things like "oh well now i'll buy a ticket"..... have some class. The guy has had a very tough few years that I don't wish on any of you.

Mr.Kazee  is a star and he'll find the right project sooner or later. This may be a blessing in disguise because if the producers leave the show as it is, it's going to get railed by the critics.

Also, Karl is miscast in this. He doesn't have the natural edge to play this part. 
 

 

.

Updated On: 5/23/18 at 04:41 PM

[Impossible2]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 4:55pm

Maybe Andy is playing the George Costanza role...

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 5:16pm

Just to be clear, it was his home.  His Father still lives in the state of Kentucky.  Steve's house.  Glad he got even more than he was hoping for, though.

 https://www.gofundme.com/emspz-from-the-ashes

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 5:46pm

RicardoMagon said: "Poor guy. The producers are obviously letting him go, which I find ridiculous. The chicago try-out is supposed to be a practice for Broadway. The actor should be able to fail without fear of being replaced. That's what out of town try-outs are for. I could name so many actors who weren't very good in the out of town tryout and then went on to be nominated for tony awards. I saw Steve and he certainly isn't the problem with the show. The writing isn't very original and in my opinion, he was given a bad book.

And for all the people who are making jokes at his expense, saying things like "oh well now i'll buy a ticket".....have some class. The guy has had a very tough few years that I don't wish on any of you."

Out of town tryouts are not just to give someone time to improve in a role, it's to see if you got the right people in the role in the first place. This isn't an intro to high school drama class. There are millions of $ riding on this. If he's not clicking in the role, he's not clicking in the role and that probably became clear to the team running the show. It's nothing personal but it also wasn't likely to change with time. 

As far as people saying they'll now buy a ticket, that's not making jokes at his expense. That's people who genuinely didn't care for him in the role now seeing an actor cast who they are interested in seeing. It happens in casting threads every day here. Don't worry, Steve will be fine.

[Marlothom]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 6:34pm

This is an odd casting decision. I would not be sueprised if Steve asked to leave the production - it’s a mess. Also, it will be awkward to see Orfeh’s husband perform VERY intimate scenes with a different woman. I know it’s theatre but still.

[smidge]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 6:42pm

Whatever happened to the poster who used to lose their S over ANDY KARL and ORFEH KARL. That was fun. (sorry if I jinxed the thread)

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 6:54pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I thought Steve was as the weakest link of the main cast(minus Jason Danieley, but that wasn’t his fault). Andy will do great and it should be awesome to see him and orfeh on stage together again!"

has steve done something to personally offend you?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/23/18 at 7:01pm

EllieRose2 said: "Just to be clear, it was his home. His Father still lives in the state of Kentucky. Steve's house. Glad he got even more than he was hoping for, though.

https://www.gofundme.com/emspz-from-the-ashes"

 

Not to further drive the point home about this being a P.R. spin, but the Go Fund Me Page describes it as "My home in Kentucky where my father still lives." The page is also L.A. based. It sounds like Kazee's childhood home, but he no longer actually lives there. Yes, I'm sure he wants to be there to help out his Dad, but come on, he can buy him another home and still do a Broadway show.

I think that based on Kazee's poor reviews in Chicago (which were really criticizing how poorly written the role was, not him), and Andy Karl's sudden availability, the producers wanted Karl and bought Kazee out of his contract. Considering that probably means at last six month's salary (possibly even a full year), and the fact that the show is likely going to flop anyway, I imagine Kazee is fine taking the money, getting out of a bad show, and being able to help out his dad.

This is all speculation of course.