The "Pretty" Return of ANDY KARL — Page 4

Interesting that Mr. Mitchell is praising the casting of Karl all up and down Facebook and Instagram with no mention of the departing Kazee. And he got one line at the end of the press release stating "family issues" which is pretty generic. And I wonder if anyone had a Broadway contract before the transfer, I doubt it. I hope we hear Kazee's side like we heard Jeremy Jordan's side of the NEVERLAND affair. And speaking of that, I wonder if Matt Morrison was approached to replace?

CurtainPullDowner said: "Interesting that Mr. Mitchell is praising the casting of Karl all up and down Facebook and Instagram with no mention of the departing Kazee."

You mean he is promoting the person who people can see in a show he is promoting while he is online promoting it? That IS strange.

Plus, there is no evidence Kazee was replaced rather than wanted to leave to actually deal with family issues? Sometimes there isn't a conspiracy.

''I hope we hear Kazee's side like we heard Jeremy Jordan's side of the NEVERLAND affair.''

The two situations are not comparable. Morrison did the original, early workshops of ''Finding Neverland.'' Jordan did the tryout at A.R.T. because Morrison was unavailable (he was still shooting ''Glee'' ). Jordan fought for the chance to originate it on Broadway, but he knew that the role probably would return to Morrison.

''The fact that ['Pretty Woman'] is opening in the summer does not bode well.''

Broadway shows that have opened in the summer include: ''Hairspray,'' ''La Cage aux Folles,'' ''Avenue Q'' and ''Hamilton.''

Updated On: 5/24/18 at 02:15 PM

I know people are saying "Why is he leaving?" or "He could make more money by staying with the show.." Well, maybe it'a combination of both. His father needs care and he doesn't see the show as doing that well so why risk spending the time in a production that won't last when he could be there for his father. If the show's a success he can always go back into the show after he's taken care of his personal business and the lead leaves.

CurtainPullDowner said: "

Bottom line is that Ms. Barks' performance will rise far above this material and she will soon become the 'Bette Midler' of the 2019 Broadway season. And watch how quickly the tickets will sell once word gets out in NYC."



Did I read that right?

"

Lol, right? I enjoyed her, but to say she’ll be the Bette Midler of 2019 is a MASSIVE over statement

Just because participating in a Broadway show will pay well doesn't mean it's the better call to make in a situation like this. There's no feasible way Kazee would be able to personally check up on his father and still do eight shows a week. Sure, you could pay for a caretaker, but I know that if I were in a situation like this I would want to be the one making sure said family member is okay, especially after something as traumatizing as this likely was for Kazee and his family. An actor has every right to leave a show that hasn't even opened yet for a personal family emergency- obviously there wasn't an issue with his contract because he was allowed to depart the production. I'm sure he would much rather be performing than having to deal with this horrible situation, but sometimes things don't work out in a way that lets you have it all. And, let's face it, as much as I love Steve Kazee he's not a "name." Yes, people who are fans of his were excited to see him in the role, but Andy Karl is a much more commonly known actor at this point in time, especially coming off of Groundhog Day. Steve made the choice to leave in order to be with his family, and they found a replacement for his role- that's how life works. I'm sure he's crushed he won't be able to make the move to Broadway, but we have to respect his privacy and his personal decisions and move on from this.

What were the songs like for his character? Maybe they rewrote some stuff, and needed/wanted a different sound? Who knows. But it is a little unheard of these days.

After "Rocky" and "Groundhog Day", I hope this show last more than those two musicals for his sake.

Karl has had 3 Tony nominations in the past 4 years, which is not inconsiderable, and he had a supporting stint on TV in ''Law & Order: SVU.'' Kazee won the Tony for ''Once'' (2012), but that was his last Broadway credit. As for ''bankable'' leading men in Broadway musicals, that would seem to be a short list. Off the top of my head, there's Hugh Jackman and, say, Josh Groban. If you look at this year's Best Actor nominees, I don't think you could consider Harry Haden-Patton, Joshua Henry, Ethan Slater or (multi-Emmy winner) Tony Shalhoub really ''bankable'' musical-theater stars.

''After 'Rocky' and 'Groundhog Day,' I hope this show ['Pretty Woman'] lasts more than those two musicals for [Karl's] sake.''

I'll bet Karl wishes ALL of his shows ran longer, but that's not in his power, nor is it always squarely on his shoulders alone. Karl got terrific notices for ''Rocky'' and even won an Outer Critics, Drama Desk and Olivier Award for ''Groundhog Day,'' so I think he gave his all (especially for the latter, where he performed despite an injury).

Like any working actor, you play the best hand you're dealt. His TV pilot wasn't picked up, so he got the offer for ''Pretty Woman.'' Karl gets to reunite with a director he loves (Jerry Mitchell); pays tribute to a friend (Garry Marshall), and shares the Broadway stage with his wife, Orfeh. And if the show can work out its issues and Karl has chemistry with Samantha Banks, maybe they can help make it a better show. All the while, he gets paid a nice salary for his services. All things considered, that sounds like a ''Pretty'' good deal to me.

Updated On: 5/26/18 at 06:39 PM

Wayman_Wong said: "Karl has had 3 Tony nominations in the past 4 years, which is not inconsiderable, and he had a supporting stint on TV in ''Law & Order: SVU.'' Kazee won the Tony for ''Once'' (2012), but that was his last Broadway credit. As for ''bankable'' leading men in Broadway musicals, that would seem to be a short list. Off the top of my head, there's Hugh Jackman and, say, Josh Groban. If you look at this year's Best Actor nominees, I don't think you could consider Harry Haden-Patton, Joshua Henry, Ethan Slater or (multi-Emmy winner) Tony Shalhoub really ''bankable'' musical-theater stars.

''After 'Rocky' and 'Groundhog Day,' I hope this show ['Pretty Woman'] lasts more than those two musicals for [Karl's] sake.''

I'll bet Karl wishes ALL of his shows ran longer, but that's not in his power, nor is it always squarely on his shoulders alone. Karl got terrific notices for ''Rocky'' and even won an Outer Critics, Drama Desk and Olivier Award for ''Groundhog Day,'' so I think he gave his all (especially for the latter, where he performed despite an injury).

Like any working actor, you play the best hand you're dealt. His TV pilot wasn't picked up, so he got the offer for ''Pretty Woman.'' Karl gets to reunite with a director he loves (Jerry Mitchell); pays tribute to a friend (Garry Marshall), and shares the Broadway stage with his wife, Orfeh. And if the show can work out its issues and Karl has chemistry with Samantha Banks, maybe they can help make it a better show. All the while, he gets paid a nice salary for his services. All things considered, that sounds like a ''Pretty'' good deal to me."

My comment was a response to those who thought the switch in casting was a good choice because Karl was more of a "name" than Kazee. Which is why I brought up bankability. Outside of his fans here, nobody knows who Karl is and his name alone won't make a difference whether this show succeeds or not. The other reasons why casting Karl may be better (rewriting the role, having more chemistry with Barks, the creatives liking him more, him just being better for the part, etc.) are reasons I can see and will remain to be seen. I just think there was a lot of propping up of Karl at the expense of Kazee on this thread that really wasn't needed and it read as some weird one-sided fandom war going on (as if Kazee has a big enough following here to have one) and when I saw people thinking more people will see it now that Karl is in it was a bit much for me. I mean technically, that may be true as Karl gained quite a following online, but that won't really make much of a difference overall the way some posters were posting. Of course, maybe it wasn't really fans of Karl doing that but the people who were also salivating at the thought of the "true" story was actually Kazee getting fired/let go and now has to take care of his father and deal with personal family issues while being involuntarily unemployed because that sort of gossip is so juicy and delicious for some people.

Updated On: 5/26/18 at 07:01 PM