Tony Yazbeck to Replace Matthew Morrison in FINDING NEVERLAND!- Page 2

[SweetLips]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 5:41pm

I also think that Finding Neverland has established itself as a 'safe' show that is entertaining,visually appealing and has a reasonably well know story[havn't seen it[apart from the movie]or heard the music]. It's takings will be a roller coaster as 'stars' come in and out but the bread and butter business seems to be there now.

 

SL....x

[JBroadway]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 5:45pm

I admit that I don't know much of Tony Yazbeck I've only seen him in On the Town and heard him on the Gypsy album, but from what little I know of him, it seems like he has a kind of subdued temperament on stage, similar to that of Matthew Morrison. I felt that Morrison was too subdued as Barrie, and I'm worried that Yazbeck will be the same. Hopefully he'll be able to breathe more life into it, though. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 6:12pm

Carlos, that's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.  

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 6:58pm

Excited to see him in this role. Love Tony. He should be amazing. I think Matthew appealed to one crowd and Tony will appeal to a different group.

Great choice...IMO.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 9:34pm

Isn't he in Prince of Broadway? So I assume that's not coming in either? 

Is he a tenor? The end of "Stronger" is pretty high and the whole score sits in a very pop sounding voice, which maybe he can do, but evidenced by On The Town and Gypsy he's more of a baritone/crooner. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 10:32pm

Isn't he in Prince of Broadway? So I assume that's not coming in either?

 

At this point, we don't even know what the future holds for Prince of Broadway yet. Whether it comes to Broadway this season or next season, or if Yazbeck will be continuing with it or not, or if it will even be coming in at all.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/7/16 at 10:46pm

No I know but since there was that thread about them looking at the Longacre... But guess not. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 11:19am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Paul-Slade-Smith-Set-to-Replace-Kelsey-Grammer-in-FINDING-NEVERLAND-20160325

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 12:01pm

That's pretty cool that he's getting bumped up from being Frohman/Hook's understudy. I saw Kelsey Grammer in the part, but Paul was hilarious as Mr. Henshaw and I've heard very good things about his performance when he would go on for Frohman and Hook. Congrats to him!

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 12:25pm

Smith will be very good in this role!

[Sondheimtime]

Posted: 3/25/16 at 6:17pm

I saw him in the role several weeks back, he was very good.

[massofmen]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 11:20am

This show is on the verge of closing

[Sunny11]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 11:30am

This past week it grossed over 800k, how is it on the verge of closing? 

They seem to be happy now to have only one "name" star in the cast at a time, that should reduce its weekly running cost. Alfie boe starts as Barrie next week. 

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 11:30am

Insider knowledge or your belief?

[Eliza2]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 11:46am

I never saw Kelsey Grammer, but I saw Anthony Warlow, Terrence Mann, and Paul Slade Smith. I think Smith was actually the most comedic of the three and while his singing didn't blow me away like Warlow's and Mann's did, I really enjoyed him in the role. And based on the cast recording, he's a far better singer than Grammer.

 

Speaking as someone who loves this show (don't throw rocks at me please!) I like this choice.

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 1:07pm

I'm glad you enjoyed him. Paul has actually gone on about 60 times since the beginning of the run. I saw the show once at the end of January with Kelsey Grammer, and honestly I loved his part. Sure he doesn't really stretch his acting muscles but he was really fun to watch and was especially great as Captain Hook. His singing to me is fine, he usually talk sings but I enjoy Kelsey's expression in the songs. I would imagine Paul will play the part for a while, and they won't go for anymore name actors for Frohman/Hook unless they are desperate.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 1:25pm

I personally don't think it's that difficult to make Hook fun and interesting but it's more of a challenge to make Frohman an interesting part. Paul does a great job with that as well 

Updated On: 3/26/16 at 01:25 PM

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 1:39pm

Again I haven't seen the others, but personally I also love Kelsey's Frohman especially during "Play" and "Something About This Night". To me Kelsey has a very good comedic sensibility and knows how to make audiences laugh. I really liked his part. I'm sure Paul, Anthony, and Terrence were also very good though.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 2:29pm

I didn't post what I did to compare Paul and Kelsey but just to reassure patrons who will not see Kelsey that they will still be entertained. 

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 2:43pm

Oh, I didn't think that you were. I was just adding that because I didn't want it to seem that I thought his Frohman was weak. All good. :)

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 5:15pm

:)  I also don't know of course but I don't get the above on the verge of closing comment either. Until recently Neverland was selling tickets on the website through the summer but they are now offering tickets through December. 

Thats not a confirmation they will stay open that long obviously but it doesn't seem to indicate they are planning to close soon either. 

[funhamilton_rent]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 5:44pm

IMHO, Finding Neverland is a phenomenal show. I've seen it twice (and I rarely see shows twice). When that guitar kicks in during "All Of London Is Here Tonight", I get so excited. I can't understand at all why this got NO Tony noms in a rather weak season.

[bfreak]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 6:01pm

Actually guys, Paul Slade Smith just said on Twitter that these reports were misguided and that he is not taking on Frohman/Hook full time. Only one week after Kelsey leaves. I wonder who it actually is.

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/PaulSladeSmith/status/713832275721502721

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/PaulSladeSmith/status/713832707214745601

https://mobile.twitter.com/PaulSladeSmith/status/713833031992221696

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 6:23pm

Thanks for that info. He has gone on for weeks earlier without the announcement. So what were they actually announcing I wonder? 

There have been two understudies for Captain Hook, Paul and Rory Donovan. Both are pretty incredible for different reasons. 

Regardless I have really enjoyed Tony as Barrie. It's too bad he only had the two months. 

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 3/26/16 at 6:29pm

Any thoughts on who will/should succeed Smith? Hugh Laurie? George Hearn?