Will Chase
Will Chase
REVA107
Understudy Joined: 7/14/08
#1Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 1:59pmI went to see Rent last night and Will's understudy, Jay Wilkison, was in for Roger. I know it's obviously a normal thing to have an understudy go on, but I've noticed that Will hasn't done much of the PR stuff recently either. Jay was in for him at the Bloomingdale's event and is now not going to be at the bell ringing at the NY stock exchange. Also, the blurbs at the bottom of the Rent articles on playbill.com have been going back and forth initially listing Jay Wilkison as Roger and quickly changing it to Will Chase within a day or two. Any idea what's going on? It may just be a lot of coincidence, but it sparked curiosity. Just wondering if anyone knows anything. . . Thanks!
#2re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:02pm
I've seen him all three times I've been to the show in the past few weeks, so seeing his understudy might just be bad luck, unfortunately. I can't provide any insight to why he hasn't been doing many of the appearances, but he did write something for Broadway.com about returning to the show:
http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=569871
#2re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:03pmI was fortunate enough to see him last Thursday.
#3re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:04pmIt's not about him. He wrote it.
#4re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:04pm
I'm pretty sure it's just a coincidence.
I love the First Person that Will did. It was really touching. He's a great actor, and personally my favorite Roger.
#5re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:04pmDidn't realize you posted the link, sorry luvtheEmcee.
#6re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 2:06pm
No worries. I think we posted at the same time.
Will's great. His Roger is, IMO, absolute perfection. It's really a remarkable performance.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
lstbutifulgrl2
Broadway Star Joined: 10/10/07
#8re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 5:01pmi have to agree... Will is probably my all time favorite Roger. But I will say that Jay has been going on a lot recently.
"I'm a butterfly, trivial and small, and in the greater scheme of things, I don't mean much at all." ~The Story of My Life
"Forget Regret, or life is yours to miss." ~Rent
#9re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 5:42pmnot to go off topic but I was reading an interview on the playbill website and Will Chase said something about how cool it was that the taped performance was something great that he could have forever. Does that mean they will release it on dvd just wondering.
Spider Woman
Understudy Joined: 7/4/08
#10re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 7:10pm
Earlier this summer, we saw 4 shows, including Rent. While I was underwhelmed by most of the cast, Will made it worthwhile.
However, I was fortunate enough to have seen Will 5 times as Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman and, wow... that was a role that really showcased his talent. I sat there barely breathing while he belted out "The Day After That". His emotion-filled performance made you care about his character. Rent, sadly, just doesn't afford him the same opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I am not a Rent hater ( nor am I a Renthead), but I just thought the show had run its course and felt old. Can't wait to see Will on the big screen and on Broadway again soon.
lmw8880
Understudy Joined: 7/21/07
#11re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 8:54pm
Will Chase is probaly one of my favorite Broadway actors. I loved his performance way back when when I first saw him in Miss Saigon (I can't believe it was almost ten years ago!). He was amazing.
I was frotuniate enough to see him when he was in Bostn in HIgh Fiedlity. I was lookng foward to see it on Broadway, but it closed quickly.
I was lucky enough to see Rent in June (I won rush tickets and wa sin front row center, I felt ver luck). I really really enjoyed Will's Roger. IMO, he is Roger. I can't wait to see the filmed stage verson in September.
Will seems to be truly talented and I don't understand why he hasn't opened more shows. I think he is truly an amazing actor.
#12re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/13/08 at 9:32pmWill Chase is definitely one of my favorites too. He was also wonderful in The Full Monty. But my all time favorite performance of his was as Chris in Miss Saigon.
REVA107
Understudy Joined: 7/14/08
#13re: Will Chase
Posted: 8/14/08 at 4:47pmI was wondering the same thing! I know they're going to show the final performance in theatres, but will it eventually be released to DVD??
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