Will Chase in Nice Work

[dave1606]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 9:52am

Went last night for Will's first performance and thought he was excellent!

Obviously he sang Matthew under the table, but I thought his acting was good too. He isn't quite as comfortable in the role yet, but I am sure after a few more performances he will be great.

He and Kelli were great together. As for the show, I really love it. Michael and Judy were really on fire.

I saw Matthew earlier this year and thought he was pretty good too, but I really wish Will had been in the show from the start because I thought he was excellent in the role, and much more believable as a playboy.

Looking forward to seeing him in Drood!

[notabb]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 10:49am

I agree , the show is far better with Will Chase. Nice to have a leading man you actually want the heroine to hook up with at the end. It gives a lift to the whole show. He's in thru Sunday so if you've been on the fence I'd say , go now. And yes, he's just going to get better. Debra Messing was in the audience last night.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 10:50am

How long is he in for?

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 11:01am

Jordan, he's in for the week. Seeing him on Sunday and could not be more excited.

Did the add a nude scene? One can only hope...

[dave1606]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 11:01am

Jordan, only this week. In my opinion if they continue the show after Matthew leaves he would be an excellent replacement a la Stephanie J. Block for Anything Goes.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 1:40pm

I actually didn't think Matthew was that bad in the role. I would be very interested to see what Will Chase does with it, though. I thought Matthew played the role in such a largely "Matthew Broderick" style, It would be cool to see how Will Chase makes it his own.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 1:58pm

I'm going tonight! I have zero interest in the show but I'll see anything Will is in. I doubt he'll go in as the permanent replacement for Broderick because 1) the show won't be open that long and 2) Drood.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 2:00pm

DROOD is supposed to close in March and I'd imagine that Matthew Broderick has a one year contract, so those dates would line up.

[wealllovechicken]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 2:21pm

Would love to see him, but looking impossible.

He was still the standout BY A MILE as Roger in the final company of Rent.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 2:50pm

Can't find a mention of the substitution on the "Official" website. Guess they don't mind misleading folks about the temporary change?

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 2:50pm

oops dp
Updated On: 8/22/12 at 02:50 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 5:53pm

Sorry to veer off-topic, but when is Matthew's last day with the show?

[LiveLoud22]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 6:18pm

Seeing him tonight, too! So excited!

[mc1227]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 7:00pm

I don't think that's been established. If he's contracted a year from opening, that would be April 23. If it's a year from previews, then March 29th give or take a day.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 8/22/12 at 7:09pm

I agree completely with JBroadway. I really enjoyed Matthew Broderick in the role. He had people on stage cracking. But he was so "Matthew Broderick-y" I was having a hard time imaging how Will Chase would fit. I love Will Chase as a performer and I would love to see him in this.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 7:35am

I think Broderick works in the role precisely because he is the exact opposite of what you'd normally think that role would be. Not saying someone who "fits the part" better couldn't still be awesome though.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 10:39am

I saw the show last night and was actually surprised at how much I liked it. Maybe it was the fact that I was mesmerized by Will Chase because he was amazing. I've only seen it once but my friend has seen it with several of the cast pairings (Kelli & Matthew, Matthew & Kelli's replacement, Will & Kelli) and he thought this was the best.

I do wish that Will would have been the original lead because I would have loved a cast recording with him rather than Matthew which I would never listen to.

[LucyEth]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 1:39pm

Saw Chase last night and he was utterly charming. In total control every moment, there was no sense of his being a replacement -- and only for a week at that. Everyone on stage seemed to be having a great time. I wanted to see Chase, as Broderick seems too old and embalmed for the role; certainly not the kind of ne'er-do-well playboy that a leading lady like O'Hara would swoon over. Seeing the show, one can imagine how Broderick (pro that he is) would nail every moment. But there were real sparks between Chase and O'Hara, and I'm thrilled to have seen them together. BTW, heard that Erin Dilly was pretty fab when she went on during O'Hara's absence. If the show runs, getting Chase and Dilly together would be a pretty smart move.

[dave1606]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 2:08pm

Should be noted that they did print a new program for him which I thought was nice!

[mc1227]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 8:20pm

I did see Erin Dilly as Kelli's replacement and she was excellent. I don't think she has the vocals that Kelli does, but still did a wonderful job with the songs and her comedy actually equaled or surpassed Kelli's imo. My Playbill from that night actually had Erin's name on it as well, so they did not do it just for Will. I'm sure that Will is wonderful as Matthew's replacement and if he and Erin are the permanent replacements, that would be great. Having seen the show a few times, I can say there is very sweet chemistry between Matthew and Kelli and the only place I have seen or heard otherwise is on this board. I've referred many people to this show and they have all been delighted with Matthew and Kelli and the entire cast. Many of the lines are not that funny unless accompanied by a great delivery. Would love to see Will's comedic timing on them.

Updated On: 8/23/12 at 08:20 PM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 9:06pm

I was there for his first performance, and I couldn't say enough good things about him. He sings the score beautifully, his dancing is great, he looks the part, he's very funny, and the list goes on. I was actually shocked how comfortable he was given that it was his first night on in a short run. I really hope that if the show is still running when DROOD closes or he's ready to leave it, he would be able to replace Broderick as has been suggested, though I will say that the material he has to work with in DROOD is much better than in NICE WORK. It was also great to see him fully printed in the Playbill. Very nice to the crowd after the show at the stagedoor as well!

[HopeChanged]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 10:44pm

Saw this show Tuesday night specifically for Will Chase. Sat in the front row. Had a ball. Will Chase rocked it, as he does every role I 've ever seen him grace. Have been a fan of his for a long time and so glad to see more and more folks recognizing how freaking talented he is. Will's voice is gorgeous, he can tackle any role, he's funny, charming, charismatic, gorgeous, and ... damn. So glad I got the chance to see him light up this fun show. Oh, and Debra Messing (his insanely lucky girlfriend) was 5 rows behind me. Grrr ... I mean, nice hair.

Updated On: 8/23/12 at 10:44 PM

[japhun2]

Posted: 8/23/12 at 11:03pm

Can't wait to see Nice Work in December and Drood is November! Have heard only great things about Nice Work and Drood looks like it has great potential!

[rorschach37]

Posted: 8/25/12 at 5:11pm

Would anyone happen to have an extra Playbill for Will's run in the show? Will pay!

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/25/12 at 5:46pm

I saw Will last night and absolutely loved him! I thought he and Kelli had really great chemistry,