Submitted by: Julie Cudney
Although he wasn t originally cast in the role, Matthew Risch has been named to the lead role of the musical Pal Joey. The musical had to go on hold after November 21, when the person cast as the role, Christian Hoff, suffered a foot injury. The show was on hold for Risch to learn the role before starting up again not long after. Hoff withdrew from the role, giving Risch the lead role. Before he was injured, Hoff performed the role in the show s previews. The switch is a big change for Pal Joey as they are going from a seasoned lead to a young, fresh face on the Broadway scene.
Hoff has been performing on stage since he was eight years old. The California native was already on the fast track to success at a young age, even appearing on television on a special with Shirley MacLaine. He started getting more stage experience like in the original Los Angeles Company production of Evita. Along with building more of a stage career, Hoff also started appearing on film and in television. Some of his early television appearances include Quincy M.E., St. Elsewhere and Who s the Boss. More recently, he has been seen in shows like Ugly Betty, ER, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Fantasy Island. In 2006, Hoff appeared in Jersey Boys, where he originated the role of Tommy DeVito. The performance earned him a Tony Award that year as well as a Drama Desk Award nomination.
Although he may not yet boast a Tony Award, Matthew Risch could be working his way there with this very role. Risch was educated at the well-regarded College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has been seen on Broadway as Carlos in Legally Blonde and as Fred Casely in Chicago. He was also part of the touring show of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His appearance in Legally Blonde was with the original Broadway production. He was also part of the recording for the show. The change in the cast means that the official press opening was pushed back from December 11 to December 18. Risch is surely going to be one of the next hot leads on Broadway, meaning fans will want to get out to see him live on stage. You can reserve your Pal Joey tickets at http://www.stubhub.com/pal-joey-tickets.
Pal Joey has been around for some time on Broadway. It tells the story of a charming but conniving performer who dreams of owning his own nightclub. Although he holds the affections of a young girl named Linda, he disregards the relationship in order to pursue an older married woman, Vera, whom he thinks could finance his endeavor. The music and lyrics were written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. They have written together numerous times before in shows like I Married an Angel, Too Many Girls and By Jupiter. Rodgers is also known for his famed teaming with Oscar Hammerstein II. The original book for the show was written by John O-Hara, and Richard Greenberg wrote the new book.
About the Author: This article was written by Julie Cudney and is sponsored by
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