Thursday, August 16, 2007

Starring Roles Whether Or Not They're The Ones You Want

Starring Roles Whether Or Not They're The Ones You Want

The second Broadway revival of Grease may be opening this Sunday, yet suddenly the spotlight is falling on several "You're The One That I Want" reality show contestants who coveted the roles of Danny and Sandy, but didn't quite make it.

The reason? They've been cast elsewhere.

First among them, as I noted two days ago, is Ashley Spencer. While she may have lost to Laura Osnes in the NBC television show, she ultimately technically beat Osnes to the Great White Way with the plum role of Amber von Tussle in Hairspray. On the very night Osnes began previews in Grease, Spencer began performing in the long-running Tony Award-winning musical.

Then yesterday came word via Playbill that Derek Keeling has been cast as Charles Darnay in Jill Santoriello's musical version of Charles Dickens' classic A Tale Of Two Cities -- a $12 million show with an eye toward a 2008 Broadway berth that will premiere this October at Sarasota's Asolo Repertory Theatre.

Then today, Playbill carried the announcement that Chad Doreck would replace Matthew Buckner in the long-running Off-Broadway favorite Altar Boyz beginning September 3. Up til now, Doreck's major claim to fame has been the voice of "Crackle" for Rice Krispies. Hopefully, his voice won't summarily follow in the role of Matthew.

Finally, apart from participating in the weekly "After Party" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in May, Austin Miller -- the actor/singer most likely to succeed, although he failed to garner more votes than Max Crumm -- has yet to announce any major theatrical gig. But he was pretty awesome as Link in the original touring production of Hairspray alongside Carly Jibson and Bruce Vilanch; while Jibson and Vilanch eventually appeared in the Broadway version, Miller never had the opportunity and quite frankly, I never understood why.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for Altar Boyz ticket information.
Click here for A Tale Of Two Cities tickets.
Click here for Grease tickets.
Click here for Hairspray tickets.
Related Stories:
Hairspray's Stunt Casting Sticks (August 14, 2007)
Broadway Grosses: Greasing The Skids (August 7, 2007)
Which Upcoming Broadway Musicals Will You See? (June 15, 2007)
Max And Laura Go Together (March 26, 2007)
Behind The Grease Paint (March 24, 2007)
Grease: The Ones That I Want (March 22, 2007)
Apparently Grease Is The Word At Ticketmaster (January 9, 2007)
Sandy And Danny: Who Are The Ones You Want? (January 6, 2007)
The Sound Of Praise (November 16, 2006)
It's A Reality: The Sound Of Music Revival Comes Alive In London Tonight (November 15, 2006)
I've Got Chills, They're Multiplying: NBC Reality Show to Cast Grease (August 8, 2006)

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

6 Comments:

At 16 August, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to hear that Chad will be the next Matthew for Altar Boyz! I'm sure he'll be amazing! :) -toastergiril

 
At 16 August, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oops, meant to sign it: toastergirl!

 
At 16 August, 2007, Blogger Steve On Broadway (SOB) said...

Let's hope he'll be every bit as good as his predecessor!

 
At 17 August, 2007, Blogger Steve On Broadway (SOB) said...

Post Script: I just learned that actress Natalie Toro will portray Madame Defarge in the upcoming A Tale Of Two Cities.

This outstanding actress first stole my heart when she played a dark Eva Peron, circa 1999-2000, during a tour of Evita. I then saw her again as a perfect Mary Magdelene in a tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

I've been waiting for her to star in something else that could transport her to Broadway. Could this be it?

 
At 19 August, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

chad will be a great addition to the altar boyz cast! can't wait to see him
~sbkamin

 
At 19 August, 2007, Blogger Steve On Broadway (SOB) said...

Welcome, once again, to all the Altar Boyz fanz!

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

Technorati blog directory Blog Directory & Search engine
Visitor Map

Powered by FeedBurner