The Christian Hoff BLOG...

See it on CBS Saturday, July 15th at 7PM

On Monday, June 26th, at 8:00pm, Broadway moved to Central Park and the stars came out on the Great Lawn, as Target presented the fifth annual Broadway Under the Stars. A multitude of music lovers joined us for a free evening of all-star entertainment as Broadway performers and a full orchestra serenaded New Yorkers and visitors on the greatest outdoor stage in the world.

This years performance was directed by Tony nominated director and choreographer Jeff Calhoun (Annie Get Your Gun, Big River, Grease!). Choreographer was Chase Brock (Shenandoah, Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.) and Music Director Phil Reno (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers) once again led the live orchestra.

Broadway Under the Stars this year featured songs from the productions of legendary director and producer Harold Prince. The recipient of 21 Tony Awards (the most ever by one person) and a 1994 Kennedy Center Honoree, Mr. Prince directed the premiere productions of A Little Night Music, Cabaret, Evita, Follies, Pacific Overtures, Parade, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and the acclaimed revivals of Candide and Show Boat. His productions include Damn Yankees, The Pajama Game, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof.

Among the stars performing were Tony Award winners:
Christian Hoff - Michael Cerveris - Christine Ebersole - Sutton Foster

"Broadway Under the Stars," featuring a galaxy of Broadway's brightest, took place on Monday, June 26th at Central Park's Great Lawn at 8 PM; the evening was a tribute to legendary director-producer Harold Prince.

By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer

VALLEY CENTER ---- Sitting in the sunny yard of the backcountry home he shares with his wife and two kids, Christian Hoff has had a week to reflect on the galvanizing moment in his career, and the memories are still sweet.

On June 11, Hoff won the Tony Award for his breakout performance as tough guy Tommy Devito in the Tony-winning musical "Jersey Boys." The longtime San Diegan originated the role in the show's 2004 world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse, and he made a huge splash in New York when the show opened on Broadway last November.

Although he's had just over a week to adjust to the news, the 38-year-old Hoff said hearing his name announced from the podium at the Tonys last week was, and still is, a shock. And the tears that flowed during his heartfelt, spontaneous acceptance speech reflected not only on how gratified he was to be recognized by his peers after a 12-year absence from Broadway, but also from the realization of how long and how hard he has worked to get there.


"In one single night I was able to bridge 30 years of commitment as an actor, and it all came together in the blink of an eye," said Hoff. "When I heard my name, I was stunned and shocked. I was just so overwhelmed by the encouragement from the crowd, and I've always had strong emotions about my life and my career, so it just all came out. This role has given me a great opportunity to grow and to demonstrate my lifelong commitment as an actor in one great shot."

Some of Broadway’s brightest will take the stage at this year’s "Broadway Under the Stars," a free public concert presented by Target. For the first time ever, this annual event will take place at Central Park’s Great Lawn on Monday, June 26th at 8:00pm. A fireworks finale will follow the performance.

"Broadway Under the Stars," which kicks-off New York City’s summer outdoor concert season, is a star-studded salute to the musicals of legendary director and producer Harold Prince. It is produced by NYC & Company and The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. and presented by Target.

Exclusive telecast sponsor WCBS will televise a one-hour special of "Broadway Under the Stars" on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 7pm.

The public may enter the park from West 81st Street at Central Park West or East 79th Street at Fifth Avenue. Persons with disabilities seating entrance is on East 84th Street at Fifth Avenue. In the event of rain or wet lawn conditions, the performance may be forced to cancel. Please visit broadwayunderthestars.com for current information. All bags and packages are subject to random security check.

OH, WHAT A NIGHT
By: Brian Scott Lipton

If there was an award for Most Dramatic Moment on the Tony Awards, it would go to Christian Hoff's win as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Jersey Boys. (The show itself also took home the Best Musical trophy.) "It was a great surprise," says Hoff. "We had just performed and they got me back to my seat just in time for the announcement of my category. In fact, I didn't even know the real Four Seasons had been on stage to introduce us since I wasn't watching the monitor; I thought it was just Joe Pesci, like at the dress rehearsal." After the show, he met up with his real-life counterpart Tommy DeVito. "He said all that he wanted all night was for me to win, and his daughter told me she's so grateful we've re-introduced the world to her father and their music."
Adding icing to the cake was that the award was presented by former Tony winner Christine Ebersole. "She came and saw the show about a week beforehand, and we visited for 20 minutes afterwards and she was in tears the whole time," he says. "The fact that I could move a colleague, especially one I so trust and respect, was a win for me right there." Hoff adds that the reaction of audiences this week have been a little different than pre-June 11. "My first entrance is a little more charged than before," he admits.

Hot Wax Daily producer Mike McCann, an oldies authority with years of on-air experience, is a master at tracking down stars and getting them on the record with news stories, where are they now information and up-close-and-personal insight into their music and their lives. His latest interview with Christian Hoff, Tony Award winner for his performance in Broadway's Jersey Boys took place on 6/15 airing on Premiere Radio. They discussed the impact of the show, the reason for it's success, Christian's contribution as actor and musician and how on earth they will ever find another actor to fill the shoes so convincingly.

Alec Baldwin was guest-host for the Joan Hamburg Show, Wednesday 6/14 on WOR AM 710. Mr. Baldwin discussed his most honored award being the Tony Award and had Christian share his personal Tony experience, his award-winning performance and what's next in his "rocket-launched" career as an actor.

Christian will be doing an interview with TheaterMania.com's Brian Scott Lipton on Thursday 6/15/06. The article will run on a date to be announced soon. We will update the BLOG when we have the date.

Cousin Brucey - 6/14 5:30pm
WiseGuy Show - 6/14 6:15pm

Christian was live on the Joan Hamburg Show this morning on WOR radio in NY. We are trying to get a copy of the interview so that we can post it on the website. We'll let you know when we post it.

Wow! What an incredible weekend this has been. If my Tony nomination wasn't honor enough, now with the win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, I'm on cloud nine. I thought I was busy before, but with this great development I am completely buried with email, voice messages and press interviews, not to mention eight shows a week. Thank you all for your encouragement and your overwhelming support for my performance in Jersey Boys. Please keep them coming and I will respond as soon as I get a moment to go through them all.

See you at the theater...

~Christian

Christian and Melissa are seen about one minute in to the video...

...video courtesy of Broadway.com

...video courtesy of Genuine-Imitation-Life-Gazette.com

... video courtesy of TonyAwards.com

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
For Jersey Boys

Thank you so much. Papa, this is for us. He died when he was 52. He emigrated to this country in 1961, the year "Sherry" broke, and he met my mom working at Saks Fifth Avenue.

As a proud first-generation American, I celebrate this story every night with my man Tommy De Vito, who gave me these shoes to fill and the heart and soul of a king, warts and all -- nobody's perfect. This is a perfect story though, thanks to Des McAnuff, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, without which we wouldn't be able to weave this intricate story in this iconic music that we get to play every night.

I thank my wife Melissa Hoff for coming to me and saving me and being there as a mother to my children. Our new baby is in her womb right now -- hi baby! Lord, I thank you for bringing me back to Broadway and thank you for welcoming me. God bless Broadway.

My first Tony nomination is an honor that I will never forget, at a time in my life when my purpose and potential have united. I am so grateful for the honor bestowed by the American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers for my performance as the incomparable, one of a kind, tour de force, Tommy DeVito.

Thank you to my wife, Melissa, my children, Eli, Erika, and our pending arrival for making me a real success. Thanks to my family and friends who have loved me and stuck with me no matter what paths my life took. I look forward to sharing with you more of the people whose company and confidence I have been blessed with that have made this recognition a reality.

Here is a start: Des McAnuff for his scope and specificity of vision; Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice for distilling a masterful play to weave The Four Seasons' iconic music into; Sergio Trujillo and Kelly Devine for moving us with accuracy and individuality; Ron Melrose for his faithful and gifted ear; Michael David and the Dodger Theatricals class-act team for their continued support and encouragement; Tommy DeVito for the shoes to fill, complete with the heart and soul of a king; to Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Bob Crewe, Joe Long and the late Nick Massi for living this story and having the guts to tell it and the patience to wait until the time was right; to my fellow cast mates, Daniel Reichard, Bobby Spencer, John Lloyd Young and company, without whom we could not have made a difference; the greatest crew from box office to fly rail who complete this family; to the Broadway community for welcoming me home; and a hearty congratulations to my colleagues and fellow nominees: Danny Burstein, Jim Dale, Brandon Victor Dixon and Manoel Felciano.

This is indeed my greatest professional honor and a personal triumph. Thank you.

See you at the theatre!

Christian recorded the audiobook for Hollywood producer Edward S. Feldmans "Tell Me How You Love The Picture: A Hollywood Life". Stay tuned for details on it's release.

JERSEY BOYS caricature from a gentleman named Justin "Squigs" Robertson - www.squigsink.com

Check out Broadway.com photos of film and stage star Hugh Jackman’s backstage meeting with Jersey Boys’ Christian Hoff, Daniel Reichard, J. Robert Spencer, and John Lloyd Young following a matinee on Sunday, May 28.

Video courtesy of Genuine-Imitation-Life-Gazette.com