October 10, 2007

Daniel Reichard Leaving Jersey Boys to Star in NYC Opera’s Candide

October 10th, 2007

Playbill.com reports that Daniel Reichard will end his two-year run in the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys to star in the upcoming New York City Opera production of Candide.

Reichard, according to a press statement, will depart the award-winning musical at the August Wilson Theatre following the Jan. 6, 2008 performance. The singing actor is then scheduled to play the title role in the New York City Opera’s mounting of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, which begins performances April 8, 2008.

Reichard, according to the press announcement, is “very excited to star in this operetta.” He also appeared in a production of Candide during his years at the University of Michigan.

The New York City Opera production of Candide will run through April 20. Arthur Masella will direct the Harold Prince production with choreography by Patricia Birch. George Manahan will conduct the orchestra. The cast will also feature Judy Blazer as the Old Lady. The role of Candide will be split by Reichard and Matt Morgan. Additional casting will be announced shortly, according to a New York City Opera spokesperson.

Congratulations and all the best to Daniel with this new and exciting production!

20 Comments »

  1. Wow!! What a great opportunity for you, Daniel. You will sorely missed but this sounds so awesome. Best wishes for you and all your future endeavors. All us JB fans are going to miss you but look forward to seeing you in a new venue.

    Comment by LindaL — October 10, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

  2. This sounds wonderful, Daniel. I hope to be able to see “Candide” in April. Best of luck in whatever you do from now on. You know the fans will always be there.

    Comment by Melissa — October 10, 2007 @ 3:04 pm

  3. Daniel, your amazing and powerful voice will finally get the attention it deserves. Sounds like a perfect fit; best of luck.

    Comment by Howard Tucker — October 10, 2007 @ 3:23 pm

  4. Daniel, You know I’ll be there to see Candide and whatever else you do!! Congratulations and all best wishes! This is a wonderful opportunity for you, but you will always be the one and only Bob Gaudio for me!!

    Comment by Wanda — October 10, 2007 @ 4:28 pm

  5. So Happy for you Daniel!
    I will miss you in Jersey Boys but I am very happy you got the title role in “Candide”. Good for you!
    You are an amazing talent and we wish you all the best. We will see you in your new role in spring 2008.

    God Bless You.

    Comment by Damaris Dugan — October 10, 2007 @ 6:58 pm

  6. Sid and I are delighted to hear the good news and wish you all the best. You certainly deserve it as an artist, as well as an exceptionally fine person who has kept his feet on the ground and not let his success go to his head as some performers unfortunately do. Sid and I will be in the City Sunday, October 21st and will stop by the theatre to congratulate you in person. What a busy day for the Jersey Boys with your Benefit for Broadway Cares at the Marriott Sunday night.

    Looking forward to seeing you in April in Candide. We are sure you will be amazing and perfect in the part.

    Comment by Lois Halpern — October 10, 2007 @ 7:12 pm

  7. Your good fortune is our misfortune…but I know it is well deserved. Congratulations, Daniel. Your presence will be truly missed. The first time I saw JB, a stand-in was playing the Bob Gaudio role. And as much as I enjoyed the show, I had no idea what I had missed until I saw you in the role a few months later. Having met Bob Gaudio a couple of times, I think the characteristic you most embody of his is the deteremined drive that is tempered by a gentle nature. That comes across so clearly on stage, not to mention the sheer vocal talent. I wish you continued success and anxiously await “Candide.”

    Comment by LuluThompson — October 10, 2007 @ 10:31 pm

  8. A sad day for JB fans. I look forward to seeing the show Oct 20 for the 4 th time and hope you will be performing that evening. I wish you continued success which you richly deserve!

    Comment by Joan C — October 11, 2007 @ 4:41 am

  9. Daniel what a great opportunity for you. It is great that you can share your voice with more people. You are an exceptional talent and for me you are the best Bob Gaudio. You will be truly missed. Jersey Boys will not be quite the same. I hope to see you in Candide the next time I come to New York. Hope you keep doing your concerts around town. You have kept your feet on the ground which is terrific, when others have not. All my best wishes go with you on all of your future endeavors.

    Comment by gail drouillard — October 11, 2007 @ 7:54 am

  10. Daniel,

    My wife and I have seen you in Jersey Boys three times (so far!) on Broadway and you were superb in the role of Bob Gaudio! We even had an opportunity to chat with you at the stage door after one of the performances. In fact, we also saw you in Rockers on Broadway, Jersey Style, last winter. You are an amazing talent and the producers of Jersey Boys were lucky to have you as a starring member of the show since its debut in La Jolla. All the best to you in all your future endeavors and especially in your next lead role in Candide. My wife and I will look forward to seeing you in that wonderful production.

    Comment by Len Gersten — October 11, 2007 @ 10:32 am

  11. Who is going to replace him now? It won’t be Matthew Scott, because he left a long time ago. Steve can’t do it because he’s with the First National Tour now. What about Erich Bergen? Erik Bates? Eric Gutman? Andrew Gehling? Will they hire a new actor?

    And I always thought Christian would be the first to go.

    Comment by David Young — October 11, 2007 @ 11:57 am

  12. Daniel,
    I was not surprised to hear about you being cast in Candide as yours is a voice to fill the NY State Theatre as no other male singer on Broadway today could. Your brilliant sound will ‘bring down the house’ during the finale of MAKE OUR GARDEN GROW! Can’t wait to witness your City Opera debut as I did your Broadway debut. Best to you and the other great ‘Jersey Boys’ in the future, the Broadway show will continue on but will have a missing link.
    David Pandozzi

    Comment by David Pandozzi — October 11, 2007 @ 1:23 pm

  13. David (comment #11), Dom Nolfi has been filling in as Bob Gaudio and has been with the show since La Jolla, so he’s a distinct possiblity–and, like Daniel, he’s got a terrific voice. Matt Scott only left about a month and half ago for “A Catered Affair” in La Jolla, but my guess is he wouldn’t be brought back. Erich Bergen grew up in NYC, so “coming home” would be a treat. Erich Gutman’s shown great talent! Who knows?

    Comment by Howard Tucker — October 12, 2007 @ 1:25 am

  14. Oh, yes, I forgot about Dominic – I’ve never seen him as Bob, so I can’t comment. He does a good job as Frankie, though.

    Comment by David Young — October 12, 2007 @ 11:00 am

  15. Dominic hasn’t gone on as Frankie in over a year. He is great as Bob and Tommy, however. He stopped covering Frankie when he re-signed last fall. (I believe this was his choice)

    Comment by tally — October 12, 2007 @ 11:24 am

  16. Congratulations, Daniel, on your new role in Candide. You will be as cherished a member of the Candide cast as you are of the Jersey Boys cast. Maybe, you will come back to do a couple of guest appearances as Bob Gaudio. Your multitude of fans would love that!

    Best of everything always. Irene Eizen

    Comment by Irene Eizen — October 12, 2007 @ 3:09 pm

  17. Congratulations on your new journey. You are such a talent. I guess its hard to stay in one place for this long of a stretch. Nothing will ever beat the OBC of JERSEY BOYS! You guys were the best! Soon it will be two. The very best to you in all you do.

    Comment by THEA — October 13, 2007 @ 2:10 pm

  18. THIS IS BOTH GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS FOR ME AS AN AVID “JERSEY BOYS” FAN. AFTER MEETING YOU PERSONALLY. AFTER MEETING YOU AND FINDING OUT THAT BOB GAUDIO WAS AT THE SAME PERFORMANCE, I FELT HONORED TO POSE IN A PHOTO WITH THE MAN WHO PLAYED HIM. I WROTE A LETTER TO YOU STATING THAT RECASTING WOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME IMPACT IN MY EYES… I STILL BELIEVE THAT. YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, BUT I WISH YOU THE BEST.

    Comment by james — October 13, 2007 @ 2:41 pm

  19. I am thrilled for you and sad for jersey boys to be losing such a great talent. i was beside myself to have gotten the chance to meet you after the show in october (our picture is my screensaver ) and if it is possible, i am even more beside myself to be coming back for a third time thursday night for the show all the way from texas and bringing my girlfriends this time. we are hoping to say hello and get one more kodak moment with all of you again. you are the sweetest guys i have ever met and i am completely and totally smitten with each of you! love, christina and thanks for the great shows you have given the world.

    Comment by Christina Andrea — October 30, 2007 @ 11:35 pm

  20. Daniel, Congratulations on your new venture. I was very lucky to meet you twice, the last being at the Actor’s Equity performance. The hightlight of the evening for me was that the people at the Actor’s Equity performance placed me in the front row center, and I got a wink from you! I was singing and dancing with all of you. I had the time of my life. Thanks, Elissa

    Comment by Elissa Chin — November 5, 2007 @ 7:38 pm

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