NewsOnce Gets New Man and Muse on Broadway March 26; Ben Hope, Laura Dreyfuss, Carlos Valdes, Claire Wellin Join CastBen Hope and Laura Dreyfuss are the new "Guy" and "Girl," respectively, of Broadway's 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Once, beginning March 26. Also joining the cast are Carlos Valdes as Andrej and Claire Wellin as Réza.
By
Kenneth Jones
March 26, 2013
Hope has been manning the role of Guy at the Bernard B. Jacobs since late January, stepping in for an ailing Steve Kazee, who won the 2012 Best Actor (Musical) Tony for playing the broken Irish troubadour who falls for a Czech musician-muse (originated by 2012 Tony nominee Cristin Milioti). Kazee has been out on vocal rest.
The official final performance for Milioti, Will Connolly (as Andrej) and 2012 Tony nominee Elizabeth A. Davis (as Réza) was March 24.
Hope is the leader of the honky-tonk band Ben Hope and the Uptown Outfit (uptownoutfit.com). He has appeared regionally as Hank Williams in Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Buddy Holly in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Dreyfuss appeared on Broadway and in the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning production of Hair.
Valdes has toured with Jersey Boys and appeared regionally in High School Musical, The Wedding Singer and Fiddler on the Roof (WVPT).
Wellin has appeared at regional theatres such as the Lookingglass Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre and Profiles Theatre. She has also been seen on TV's "Detroit 1-8-7" and NBC's "Reconstruction."