What an interesting thread. Thanks for the entertainment.
Since I have just as few FACTS as anyone else -- he is what I AM SURE will happen (LOL)
1. Opening night is Monday. It will remain. This is a business and tickets have been sold. If you push it back a week you lose a week's revenue. Ouch. Why? How many people gonna show up and demand a refund if Andy Karl isn't on?
2. Andy Karl will not go on tomorrow. If he was hurt enough to walk on a cane right after the injury with the adrenaline flowing, then he is too hurt to risk his entire adult life on screwing up an extraordinarily important part of his performing future. Besides, no producer in his right mind (nor their insurer) would allow it. You know how factory workers need to be cleared by the company doc to return to work? Just sayin. Take your time Andy -- take it from an old man (cheap song title reference).
3. He will be nominated for the Tony, despite the rule. The rule exists so the person being considered with be the "person who created the role." He's already done that, in London and in NY up until now. We all Know that the understudy has been working his butt off to be "just like Andy" rather than to create a role. His job is to be as much like the guy he is replacing not just for the benefit of the audience, but for the benefit of the rest of the cast. People on these Boards know that. Which also means that:
4. Outside of a small circle of friends (as Phil Ochs said) no one cares who is playing the role come Monday night. Or Tuesday. Andy Karl isn't a star like that -- he is not the person selling the tickets. No one (except for maybe one person I can think of) has said -- hey, Andy Karl is going to be on Broadway, let's go see him..... OK, maybe two people. You can number on your fingers the Broadway performers who have that kind of box office pull -- (maybe a thread for that -- stars who can sell tickets regardless of what the show is) -- Maybe Audra, used to be Bernadette Peters, but probably no more -- looks like Bette Midler this year -- Neil Patrick Harris? --
Not Andy Karl.
(maybe someday Andy -- now take care of your knee and don't let anybody talk you into coming back before your are 100% ready.)
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