Applegate out, D'Amboise in permanently- Page 3

[andyf]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 1:54am

This is exactly why I bought tickets for the Boston run...because I didn't think Xtina was going to make it to Broadway, for one reason or another. I can't believe she didn't even make it to Boston, though.

As much as everyone seems to love Charlotte...I'm not traveling 5 hours to see her. Tickets are going back tomorrow.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 1:55am

Here's Shannon Lewis' backstage diary entry for the night of the accident:

" Wow…what a night!!!
Where do I start? Well, let me put it this way. There is bad news and good news. The bad news is that Christina got badly hurt tonight and we had to stop the show about 15 minutes in and send her to the hospital. The good news is that her understudy Dylis Croman got thrown on for the first time EVER and was wonderful! She was in her regular part when it all happened and when they announced to the audience that Christina had been hurt, she was told that the standby Charlotte d’Amboise was still in New York and that she was on! I love live theater!!! She really did a great job, and the audience loved it!! They were really rooting for Dylis because they realized that she had just been thrown on for the role. At the end of the show, Dylis came out, and they leapt to their feet!!! We were all so proud of her.
Of course, we are all thinking about Christina and worried for her. She is a tough cookie; she must have really been injured to keep her off that stage. This is the first show, or even day of rehearsal that she has missed since this all started. So, hopefully she will recover quickly and be back with us soon.
Until then, we have a matinee tomorrow and we have rehearsal before the show. We aren’t sure who will be our Charity Hope Valentine tomorrow, Christina, Charlotte or Dylis. We’ll have to wait and see!!!
I love live theater!!!!"

I, for one, am hoping and praying for Christina's speedy recovery. She seems to really have a lot of herself invested in this production and loves the part. I would feel bad to see her dream get crushed like that. I hope she comes back to the show as soon as she can and is Tony elligible.

To read Shannon's backstage diary click the link below.
Shannon Lewis' Backstage Diary

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:01am

terrible thing to happen to someone, anyone, and its definitely a publicity nightmare- for the show itself, and yeah the tonys too. I wouldnt speculate whether or not Applegate would EVER take on the role tho, plenty of big named people become replacements (we usually refer to it as stunt casting, remember?) so whether or not D'Amboise is eligible, nominated or even wins a Tony, theres always a possibility that Applegate can take on the role in NY next. If shes that dedicated to the role, she'll still want the opportunity even if its a letdown to not open the show.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:08am

Are ya kidding me? Broken foot, indeed. Coincidentally happening at the same time that Barry and Fran fire the other two supporting female leads.

Call me callous, but the whole thing reeks. Bye-Bye Ms. Applegate. Tell your Hollywood friends that doing a Broadway musical ain't as easy as they think it is. Just be happy they let you save face.

And good luck Charlotte. I hope you prove to them that coming up through the ranks is a far, far better thing than "TVQ".

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:20am

I believe she really broke her foot. They wouldn't just oust her 15 minutes into a performance.

As mixed as the reviews for this was I still think she was giving it her best shot. I didn't see her perform so I can't say whether she was good or bad. All I know is what I've been reading. She is devastated. She was truly committed to the show. She changed her life to do the show and moved to New York so she could fulfill a lifelong dream to star in a Broadway show. What happened to her was a cruel twist of fate.

I may not have agreed with the liberties the producers took with this show but I certainly wouldn't lay the blame on Applegate. I believe she was doing the best under the circumstances.

Charlotte D'Amboise will be great in the role, but I still can't help but feel bad for Christina right now.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:30am

as much as i love conspiracy theories, they wouldnt stage an injury in the middle of a show... if they wanted to fake it as a cover, they wouldve said she hurt herself in a rehearsal, not in front of people...

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:31am

Same here Marquise. It's a little difficult for me because I percieve a bit of schaudenfreude (that may my imagination) from some posters when she is one of the few "stunt-cast" performers I really respect for her dedication. Doesn't she have a history in theatre? She didn't deserve an unlucky break like this. I do wish Charlotte well with the role for as long as she is performing it though.

Updated On: 3/15/05 at 02:31 AM

[justme2]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:34am

I repeat some of what I said in one of the other Sweet Charity threads:

I have seen sharks circling dismembered bodies in the water show more manners than some of these Sweet Charity threads!

Yes, I am sure this actress, who moved to New York, gave up movies, and has been busting her ass for the last 5 months would simply buy into a "scam" to stub her toe and call it a broken foot.

For crying out loud, Give the creative team a little more credit. They obviously have no problem getting rid of someone who wasn't right for the role (Tomei, Krakowski, Elfman, anyone?). Bobbie, Weissler and Cilento made a point of sayng they wanted someone who could handle the dancing the role required. Reviews from MN and Chicago came in with strong dancing approval. This is a 9 million dollar production and they are all under enormous pressure as it is.

You call yourselves broadway musical "fans"??? Do you have to wipe the drool from your keyboards as you type your acidic comments? I hope none of you, in your work, ever have to face comments like what you've said tonight.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:41am

Well, justme2, then explain why Natascia Diaz and Solange Sandy were fired.

They got the best reviews out of town, better than Bobbie's, better than Applegate's, better than Cilento's. And they were both fired. Why?

My guess is that Bobbie and Cilento are in way over their heads.

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:41am

i hope none of these "wannabes" ever experience being in a show prior to it's opening and then suffering an accident and then wind up not being able to open the show.

karma's a bitch. it comes back and bites you in the ass.

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:44am

Veuve, they have their reasons for replacing Diaz and Sandy. Whatever those reasons are we don't know but to ASSume or insinuate that Applegate's broken foot is a lie is truly fvcked up on your part.

[justme2]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:48am

Thanks again Marquise....

I don't know why the two were fired. It is NOT my place to speculate, either. It is between the director and the actors. Insinuating that Christina A didn't really iinjure herself and this is all some sort of "conspiracy" is just wrong.

As for Bobbie being over his head:

For the record, there is much more to Walter Bobbie than "Footloose".
He helmed the much lauded "Encores" program.
He conceived and directed "Grand Night for Singing".
His work with Encores continues even today.
His "White Christmas" production in SF last year was a critical and audience smash.
Fiorello
Golden Boy
Compleat Female Stage Beauty
Tenderloin
Twentieth Century
And Chicago, of course.
The list goes on....
But NO....he's having trouble with this show, so now he's a boob and some of you (and I do say some, as I see more mature posts among the many "circling sharks" threads)feel compelled to jump on a "let's mock the director, the actress, the whole show! Come on everyone!" boat.

And....
Many of the negative posters are the same ones weeks ago HAPPY for the show's successes in MN and Chicago. Looking forward to checking out Christina when she came to NY. Hoping for the best product to come of this effort. What changed your minds about a show you haven't even seen yet?

I am STILL hoping for the best, wishing Christina A better, thrilled for Charlotte, and hoping that the sharks will move on.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:52am

Oh, Marquis, I don't doubt that Ms. Applegate is injured. But I suspect that her ego is more injured than her foot.

Did you also believe the press releases which said that Jenna Elfman is still "rehearsing" to go into NINE?

I don't wish anyone involved with the production any ill will. And I hope it turns around, and that Charlotte kicks a$$.

[justme2]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:56am

Veuve,

If you really had hopes for the production, you wouldn't start printing stories about Christina's "ego" being hurt, and not her "foot".

Anyone who calls themselves a musical theater "fan" should realize the damage done by posts like that.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 3:05am

maybe this is a stupid question, but everyones talkin about Tony eligibility... if they really wanted Christina Applegate to open, couldnt they push back the broadway engagement and just be eligible for NEXT years Tony's? Im sure thatd be screwing some contracts & the availablity of the theater and all that, but is it a possibility? maybe cheaper than reworking all the spin on their marketing? *shrug* i have no idea what either means in costs.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 3:09am

Justme, I have no power to do damage. The damage has been done, the show has lost its star.

I care a lot about Broadway. I'm just not fond of being lied to, and this whole situation reeks of mendacity.

Also, if "supporting Broadway" means that a Broadway World poster has to blindly say that every single Broadway show that treads the boards is worthy and needs to be treated equally, then it will mean the death of the art form.

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 3:11am

Veuve, who exactly is lying to and about what?
I ask you again are you insinuating that Applegate's injury is a lie?

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 3:28am

Marquis, I'm not saying she wasn't injured.

But look at it this way: Barry and Fran are now in the best position possible. Charlotte opens the show in front of the NY critics. If they don't like it, there's the excuse that she filled in for the ailing Applegate. But the heat is off.

On the other hand, there's a chance that Charlotte is terrific, and the production can be saved.

Either way, Barry and Fran save face. Applegate can't be blamed. And if the show is a disaster, the whole thing can be explained to the investors as an "unfortunate accident."

They did it before with "Busker Alley." And I'm not saying that Tommy Tune didn't break his foot. But here's the thing. If "Busker Alley" was really such a great show, why hasn't it ever returned?

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 4:14am

Wow, this really is a shame. I don't mean for Charlotte, good for her, but for Christina. I really was looking forward to see her take on the role. But you never know, Christina may be ultra-determined to be in time for Tony eligibility and heal really quickly. I mean, it seems like she really wanted this, so she may just will herself to heal. It really is such a shame, though.

~Steven

[magruder]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 4:44am

Let's not forget the really devastating news here, people. That is that Jonathan Schaech won't be hanging out on 45th Street by the stage door.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 5:11am

That's the best reason I've heard yet Magruder!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 6:38am

I saw the blurb on NY1 a couple weeks back with a scene of a filmed rehearsal for Press and Christina was terrible, and the choreography was really bad. I love Charlotte and hope this becomes a big break that she deserves. Christina is even horrible on those psa's that keep airing about seeing a broadway show - she's just like cardboard on those things...there are SO many wonderful performers out there who deserve their shot at a Broadway Career - I will never understand all this stunt casting (and yes, I know its all about the bottom dollar - but that has nothing to do with ART)

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 7:47am

Hopefully now Wayne C. can really let loose with the choreography since Charlotte can obviously handle it. I'm sure the musical director will have an easier time accompanying her also. Maybe a few new notes etc?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 8:05am

redhot - The rehearsal footage is nothing like seeing the actual show (and why would it be). Applegate was not stunt casting. She was terrific in the role and perfectly cast. I'm sad so many people wrote her off before actually seeing her perform. Unlike most stunt casting, Christina actually had training to take on the role.

[BoxFive]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 9:38am

I agree MM, she was wonderful, and only could go up in the way of performance growth. I won't knock D'Amboise as a dancer, but I have never warmed to her as a lead or replacement lead.