Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:20pm
I think you are right - the producers should have known the stupidity they were up against and done something about it (I suppose given they were stupid enough to cast Oak in the first place if they wanted to make a dollar, it also makes sense).
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:21pm
"Yup...the fault lies solely with the decisions of the producers."
Completely. They're professionals and should know better. Or hire people who do.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:22pm
I guess it's noble of Mr. Patinkin but isn't he sort of saying, I agree with the recent tweets, they were firing a black actor, for me, a white actor? And just how was Mr.Patinkin "misled"? Was he told that Oak wold return to the cast when he finished up? I doubt Oak's contract came into his negotiations for the role.
If something is racist, scream it out. But here it seems off kilter.
Don't know why I thought of this but Darlene Love was announced for Trip of Love, Off-Broadway. She went into the show later than scheduled, due to her scheduling problems it was noted. She went in on a Friday and the show suddenly closed that Sunday. She played 4 performances. Now this show had played to empty houses for nearly a year before Ms. Love went in. Then, suddenly, the Producers closed it. Because she was African American? Of course not. The bank roll suddenly came up zero and they had to close. Great Comet will only close if there isn't enough money. No other reason.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:24pm
Is it kind of like the stupidity we're up against with you, qolbinau?
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:25pm
leighmiserables said: "So, uh, I'm off to go scream into the void for all eternity. Anyone care to join me?
"
Oh heck yeah. I had been waiting so long to get into this show (had to get past the part in War and Peace) and literally two weeks later this happens. I had just fallen in love with this show and to see this happening to everyone involved (and the devotees with no chance of getting tickets)....ugh. My day WAS going fine.....
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:25pm
EthelMae said: "I guess it's noble of Mr. Patinkin but isn't he sort of saying, I agree with the recent tweets, they were firing a black actor, for me, a white actor? And just how was Mr.Patinkin "misled"? Was he told that Oak wold return to the cast when he finished up? I doubt Oak's contract came into his negotiations for the role.
If something is racist, scream it out. But here it seems off kilter.
Don't know why I thought of this but Darlene Love was announced for Trip of Love, Off-Broadway. She went into the show later than scheduled, due to her scheduling problems it was noted. She went in on a Friday and the show suddenly closed that Sunday. She played 4 performances. Now this show had played to empty houses for nearly a year before Ms. Love went in. Then, suddenly, the Producers closed it. Because she was African American? Of course not. The bank roll suddenly came up zero and they had to close. Great Comet will only close if there isn't enough money. No other reason.
"
I don't think he's agreeing it's racist. My guess would be he was told that Oak agreed to take a short break for him and was on board with it and there would be no issue. And now he stepped in to a buzzsaw. And he learned they were forcing another actor out to get him in. Clearly that rubbed him the wrong way
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:28pm
orlikethecolorpurple said: "Is it kind of like the stupidity we're up against with you, qolbinau?
"
Exactly mate. If you can help a brother out I'd like to be schooled on how to get offended at everything and how to ruin careers because of my emotions. I am clearly too stupid to understand that. Perhaps I need to open a twitter account.
#oakfillthetills
#oakpaythebills
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:29pm
Malloy just said "...so sorry to have missed the racial optics of it."
That is the STUPIDEST thing I've read in a long time. This is one of the most racially diverse shows on Broadway. There is NOTHING WRONG with replacing someone who nobody knows and is causing your show TO CLOSE with someone who could keep it open.
Hes is trying to appeal to the same dipsh*t hashtag warriors who caused Mandy to back out.
Updated On: 7/28/17 at 05:29 PM
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:29pm
Both sides failed this show- the Kagans and their continued tonedeafness and the Twitter outrage hivemind that would rather score woke points that look at a bigger picture.
This. Money often comes in the way of logic. The need to be offended and seem socially conscious will always hurt the cause, whether those posting it want to realize it or not.
As Mandy Patinkin (appropriately enough) sings in Evita, "she didn't say much but she said it loud."
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:30pm
My initial reaction to the Patinkin news was that it sounded like a desperate ploy, given the brief tenure he was supposed to have in the show. And now we know why the producers were desperate. They were trying to buy a little time, and a short box office boost while they hoped against hope to find a big name.
I doubt they get that big name now. I just hope the show can go out with some dignity at this point. I guess it won't be touring. It's such a wonderful musical, easily my favorite since Hamilton. The creators and cast deserve a lot better than to go out this way.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:32pm
schubox said: "rosemarycountess2017 said: "Well, now I feel bad both for Oak and Mandy. And I really wanted to see Mandy in this show. I hope to see it for the first time with any cast, but... Idk, I feel like either they are kindly asking Mandy or Oak to return, either the show is closing. Which is the worst option.
"
I would assume Mandy let Malloy/Chavkin/the producers know he was dropping out before emailing the NYT. I'm holding out a probably false hope he'll change his mind, I don't see it happening though.
"
Same. But I really want to hope it's not going to close in such a horrible and messed way. Although everything looks like it would.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:35pm
orlikethecolorpurple said: "This is on the producers and it's insane to instead blame those who march toward civil justice. A black actor mere weeks into his run was ousted for a white actor, who is a legend, sure, but with no explanation other than "well, Mandy wanted to do it!" It's short sided to have not anticipated people would be off put. The casting decision was, as we know now, made out of necessity. It's announcement made the decision seem thoughtless. Had the producers been at all adept in public relations, they would have laid out the facts and formed a joint statement that also included Oak and Mandy. They shot themselves in the foot.
It's a really sh*tty situation for a bunch of crazy talented artists. I love this show and it pains me that I may not get to see it for a second time. Best of luck to all involved.
"
Exactly. The producers have the right to hire and fire whoever they want. But their communication lacked insight and coordination. No they are not (necessarily) racist, but for a show that supposedly takes so much pride in its diverse cast, they certainly have no understanding of race politics and completely out of touch.
And Dave's Tweets were even more damning, making it clear that they've offed Brittain in the past, and are now doing it to Oak.
We understand that they need to keep the business afloat, but you really need to get your messaging and spokespeople in order. Too late now.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:35pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Malloy just said "...so sorry to have missed the racial optics of it."
That is the STUPIDEST thing I've read in a long time. This is one of the most racially diverse shows on Broadway. There is NOTHING WRONG with replacing someone who nobody knows and is causing your show TO CLOSE with someone who could keep it open.
Hes is trying to appeal to the same dipsh*t hashtag warriors who caused Mandy to back out.
While it t may not have been a racist move, not being honest and up front about the financial reasons for the move will lead for others to believe the decision had other motives.
Of course, it has nothing to do with race in the end. The producers should have taken a piece of humble pie and disclose their true intentions, instead of pretending their mega hit show was changing performers just because. Speculations are unavoidable if you are not clear and honest.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:36pm
My friend was going to buy tickets for the show.. is it even worth it anymore? Should I tell her to go see another show instead?
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:40pm
I think the only way this show stays open for more than one month is if Josh Groban somehow magically comes back. I don't really see it happening, but it's still more likely than they finding another big name to keep it afloat. F*CK, I really loved the show 
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:41pm
When do you think we hear something official from the show? They have to say something soon right?
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:41pm
youwillbefound2 said: "My friend was going to buy tickets for the show.. is it even worth it anymore? Should I tell her to go see another show instead?"
Does she want to see Great Comet? If yes, she should buy tickets to it.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:42pm
I never thought Oak was let go because of his race. He’s probably an excellent actor and singer but he’s no box office star. I follow a lot of Broadway and I had no idea who he was. Whenever I listen to the OCR of Great Comet, I react negatively to the music. You can’t expect a tourist audience to sit through that without star casting.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:44pm
trpguyy said: "youwillbefound2 said: "My friend was going to buy tickets for the show.. is it even worth it anymore? Should I tell her to go see another show instead?"
Does she want to see Great Comet? If yes, she should buy tickets to it.
I just meant that since people think it's going to close is it even worth it to buy the tickets and have to go through the process of refunds. I know nothings been confirmed yet and these are just assumptions, but just in case
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:47pm
I am still in utter disbelief that this became a race situation. My mind is just blown, I'm unable to put it into words.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:47pm
This is the same tone-deaf casting team behind the All white cast of Prince of Egypt.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:48pm
When did "optics" become just a buzzword. It's so frickin' annoying. Everyone's watching too much cable news nowadays.
The only colors that matter here are green and black, because there's nothing but a black hole where there should be some green. That is the only motivation, not whatever racially charged nonsense you want there to be to make you feel like showbiz is actually fair and just, when really it's about making money.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:48pm
So the lead producers wanted to save face by not admitting their show was on the brink of closing so they misled a Broadway legend into what would have been a highly anticipated comeback whilst screwing over a younger, but socially popular actor all so the producing team wouldn't have to admit failure. And that "face-saving" made them fail the entire company.
Here's another problem: Oak was scheduled to be in through Sept 3, but then asked to leave Aug 13 so the show could "make the big bucks" with Mandy. Grosses probably would have been over $1M+ with all his Broadway and Homeland fans. How high are the running costs that the producers couldn't have done a small priority loan to bridge those two weeks. (Of course this is assuming Mandy could have come in after Sept 3 and that the timing wasn't "due to his Homeland schedule" but rather the desparation of the production as Malloy outed in his tweets).
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:48pm
Some of these people thought that Oak should have been nominated for a Tony for Hamilton. This was always going to be a ****show.
Posted: 7/28/17 at 5:49pm
youwillbefound2 said: "trpguyy said: "youwillbefound2 said: "My friend was going to buy tickets for the show.. is it even worth it anymore? Should I tell her to go see another show instead?"
Does she want to see Great Comet? If yes, she should buy tickets to it.
I just meant that since people think it's going to close is it even worth it to buy the tickets and have to go through the process of refunds. I know nothings been confirmed yet and these are just assumptions, but just in case"
Getting a refund for a show that has closed is no more involved than buying the tickets in the first place.
