Ben Platt Put On Vocal Rest — Page 4

Completely putting aside Margo319's ignorance and worn down "Millennial" comeback, Skylark3, I am so sorry that happened to you. Yes, we have to always brace ourselves for the chance that the actors we are looking forward to seeing won't be in the show, but its still heartbreaking when we get to the show and that little slip in the playbill says "At this performance"...I had a similar situation when I went to see Fun Home and Emily Skeggs and Michaeal Cerveris were both out, and returned...the day after I saw the show...very frustrating. It happens, but nonetheless, frustrating. I hope that you can sort out a way to see Ben in the role before he leaves. He truly is fantastic.

Anyone know if he will be back this week?

I believe he confirmed yesterday that he is released to be back on Tuesday.

Updated On: 6/12/17 at 10:45 PM

I've already seen DEH twice (once in DC, once at Second Stage), so no sarcasm, but I'm looking forward to seeing his replacement — I'm very curious as to who it'll be and how he'll play it. Until then, wishing Ben Platt much vocal health!

Colton was underwhelming. He has the unenviable job of understudying one of the hottest stars on Broadway right now. His performance was subdued and flew under the radar, largely. I didn't care about his character at all. I was much more interested in his Mother and Connor. Evan only came to life in "Words Fail".

i walked away disappointed. I had resolved myself to seeing an understudy who would rock it. I didn't get that, unfortunately. A terrific ensemble, however.

The box office had a large number of people exchanging tickets and there were even a few empty seats on Tony Sunday. Exchanging isn't really an option for this out-of-towner. I'm back in town on business in July, but of course the box office had nothing available over the length of my stay.

The box office did tell me that my tickets, purchased in December, could be exchanged for dates in January (!), though I'd have to pay the difference in ticket price (an additional $210 EACH) and that they couldn't guarantee the Platt would still be in the show. Single seats at premium prices were available in August.

The box office was terribly sympathetic and professional.

A pretty disappointing experience, the timing of which (suddenly raised prices, Tony weekend, seeing the guy who couldn't perform the matinee sing on TV that night) only added to the let down.

Timing is everything.

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 01:30 PM

The show isn't the star in the same way Hamilton was. On these boards when people would ask whether they should sell their Javier tickets and buy Lin tickets on StubHub they were told no, the opposite is being said of DEH. You would never have seen empty seats at Hamilton this time last year, even with Javier or Jon Rua. People were just desperate to see the show with whoever.

It will have a decent run, but I do think grosses will decrease swiftly once Ben leaves and by the time it closes I don't think it will be have been open long enough to be considered a long-runner.

The show was still at over 100% capacity last week with a $1.2 million gross, and that was with the understudy doing the majority of the performances. The show will have a life without Platt.

DEH will survive the same way Jersey Boys did after John Lloyd Young left, Phantom did after Michael Crawford left, and Miss Saigon did after Lea Salonga left.

Amazing how all of a sudden people are predicting it's failure after sweeping The Tonys not more than 2 days ago. Jeezzzzz.....

nealb1 said: "Amazing how all of a sudden people are predicting it's failure after sweeping The Tonys not more than 2 days ago. Jeezzzzz....."

Fun Home swept the Tonys as much as DEH did and still closed only 18 months or so after. No one is predicting failure either, I think it will recoup (if it hasn't already?) and close within two years of Ben leaving. That's not failure by any means!

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 02:09 PM

HD1313 said: "..I had a similar situation when I went to see Fun Home and Emily Skeggs and Michaeal Cerveris were both out, and returned...the day after I saw the show...very frustrating. It happens, but nonetheless, frustrating. I hope that you can sort out a way to see Ben in the role before he leaves. He truly is fantastic.

"

Are you seriously comparing the absence of Emily Skeggs and Michael Cerveris to that of Ben Platt in one of the most lauded performances in recent Broadway history? And assuming you did experience an equivalent level of disappointment, it would certainly have been a lot easier to get a ticket to another performance of Fun Home (schedule permitting) than another DEH performance.

clb10162 said: "HD1313 said: "..I had a similar situation when I went to see Fun Home and Emily Skeggs and Michaeal Cerveris were both out, and returned...the day after I saw the show...very frustrating. It happens, but nonetheless, frustrating. I hope that you can sort out a way to see Ben in the role before he leaves. He truly is fantastic.

"

Are you seriously comparing the absence of Emily Skeggs and Michael Cerveris to that of Ben Platt in one of the most lauded performances in recent Broadway history? And assuming you did experience an equivalent level of disappointment, it would certainly have been a lot easier to get a ticket to another performance of Fun Home (schedule permitting) than another DEH performance."



Personally, I would put Cerveris' performance in the same league as Platt's. I thought it was masterful. Absolutely one of the best I've ever seen.