Billed Above the Show Name, Money Refund Question

[cglaid]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 9:26pm

I had a question. I was thinking about going to see Gypsy when Patti LuPone is on vacation. I've seen her in the show four times now and I'd love to see the audience's reaction to her absence and how her understudy handles Rose. My question is, if Patti's vacation time is documented and I either buy full price tickets or student rush tickets, will I be refunded? Even if Patti documents her absences on her website (do they list it on telecharge/ticketmaster?), will the audience still be able to get their money back?

[jordangirl]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 9:37pm

I don't know what happens if people bought their tickets before it was posted, but if it is listed on telecharge (which I understand they do list planned absences by NAME people) at the time the ticket is purchased, I'd say probably not. Because they were informed. Unless of course the theatre management decides to be nice.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 10:07pm

If you attend the show, they will not refund your money.
Refunds are only given to those who no longer wish to see the show because the Big Name is out.

[nealb1]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 10:17pm

4 years ago when I was in NYC, I bought a ticket for "Phantom Of The Opera," to specifically see Hugh P. When I opened up my program, a white insert fell out, and he was out. Went right up to the box office, asked for a refund, and they gave it to me - no questions asked.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 10:20pm

To be honest, Telecharge announcement or not, I'd guarantee they WILL refund money if she is out. That's just asking for a huge lawsuit - no judge would ignore the fact that everywhere it is announced: PATTI LuPONE in...whocaresyourejustheretoseeher.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 10:24pm

If a star is listed above the title and doesn't show, you're entitled to a refund, I believe.

CAVEAT: Roundabout/MTC are very sneaky about this. When they did Love/Musik several years ago, they put Cerveris'/Murphy's name in the cast, but not above the title. Ergo, if the understudy went on, you were out of luck. Anyone planning to see Man for All Seasons (I am not) should check to see if Langella's name is above the title.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 10:27pm

is Patti even taking a vacation from Gypsy?

and there will be an announcement on Telecharge; I remember there were announcements during her absences from Sweeney (one of which was to do Gypsy at Ravinia).

[Jonna]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 11:50pm

When is Patti going on vacation?

[winston89]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:01am

I honestly don't know if they do it if it is a planned vacation. My guess is that they would. I mean the person at the box office could say that it was announced online which would be fair and true and the person who is getting a refund could say that they didn't know that they announced it online.

I am surprised that they gave you a refund for Phantom because non of the three leads are above the title. I remember I got a ticket to see Phantom without realizing that the alternate was going on and I didn't realize that and I didn't want to see her. They said that I couldn't get a refund. I realized after the fact that it is a different situation with the alternate because even though Loycano is considered an alternate she is just as much a lead as the is.

[CarolynaGirl]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 8:09am

One of my friends e-mailed Patti right before she suspended Ask Patti a few weeks ago to ask if she had any vacations planned and she said she did not.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 8:21am

I'm confused by the actual question that sparked this thread.
Colaid first claims a desire to see an understudy play Rose and then asks whether a refund can be obtained if LuPone is on vacation.

What is Colaid trying to say here?

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 9:10am

^He/she is asking if the audience can get a refund since it is planned that Patti is taking a vacation or if they can't since it was a planned vacation.

I was wondering the same thing myself but about Wicked. Kerry is going to be off on Oct 14th and 15th and if people at that show can get refunds also. Julie has announced it on her website and Facebook and it is listed on broadway understudies also.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 10:18am

Yeah, my guess would be that they still have to give refunds for anyone who asks. A lot of people go see the show for Patti, but not everyone knows to check online beforehand, or might not have seen it.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:24pm

I think they are asking if they can sit through the show and then be refunded and the answer is NO.

They clearly give refunds if Patti is out, for any reason - but you have to show up at the theater and then see that she is out and ask for a refund - preferably before the show starts. You can't go in, watch the full show, and THEN ask for your money back. Obtaining the refund requires not going to see the show.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/27/08 at 12:33pm

I have heard of situations where they did let you get a refund or reschedule and still see the show that night.

I remember hearing about how Wicked is one of the shows where this happens. I remember I bought a ticket to Wicked and found out from Julie at the stage door between shows that she was going on that night. Honestly, I didn't know if it was on her facebook or whatever. But, when they put up the sign that said that Elphaba would be played by Julie Reiber then I could have done something about that at the box office.