Billy Elliot canceled tonight 10/14

Updated On: 5/1/09 at 08:43 PM

Ah, stupid me, should have searched.

For that crickety no-set set??? The producers of this show should really be ashamed of themselves.

Updated On: 10/14/08 at 09:46 PM

I (actually) was there, last row, and I must admit, the way they handled it in my opinion was very unprofessional. 5 minutes to 8, when the possibility of going and quickly getting tickets to another show that night was impossible, the general manager came onstage and explained to the audience the situation. David was supposed to go on that night, and the audience was completely sold out (even the boxes were gone). Also, the amount paid for the tickets is being automatically refunded if you bought it through telecharge. I just bought tickets now for Nov 3rd, when hopefully all the problems will be sorted out.

Also, on all of the seats were taped surveys and pencils. some of the questions included some things duscussed here on the board, like the pace of the show and the accents. Has this happened any other night?

I was there too. I got to the theater about 10 minutes to 8pm, only to see people walking OUT of the theater. My friend and I were really disappointed...luckily I had already seen the show on October 1st...and I was able to exchange by tickets for December 2nd.

I'll be there November 3rd and November 25th as well. Hopefully all the set issues will be worked out by then.

If it was an automation problem, they would have known well before 5 to 8. The stage is preset by the half hour. They probably were trying to find out if it was a fixable problem, but it wasn't something that presented itself last minute.

Forgive me for posting a repeat in a different thread, but since it looks like this later thread has taken over as the "BE 10/14 Cancellation" thread, I thought, to be sure everyone sees them, I'd post my messages from that thread on here too, since they came directly from Greg Jbara. (Thanks for posting the link to the other thread, LaPetiteFromage.)

Tue. 10/14 BILLY ELLIOT performance cancelled
Posted On: 10/14/08 at 08:23 PM

Greg asked me to get the word out. Got this email from him a little while ago. - Barb

QUOTING GREG:

"Tuesday evening performance of BILLY ELLIOT cancelled due to technical difficulty. At 7:55 pm this evening Stephen Daldry gathered the entire company of Billy Elliot (cast, crew, orchestra) onstage and announced that because the house elevator was not responding properly, the decision was made to cancel the performance. All stood onstage in somber silence behind the Act curtain as Nina Lanaan walked in front of the curtain and announced to the audience that the show was being cancelled and they would receive full refund or exchange for their tickets. I can't describe to you the distraught looks on all the company and creative's faces as we listened to the audience's shocked disappointment. I'm being called to the stage. We will be rehearsing this evening soon as the audience empties the house."

END QUOTE

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re: Tue. 10/14 BILLY ELLIOT performance cancelled
Posted On: 10/14/08 at 11:12 PM

UPDATE FROM GREG:

More on the performance cancellation: The problem with the center stage (house) trap was an entirely new issue. Something that had never happened before. Had to do with a manufacturing flaw in an hydraulic valve that opened and closed the upstage half of the circular house trap. At thirty minutes prior to curtain the flawed valve began acting up...technicians tried to repair the valve in time for the 8 pm curtain. Once it was decided that a new valve was needed and that it would take at least an hour for the shop to arrive and install (and there was still no guarantee that the problem would be fixed until tested) the decision was made to cancel the show. Shortly after 9 pm there was a break in the evening's rehearsal and the new valve was tested. All indications show that the new valve is working properly and tomorrow's show will go on as scheduled."

also posted @ Greg's blog [ http://www.gregoryjbara.com/wordpress/ ]

Updated On: 10/15/08 at 01:03 AM

5 minutes to 8, when the possibility of going and quickly getting tickets to another show that night was impossible

It's unprofessional because you couldn't get tickets to another show that night? My definition of "unprofessional" would be going on with the show when the malfunctioning sets could create an unsafe environment for the actors- including children. Get some perspective, and just be grateful you were offered a refund.

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This show won't be around long.

So do you think David went on at the matinee today? Or on tonight?

They cancelled it again?? Wow... hope all is well for tonight and shows coming up. Guess they'll just do refunds again..

What kind of moronic comment is that? Why WOULDN'T you be offered a refund?
When the show isn't canceled, they push on despite huge technical problems, stop the show for 10 minutes, start again, stop for 45 minutes, start again, stop for 15 minutes, start again, then finally end the show at midnight. If you left early, you were walking out and didn't get a refund. If you left at the end, as far as they were concerned, you saw the show and didn't deserve one.

Just because you personally didn't experience it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Pull your head out of your ass and get a clue yourself.

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