Broadhurst Theatre Being SUED!!- Page 2

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:16pm

I saw History Boys earlier in the run and did notice that the ushers were terribly loud in dealing with either latecomers or SRO guests. That lobby is so cramped and intermission is just plain hell trying to get to the b-room they must be fairly vigilant about keeping people out of there in case of a fire.

But they could be a little more demure...

Not worth suing over.

[myManCape]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:23pm

Tell me Im the only person who thought to IMDB him.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0119728/

Maybe someone can do the "add photo"

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:26pm

I bet he auditioned for History Boys and was turned down. So now he's getting his revenge.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:27pm

He's also listed on IBDB:

http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=33590

I think he was in the original company of Hamlet...

[myManCape]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:30pm

Too funny Tom,

Look he even has credits at the Broadhurst:
http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=13295

If its the same Donald Buka

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:32pm

Why did a click that link? The last thing I needed to see was a huge picture of a scary looking opportunist.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:36pm

I noticed it was only 20 perfs at the Broadhurst. The show actually ran longer, the ushers just threw him offstage before the show closed! :)

[myManCape]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 9:45pm

This thread is making my night.

I think hes hes still bitter about his bad memories at that theatre. As far as I can tell he never worked for the Shuberts. However I can tell that none of his shows were sucessful. Most closing before 10 preformances.

Side Note: Does anyone know anything about these productions? Or was Donny just realy good at picking flops?

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 10:09pm

I ran his name, and he does have about 50 movie/tv credits. Too bad he wont outlive the Shubert's appeal

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 7/9/06 at 11:17pm

I'm totally in the Broadhurst's corner here.

I've been to plenty of shows where latecomers have thrown veritable tantrums when they've been told they have to wait (ah, the joys of getting standing room tickets...you hear Everything and then some...). I've heard people actually curse at the staff. I don't think I'll ever forget seeing "Enchanted April" and watching an old man get thrown out because he was cursing and swinging his cane at people, trying to hit them.

If anything, I'm guessing he was verbally abusive to the staff, disrupted the show and was angry they actually kicked him out. Hope the lawsuit is thrown out.

[kjklo]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:19am

You can't tell me that he and his party of oldster friends hadn't been drinking excessively at their pre-show dinner. When you buy tickets for History Boys you are informed in no uncertain terms that the show begins very promptly and you must be on time. His age is no excuse.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:24am

He looks like he'd sue if he tripped on someone's sidewalk or something.

I doubt this would happen and no one else see it / say something.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:27am

I worked at the Fantasticks as house manager for many years Off-Broadway and latecomers were always a problem. It was built into the script, as we had to actually walk audience members across the stage to their seats if they were late. The actor would always respond--"I hate it when people walk through my garden."

Little off topic, but I can identify with the staff of the theatre when you get an unruly guest!

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:29am

I am not defending the old goat or anything, but he can be as noisy as anything and be a total tool, but that doesnt give the ushers the right to put their hands on anybody, let alone throw/cause them to be thrown to the floor. If thats what happened, of course. I can be a the biggest jerk in the world, ( which BTW I sometimes am), but if you punch me, you open yourself up for the lawsuit. Thats what the jury is for.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:34am

True, PhillyActor, I never would condone physically harming someone. However, like a flight attendant, there is a way to "handle" someone with force without harming them.

It's a silly lawsuit. God, do we now need BOUNCERS in the Broadway theatre?!?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:45am

Am I the only one who thinks that picture is cool in a weird way and the ascot just makes this bizarre personality match the article?

Updated On: 4/10/07 at 12:45 AM

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:48am

myManCape- That was the first thing I did after opening the article. I went immediately to IMDB.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:49am

C you are not alone. I think (as I said before) his pension ran out and really is just auditioning for the show...or any show.

Or he's just putting the A$$ in Ascot...

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 12:52am

WHatI find funny is that most people are choosing to side with the ushers who are probably typical NYC hardened employees over the 88 year old guy who worked FOUR decades in film TV and Broadway, from the era of style, class and manners. So he wears an ascot...lol...they wore them back then. Hugh Hefner wears a sailors cap and a n ascot and its cool. Leave the old coot alone!!!! LOL Im 35 and I dont care what sneakers I wear already..Ill prolly have parachute pants on when im 90.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 1:02am

PhillyActor, I thought you weren't defending the "old goat". I'm taking no sides, because I don't know the facts, but it sure makes for a fun thread to vent about something that really doesn't harm anyone. I'm 44 and truely don't care what I wear anymore (unless I'm in Rome where it counts!)lol

We've experienced both sides of this story, I assume. Being "handled" by rude people, and maybe being rude to "handlers". Oh well, I never thought of suing...

[C is for Company]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 1:14am

I've absolutely no opinion on what happened, it is so diluted at this point and the truth can only be decided on the notion the judge has.
However, I would cast this guy in a show or something, he seems kind of funny/fascinating. A true character it seems

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 2:16am

WHatI find funny is that most people are choosing to side with the ushers who are probably typical NYC hardened employees over the 88 year old guy who worked FOUR decades in film TV and Broadway, from the era of style, class and manners. So he wears an ascot...lol...they wore them back then. Hugh Hefner wears a sailors cap and a n ascot and its cool. Leave the old coot alone!!!! LOL Im 35 and I dont care what sneakers I wear already..Ill prolly have parachute pants on when im 90.

What pray tell is a "typical NYC hardened employee?" In general, the tourists I've met have been far ruder than the natives at the theatre. It doesn't matter if the man was a Nobel Prize winner or the best actor in the world, he still had no cause to act as he allegedly did. Age does not confer wisdom, and as I said, I have seen plenty of ill-behaved seniors at the theatre. If there was an era of "style, class and manners" back then, it seems a lot of people missed out...

If the ushers actually touched him, of course they were in the wrong. However, I really can't see this being the case. A majority of Broadway ushers are little old ladies, for Pete's sake! I doubt they're picking up and throwing anyone. From the theatre's own response, the cops were called, they were the ones that escorted him out.

Updated On: 7/10/06 at 02:16 AM

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 2:34am

Im not saying the old fart didnt act like his Depends were all bunched up. Thats not the point really. The question is did a few people throw the cranky, old, 2 Manhattans with dinner man, down. If thats the case, then throwing an 89 yo man to the ground or causing him to fall, is more reprehensible than anything he could have done in the SRO section for a minute or two.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 3:07am

I love you phillyactor. We are on the same page.

I really can't imagine the theatre staff would have thrown him down, per se (although they are capable). That would have been wrong. Removing him from the theatre--and God and the judge will only know the truth--was probably less dramatic than he remembers. But what an image! Like a nun stuck in the revolving door with a spear in her head: what is red and white and goes around and around and around...

I still think it's all about his own agenda. IMO.

[donna_darko_23]

Posted: 7/10/06 at 3:14am

I think someone needs money for his family to buy him a nice casket. Horrible thing to say, sorry.