DR. SEX Closing Perf/Unprofessionalism from a cast member

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 3:40pm

Jenn Simard was kind enough to pass off four comps to the closing performance to me and my friends and, once again, we had a blast. Hearing that amazing woman belt her heart out is a blessing in of itself. But getting to enjoy a good laugh for a few hours is a blessing, too. Sometimes escapist theater is a nice way to get away from the thought of subway threats, the drama of life, the disappointment of love, etc. etc.

Anyway, onto the performance. There really isn't much to say since my first review except for the fact that the extremely talented Jared Bradshaw went on for Brian Noonan as Dr. Alfred Kinsey, the title character, in the FINAL PERFORMANCE. Best of all - it was Jared's first time going on. Some moments with a script in hand, some moments calling for line, some moments giving it his all as if you had no clue he had never played the role before.

To say that Brian's calling in sick displays an extremely unprofessional attitude of calling in for his final performance when, frankly, he just wasn't all that sick to begin with, is an understatement. I'm sure the entire cast felt extremely betrayed by their leading man abandoning them for their final performance. However, Jared went on and saved the show. His rendition of the closing, 11 o'clock number, "Book-Chicka-Boom" was above and beyond Brian Noonan's AND it was his first time performing the number not in a rehearsal setting. As a fellow actor (although only currently a theater STUDENT), just watching the number makes it obvious how extremely difficult the number must be and Jared did not flub once during it.

At the close of the performance, there was a standing ovation which Jared most certainly deserved.

Keep your eye out for the name Jared Bradshaw. He's going place, folks. And just close your eyes to the name Brian Noonan because, well, he's not going anywhere anymore!

[Craig]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 3:45pm

"To say that Brian's calling in sick displays an extremely unprofessional attitude of calling in for his final performance when, frankly, he just wasn't all that sick to begin with, is an understatement. I'm sure the entire cast felt extremely betrayed by their leading man abandoning them for their final performance."

Do you really know the reason WHY he called out "sick"? It seems that there are several posts on this message board where people assume to know and make judgements based on what they, themselves think they know. Not saying this is the case, just making a point. As for the cast feeling betrayed, again - that's a judgement call that you may or may not be able to substantiate based on the true reason he called out. I'm sure they wouldn't/don't feel betrayed if there's a legitimate reason.

[mikewood]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 3:46pm

Maybe he was, you know, SICK.

[Shawk]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 3:49pm

I have seen Brian Noonan in several productions and he always seemed perfectly professional to me from the standpoint of an audience member. I don't have any information as to this incident, but your wording is pretty harsh; sometimes people do get sick at unfortunate times.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 3:55pm

Unless you're his doctor, you don't know how sick he actually was, so you can't call it unprofessional. If he came in delirious from fever, kept forgetting his lines and had to run offstage to vomit, someone else would only complain how "unprofessional" it was that he DIDN'T call out sick.

[lildogs]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 3:59pm

I can understand your frustration at the guy: on one hand, he might really be sick and completely unable to perform; or he just didn't want to do the last show.

I would have to be DEATHLY ill to miss the last performance of a short run in which I played the lead, but not if I had two broken legs, or laryngitis, or something else...it would be interesting to know what the deal was.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:00pm

Kathleen Turner missed the final performance of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in Boston because she was ill. Would you call that unprofessionalism?

Unless you know FOR A FACT that he was not sick and just blew it off, you really have NO RIGHT to call him unprofessional.

[shameless]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:05pm

From reading the subject line, I thought that one of the cast members did something offensive and unprofessional during the show. What a letdown!

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:11pm

I actually have spoken to members of the production team about their feelings on the subject. And from what I was told, he wasn't that sick and many people did feel very betrayed.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:15pm

So, what, are you their middle man now? Why air the dirty laundry on behalf of other people?

Until I see a press release saying "Dr. Sex cast members really hate Brian Noonan," this is below the belt. Quit it.

[442namffug]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:18pm

Oh Craig,

You never fail to make me laugh. And for all the wrong reasons.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:20pm

That unprofessional Idina Menzel shouldn't have called in sick for her last performance of Wicked either.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:24pm

She didn't miss the entire performance, she still came out for one scene- but out of costume and high on painkillers. Perhaps iluvtheatertrash would have preferred if Brian Noonan had done this.

Updated On: 10/10/05 at 04:24 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:28pm

That's entirely different though. Idina put her unprofessionalism on display every night on-stage for the entire run...

[lildogs]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 4:31pm

ZING!


Everybody, come on...it's just gossip and folks gossip on here all the time. We're mostly grown-ups and we can read the posts and decide for ourselves, right?

Most posts on the board are opinions anyway, why is this any different? Updated On: 10/10/05 at 04:31 PM

[chitown]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 5:05pm

and explain to me WHY we should listen to the advice of a 'theatre student' and 'shut our eyes' as far as Noonan's career is concerned.

From what I've heard, he was far too good to be in this show anyway. And unprofessional?!!! This is too funny..from the beginning, this show was based in unprofessionalism.

I can tell you for a fact that the writers came to a few rehearsals either intoxicated or otherwise (not judging their personal choices...just their professional ones) and tell the ladies in the cast (and I quote) - 'Go out tonight, get laid and come in with #$@* all over you'. God's honest truth. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

So Noonan was sick and some cast members were bent out of shape...big deal. I'm sure he'll go on to great things, as he is apparently a big talent. And...I'm hoping it will be in a more professional environment.

Updated On: 10/10/05 at 05:05 PM

[lildogs]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 5:28pm

To play devil's advocate, how do YOU know that? And iluv's opinion is just as valid as anyone else's....I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin....

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 5:32pm

It's threads like these that make me question my own sanity for posting on this board. Theatertrash, the ONLY unprofessional behaviour displayed, from what I gather, is a cast dumb enough to be airing their dirty laundry to you.
Updated On: 10/10/05 at 05:32 PM

[chitown]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 5:48pm

I know because I was in the cast of the first reading - I was at those rehearsals and I witnessed the conversations w/Sally and Larry first hand. Sorry, I didn't mention that before because people on here crucify me every time I mention that I was indeed involved with the production as a way to back up my feelings on the show. Apparently proof or judgements based on experience are not welcome here.

As for a cast airing their dirty laundry to a 'theatre student/musical theatre-head' - yes, I agree, that is just plain unprofessional.

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:29pm

Brian Noonan was in the Les Mis touring cast the first time I ever Saw Les Mis, and was not there.

Then a few years later I saw Cats tour...and Brian noonan was in the cast, and was not there.

I thought maybe he just didn't like DC lol

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 8:34pm

Folks..don't even waste your time with this phoney thread.

Check out "All That Chat" on talkinbroadway.com where this same poster has written a similar story of "unbelieveable" bravery and "supurb" performance from Jarod. You would think this actor is the second coming.

Theatertrash (how appropriate) obviously knows the actor and is just "shilling" for them. Look at the "All That Chat" posting...they're even kind enough to give us Jarods web page address.

Theatertrash...indeed.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 9:10pm

I was also at this performance and though I found the show less than stellar, I thought Jared handled himself with great confidence and had an AMAZING performance. It was well worth the gushing. I'd love to see what he could do with a part if he actually WAS prepared.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 10:09pm

Did this show not have understudies?
Was this guy the understudy? If so then why was he calling for lines and holding the script? Am I missing something here?
Updated On: 10/10/05 at 10:09 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 10:18pm

Honestly, I just met Jared a few days ago when he recognized me at SWEENEY TODD (he was seeing it the same night I was and recognized me from DR. SEX). The guy was fabulous for someone's first performance in a role he'd never actually done a full run of.

And, whatever. Think what ya want.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 10:22pm

Could you answer my question? I really did want to know