Deborah Messing: Scheduled Absences?

[theatregeek25]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 3:55pm

I've been told Messing will not be performing in either of the Wednesday, 5/25 shows.  I would like to see BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Thurs., 5/26.  Does anyone know if she is scheduled to be in Thursday's show?

Updated On: 5/24/22 at 03:55 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 4:04pm

Safe to assume Wednesday matinee will be her only missed day as the play ends it’s run on Sunday (May 29, 2022).

Updated On: 5/24/22 at 04:04 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/24/22 at 4:08pm

I would call The Roundabout to make sure.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 8:32am

She also missed a show or two last week, but no signs of anything on socials. I called Roundabout to inquire and they gave me quite the non-answer. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 9:02am

The run ends on Sunday.  Highly doubt she’ll be missing any more after today’s matinee performance.  

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 10:03am

So she’s just missing the matinee, not both performances?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 10:28am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "So she’s just missing the matinee, not both performances?"

Only the 2pm matinee today, according to the website.  

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 1:03pm

I saw BIRTHDAY CANDLES on May 18 (evening performance). Messing was out; her understudy, Kate Hampton, was competent but not particularly memorable. I liked the play itself but don't feel like it's well served by Vivienne Benesch's high-key, often cutesy production, which smooths some of the sharper, darker edges of the script. I'd be interested to see it again in a more naturalistic, less ornamented staging. Some very good acting in the ensemble, especially Susannah Flood (heartbreaking as the lead character's mentally unstable daughter) and Enrico Colantoni (who I hope does more stage work in the future). Weeknight house was maybe half full, perhaps due to Messing's absence, perhaps to the tepid reviews. 

If you're only interested in seeing Messing, I'd recommend turning in your ticket if she's out. If you're interested in the play or any of the other actors, it might be worth staying. I definitely got the sense that the performance I saw was not Messing's first absence.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 1:55pm

May 18th was actually Messing’s first absence of the run. I’m interested in seeing her understudy but Roundabout says she’s only going on for the matinee.

[EmmaCifront]

Posted: 5/25/22 at 2:12pm

She WILL be on Thursday. She should be back for the rest of the performances, save for MAYBE Sat Matinee. 

[theatregeek25]

Posted: 5/26/22 at 12:41am

Thanks, everybody for your responses.