Does Karen Olivo do matinees in MOULIN? Thanks!

Yes, I saw her in the Saturday matinee a few weeks ago.

There are several postings on this, so I used an old one....

Bought ticket when Olivo wasn’t doing Tuesdays, several posters said she does Thu matinees, and yet showtime on 2/20 and understudy on. Has her extra day off changed? If yes, feel cheated. If not, think it unprofessional to have a sketchy attendance record for a pivotal star performer.

No announcement was made that she would be out. Changing the cast board and putting a full cast insert with no indication this was planned or last minute understudy insertion. So, my question is... where do they post performer schedules? I have heard Olivo’s attendance record is not great, in the past I have seen her in the shows she has been in.

Ive been attending NY theater for 30+ years, have seen many wonderful unexpected understudies so not inexperienced in this, but... in this case it was a big letdown. I did all I could to try and ensure I’d see Olivo to no avail.

Updated On: 2/22/20 at 02:07 PM

Saw something interesting on ticketmaster website... it states that Olivo was going to play her normal day off Tuesday evening on 2/18 and 2/25. I can only guess she switched performance off from Tues eve to Thu matinee this week. So, classic bait and switch.... was it her accommodating the Tuesday performer at the expense of the Thu matinee ticket holders? I can say with pretty good certainty it was not posted when I bought tickets (I did see the seat selection page noted Aaron Tveit vacation days... and she just had a vacation outage in late Jan).

Sketchy all the way around by the entire operation... and at these overstuffed ticket prices?

I saw Olivo last Thursday, 2/13, and my understanding is that she has been sick ever since.

Honestly, I know how it feels to have the one person you want to see call out, but you didn't miss much. Superbly talented, but I think she is miscast in this role.

Kea4 said: "I follow the Satine standby, Ashley Loren, on Instagram and she is on OFTEN, like 3 shows a week on average. I don't think you can predict when Karen will be out. However, I've seen both in the role and prefer Ashley. Karen is incredibly talented but I just think Ashley fits it better and has better chemistry with Aaron."

Thanks for your input, I shouldn’t have been so harsh on her performance. And I’ll admit, my opinion may have been part disappointment. I will probably eat my words when she becomes more well known and I clamor to buy a ticket to see her in a show.

Understudies are a fact of life and I have seen incredible performances (as recent as last June when I saw Amber Gray’s understudy in Hadestown.... and I was REALLY disappointed to miss Amber). And to highlight my age... saw understudies in for Harvey in the original Torch Song twice and Jennifer Holiday in the original Dreamgirls. My apologies to all hard working, dedicated understudies.

suicidalmickeymouse said: "I am TRYING to see Ashely (saw Karen in Boston and she was very good) but Tuesdays do not work for me. Does anyone know of any vacations or pre planned dates in the coming months?"

Ashley always posts on her IG stories when she's going to be on (I think usually the morning/afternoon of the show). I'm not sure if you are local, but that's a good way to make sure you are going to see her.

Yes, she did the first couple numbers and then there was a pause for a few minutes and then Ashley came on for the rest of the show. It was a shame but she really didn't seem well!

Sutton Ross said: "She absolutely does not perform 8 times a week. She performs Wednesday - Sunday afternoons. However, last night she arrived at work and tried to perform, but could not. She went live on her IG story about it and said how grateful she was for Ashley Loren. She's been battling the flu for a week so give her a break."

I totally understand your viewpoint but it all seemed kinda obtusely dishonest.

No notification was made saying she was out, either in a Playbill insert or announcement before performance (I did not look, but I’m sure the cast board in the lobby had the understudy name). The ENTIRE cast list was the Playbill insert. So, from appearances, it would seem she wasn’t scheduled for this performance (contrary to the published schedule when I booked my ticket). But, she was scheduled and unexpectedly understudied.

I’ve already posted here that understudies are a fact of life and my experience has been very positive. But frankly, the way this is handled doesn’t seem very transparent or honest.

And to add some humor... saw a play in SF years ago starring a fairly well known actress. I was surprised that the understudy (who looked very similar) played the first act. During intermission I mentioned to my friend there was no understudy announcement. He laughed and said “it’s her, she had a nose job.” Honest true story.

She usually does do Thursday matinees. I don't think there was anything dishonest about it, perhaps she warmed up and could not perform. But, I know that's a rule for them to have to tell people there is an understudy, either on the board in the lobby, in the playbill, or over the loud speaker. It's unfortunate you didn't see her, but she just isn't known for her stellar attendance record, she keeps getting hired though so I don't think people mind, she's an incredible talent.

I would actually WANT to see her standby. Ashley Loren is a fantasic performer and in a way I've seen a preview of her Satine in the past. She played the role in BAZ: Star Crossed Love. Might have been a Vegas variety show but she KILLED the score in it and her acting was killer. After catching her in that, I can only imagine how great she plays the role in the full production. Wish I lived closer to be able to just pick up and go see one of her performances when she posts she's going to be on but just a little to far and last minute ticket prices a little to high for that.