Idina at the Oscars- Page 2

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 2/24/15 at 8:12pm

It's all part of the plan. Why else would If/Then be in the Richard Rodgers across the street from that giant Scientology building?

[TFMH18]

Posted: 2/25/15 at 12:08am

I'd never suggest that she should have passed up the oscars opportunity but how crummy for the people who've come to see her that she's been out for two shows. I know it's been a very long run already but people who buy tickets for this week care just as much about seeing her as the people who first saw it last April.

Again, I'd never say that she shouldn't have done the Oscars because I mean wow what a way to raise your profile, but I wish it didn't come at the expense of her missing shows.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 2/25/15 at 12:19am

Yeah, I have mixed feelings about that too. I sure hope the Academy people paid the show producers to release Menzel and lose Sunday's gross. On one hand, I understand why IF/THEN didn't make a notation on Ticketmaster though they must have known far in advance; it's pretty clear to me that it was the Academy that wanted absolute secrecy, since they didn't announce Menzel at all. On the other hand, it's unnecessary for people to spew their ire directly at Menzel (and wow, social media was a complete mess with Shonda Rhimes!). It's unfortunate, but I think her special appearances since December are counting against her otherwise decent work reputation. I mean, she was out today too, echoes of what happened with the ill-conceived UK trip.

The irony now is that the viral moment the Academy was hoping for wasn't the cute banter but Travolta being creepy on two high-profile women, and shade thrown at Lady Gaga being redirected against Menzel.

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 2/25/15 at 9:56am

Definitely a tough situation. I looked at Twitter this morning because I was curious and the official If/Then account was saying that all principals (actually, they wrote "principles" - yikes) were scheduled to be on last night unless announced differently at showtime. So it's hard to say if this was actually "scheduled" or not. I do agree it would sure be nice if the Academy had covered Sunday's loss for the producers.

I don't blame Idina for making other appearances - with this show closing and her career at a high point, she does need to capitalize on her moment. And I do think her track record otherwise has been strong - I don't follow it religiously but she doesn't seem to call out much or bail on matinees, etc. I know the score is friendly to her voice but by the same token it's demanding in that she is on stage for most of the show and it's an emotional performance every night.

I can't speak to others' disappointment because I have seen her in it twice and can easily go back so I wouldn't mind if I got Jackie Burns. But I know that I'm the minority. I guess thgere's always a danger in going to see a show for a specific person. I know it's not the same but I saw Beautiful last month with friends who were on their second time there. We saw the understudy and for my friends it was their second time seeing the understudy! That's a hard pill to swallow and lots of other people around us were grumbling. But by the end of the show no one was upset.

[Pootie2]

Posted: 2/25/15 at 11:29am

"So it's hard to say if this was actually "scheduled" or not."

Hmm, I'm actually now positive that her Tuesday absence was unplanned. James Snyder had tweeted during the Oscars "see you Tuesday." But yes, besides her December-onwards special appearances, the only times I remember Menzel being out (unplanned) were due to illness twice last year, and only because people made a big deal out of it. There's a line between being disappointed/upset and abusive, though. Such is the risk for a star headliner.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 2/25/15 at 5:35pm

Anyone know if she was back in the show today/will be tonight?

[Pootie2]

Posted: 2/25/15 at 5:44pm

She was at the matinee, at least.