Karen Olivo: NYPD issues APB for your apprehension and return to the Palace — Page 2

"my basis is the consistency of her absences as reported by others".

Your basis for what? Labeling her as unprofessional? You still don't have any facts to support that. All you have for facts is that she's had a lot of absences. Anyone who saw her accept her award at the Tonys could plainly see and hear she was very ill. I don't know if you remember some time back when Laura Benanti had frequent absences, and she was attacked on these boards in much the same way. Later it was disclosed that she had a medical problem that the producers would not allow her to talk about. Perhaps there's something of that nature going on. We don't know (that was for emphasis).

As to my not taking you so seriously because of your name, that's an opinion, not an attack. I'd feel the same way if it was I<3ephelba4evr. I'm sure you thought your thread title was clever. I thought it was just silly, misleading, and National Enquirer-ish. Also an opinion. Just like I think it's silly to be so up in arms about a performer being out when you had every reason to believe that it was pretty likely she'd be out. And it's out and out wrong and irresponsible to suggest that a performer go on if she's ill. Obviously, there's an issue, and clearly it needs to be addressed. If she's unable to continue they need to do something about it - but calling her disrespectful to her colleagues and unprofessional when you have no basis in saying so? I take issue with that.

"She probably had the blessings of the producers to take the night off"
One of the most ridiculous things I have read here, especially with her record of absencesses on this show and the fact that there is a portion of the audience, maybe small, that want to see the only Tony winner from the show.
And taking a night off to be with your man who is leaving for LA is the worst excuse (if true) to miss a show, with all the couples in Show Biz if everyone missed a show for that reason, there would be No shows, TV or Movies being made at all.

I find it funny that people are actually chatting up Olivo as a possible EVITA, not only is she 100% wrong for the show, it is a 100% more difficult role and she is obviously not up to that.

I wish her luck.

I'm fairly certain rehearsals start on Monday in CA. I think many are leaving tonight. Additionally, the cast has been at Vassar for the last 2weeks rehearsing as well....so he's already been away. (I'm sure he's been home on weekends, but she's been busy then.)

I don't think there are too many professions that are important enough to not be able to take a personal day.

Sure...Patti Lupone missed very few performances....if she did, the producers would have to refund a poop load of money. I'm sure that big stars like that have quite a bit of incentive NOT to miss performances....but that's just a guess.

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Evita gets an alternate. That's a poor example.

She's never had problems with absences before, it's well known that most of them have been related to illness. But believe you want. Laura Benanti and Donna Murphy went through the same thing, and their careers have been just fine!

Updated On: 7/26/09 at 08:01 PM

You said there wasn't strong competition. And that's not true at all.

Updated On: 7/26/09 at 08:07 PM

Husband.

Anyway, KO's understudy Yanira was phenomenal in my opinion.

Well, THAT is a first.

Indeed, a first! What did we miss when went!?

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Updated On: 7/26/09 at 08:17 PM

It amazes me how most people on this board will give Donna Murphy, Laura Benanti, and Audra McDonald get a free pass when it comes to attendance. But, someone like Olivo gets raked over the coals.

Not sure why. Just an observation.

And for the record, I'm not a "fan" of Olivo, or any of those women. I've enjoyed individual performances they've all given at some point, but I'm mostly indifferent about them.

I would be surprised if this were a planned absence -- Josefina is out for 2 weeks and I agree with the poster who said that the producers typically would not allow two of the three leads to take planned absences at the same time unless there was some serious issue (which could be happening and we just don't know about it). No one is saying she can't take time off, but just that she should be coordinating it with her co-workers. Most people have to do that.

I obviously don't know Karen at all, but she seems pretty smart and I don't think she would be skipping for a reason like that given how much controversy has been generated about her schedule and that Josefina was going to be out as well. She already had at least one other absence in the past couple of weeks (both Matt and Karen were out for the July 12th performance; again, 2 leads were out). If she has planned absences, she should be using broadwayunderstudies.com or some other method of publicizing it. If she did that, there would be no controversy. Even though Josefina has had more absences than she has, broadwayunderstudies is telling us that she's scheduled to be out for 2 weeks so no one is feeling like she's being tricky.

My personal theory (based on nothing): Karen was sick, and she and her husband were walking on the street because they went to the drugstore or something, not because they were out on the town.

And I do think that part of the problem is the refusal of the producers to be flexible about refunds/exchanges when someone is out.

Does Audra McDonald have a bad track record for missing performances? I didn't know that.

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Updated On: 7/26/09 at 08:29 PM

If she has planned absences, she should be using broadwayunderstudies.com or some other method of publicizing it.

She doesn't have to do any such thing, nor should she be required to. Plus, I'm almost 100% positive that just about all of the announcing on that website comes from the understudy who's going on, not the performer going to be out. The site was designed as a way for understudies to publicize their appearances, not for regular performers to announce their absences.

Updated On: 7/26/09 at 08:32 PM

singtopher, because I wanted healthy, interesting debate such as this.

My response was filled with sarcasm, if it wasn't obvious.

My gripes are:
1. KO is missing performances, scattered and inconsistently - why?
2. If she is ill, and it is prolonged and ongoing - why not make an official statement? (which doesnt have to be detailed, "personal time" or "illnes" is sufficient).
3. Producers knowingly giving leads time off when other leads are on vacation is unacceptable.
4. If producers are prohibiting KO from speaking about her issues, performance/health whatever they may be - that in itself is shameful.
5. If KO is missing performances for the hell of it, and the producers are fine with it - so be it, and good luck to all of them for running a bang up show (again, sarcasm).

What show(s) did Donna Murphy miss performances in? (I don't know, hence ask).

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