Karen Olivo: NYPD issues APB for your apprehension and return to the Palace- Page 5

[hmpeterson]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 10:35am

blaxx: I have to respectfully disagree. I know lots of people who see shows just for performers. I know people who will see anything Kristin Chenoweth is in...regardless of the show. I know people who will drop everything to see Brian Stokes Mitchell is a show no matter what. I know people who go to see every Tony winning acting performance after the Tonys are announced. You are right, most people go to see the show for the show, period. But there are plenty of people who will go see something specifically because of who is in it. Although in this case, I do agree with you that this is WSS and people mostly come to see it because it is WSS.

In regards to Karen, I agree with some of the posters who have said that the reasons she misses performances are none of our business. If she is sick or has a personal matter to attend to, that is her business, not ours. However, I do agree that there shouldn't be frivolous reasons for missing a show. I believe the actor has the responsibility to attend all performances unless there is a serious reason they cannot (sickness, family crisis, etc.) IMO, spending time with your husband before he goes away, doesn't cut it.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 12:34pm

This is ridiculous. Get a life. You don't know her personally. You have no idea what exactly is going on in her life. Please.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 1:49pm

hmpeterson, I'm totally with you. However, I would like to add something more.

While he may have been a little over the top, I think most of you have unjustly attacked the original poster, and you are often oversimplifying in doing so because he is *not* discussing her missing a single performance but rather her by-now infamous reputation for being out on a capricious basis. It seems to me that only blaxx disagreed calmly and articulately.

We may not know the circumstances of her personal life, but on the surface this has looked - and continues to look - unprofessional. Most of you seem to be in agreement with that, and it is indeed expressing that that seems to have been the original poster's intent, even if he dug perhaps a little too deep for supporting evidence.

And hasn't it been known for a while that Arthur Laurents is in a tizzy over the cast's numerous absence?

As far as I'm concerned, that Twitter announcement says most of what we need to know.

I know one thing - I was interested in seeing this production, about 50% because of Karen. Now I no longer think I will stick my neck out to do so.

Updated On: 7/27/09 at 01:49 PM

[bethnor]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 1:54pm

And hasn't it been known for a while that Arthur Laurents is in a tizzy over the cast's numerous absence?

lol. I like how someone "heard" on ATC that Laurents had voiced his displeasure, and that has somehow translated to fact. As if Laurents kept his displeasures to himself.

The OP said it themselves, they don't buy the sick excuse. So it doesn't really matter anymore what her reasons are, people will believe whatever they want.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:46pm

blaxx: I have to respectfully disagree. I know lots of people who see shows just for performers.

And that is just fine. But nowhere does the production guarantees that you will see them. They advertise the show, not the performers. They tell you "Come to this theater at this time, and you will see a performance of such show." Period, nothing else.

Should you be able to see such performer? Yes
Will you? No guarantees

If the performers are above the title, you can get your money back. Otherwise, you can't whine about a specific performer not being in, because the only guarantee they are giving you for your money is a performance of such show, they can schedule absences as they please.

I certainly believe that Karen Olivo could have been in front of the theater having a blast during any performance, and it wouldn't matter why she's not performing.

If the ticket said TONY AWARD WINNER KAREN OLIVO in WEST SIDE STORY, then I would agree, but it's not the case.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 3:17pm

blaxx I agree with you!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 3:50pm

If she was seen outside/near the theatre soon after the show started, did it not occur to anyone else that she showed up for work, discovered she couldn't handle a performance that night for whatever reason, then left once the understudy went on? I know the original poster doesn't believe people can get sick, but some are acting like she came by the theatre just to mock the audience for paying $150 to see her understudy.

To the supporters- please stop making excuses about her spending time with her husband before he leaves. It's really embarassing and pathetic to stoop to fantasizing about her personal life in an effort to defend her. It reminds me of when Sutton Foster fans claimed she couldn't come out the stagedoor at Drowsy Chaperone because she had to spend time with her new puppy. It just makes it look like you're lording over others how well you "know" the performer and it's creepy.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 4:08pm

Hahaha! I remember that puppy excuse.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 5:09pm

When I saw West Side Story, (luckilly??) all three leads were in. When I am paying my hard earned money to see a production I EXPECT those individuals to be in the show. Exceptions of course, are illness, vacation and death in the family. Working on a broadway stage is their job. Stating that "trained seals" analogy is balony. If you don't want the responsibility of being a theatre professional then choose a different field. Spending time with your departing husband is a bullsh*t excuse for missing a performance if indeed that was the reason. I have been lucky over the years to see most leads. The exceptions...Black & Blue both Linda Hopkins and Ruth Brown(who I think won the Tony) were both out and one person sang their songs. What a waste!!! Lea Salongina (spelling) out of Miss Saigon and most recently at Young Frankenstein, both Sutton Foster and Megan Mullahy (spelling) out. Very disappointing. I guess one can look at the beloved Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit. Wasn't she always in and at her age? That is "old school" theatre professionalism.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 5:16pm

I guess my whole point is: it's none of our business why they aren't in the show for any given performance. If it changes your opinion of the performer, so be it. You ALWAYS run the risk of the actor you wanted to see being out when you are there.

I understand it being disappointing, but I just don't understand the tirades over it.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 5:19pm

Art Man, that's right, Lansbury never missed a performance of "Blithe Spirit."

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 5:37pm

'It reminds me of when Sutton Foster fans claimed she couldn't come out the stagedoor at Drowsy Chaperone because she had to spend time with her new puppy. It just makes it look like you're lording over others how well you "know" the performer and it's creepy.'

You are right - I don't know the performer or her personal life. I didn't even say this definitely was the reason she has been missing certain performances. And if it is - who cares? I was responding to the original poster's statement that he heard that Karen Olivo was walking with a man somewhere. I said perhaps she wanted to spend time with her husband before he left for months, and I simply was responding to dshnookie's questions in my post. But I never made some declaration that it was definitely the reason she was absent. Whether you think it is a justifiable excuse or not to miss a performance, it is her business.

You do not know what arrangements she has made with the producers and cast. What if the understudy had family in town? What if Olivo's voice had a problem? And again, if she is just missing performances for frivolous reasons, such as getting a manicure or doing laundry, she is only hurting her career.

Also, the Sutton Foster/puppy excuse seems more absurd, and I don't know why you are comparing the two.

I never said I knew why she was absent, and in the end, it is no one's business.

'When I am paying my hard earned money to see a production I EXPECT those individuals to be in the show.'

I understand people get disappointed when leads are absent, but in the end you have to remember you pay to see the show. It is slightly different when the lead is billed above the title, such as in Patti LuPone's Gypsy.

Updated On: 7/27/09 at 05:37 PM

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 5:55pm

Well just a heads up - Karen will be on vacation from August 3rd-10th for anyone else wanting to go see her.
(This is from her fan facebook, btw).

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 6:58pm

How dare she! (JK)

[mikem]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 7:12pm

Thank you so much for posting the message about her vacation time! I was thinking about going to see West Side Story that week but now will choose another time.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 7:19pm

Martha Plimpton should have won. Karen Olivo was out when I saw In The Heights too.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 7:32pm

I think all the criticisms about her missing performances is fair. I think it's totally not out of the league to complain about a performer not showing up on stage when you've emptied your wallet and your bank account to see the show.

A fair amount of actors have been criticized for missing performances. Some of them are for unfortunate reasons, while others are just unprofessional/undedicated, and I'm afraid I'm starting to think Karen Olivo falls in the latter situation.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 7:40pm

The cast of GOD OF CARNAGE has not missed a single show either.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:07pm

'I think it's totally not out of the league to complain about a performer not showing up on stage when you've emptied your wallet and your bank account to see the show.'

Again, the producers of West Side Story know that a majority of the audiences are seeing the show because of its name and not for a specific performer. You may be in the minority who is paying to see the performer, but you have to remember that essentially you pay to see the show not the performer.

There are some exceptions when people do pay to see the performers. In God of Carnage, the cast was more well-known; they were celebrities people were familiar with. It was obvious that a majority of the audience was paying to see the actors. In these situations, producers tend to bill the leading performer[s] above the title of the marquee, giving audiences the chance to get tickets refunded if a performer is absent. Unfortunately, producers cannot do this with every single show on Broadway. Otherwise, they'd be handing out refunds left and right. And West Side Story is one of the show where the name sells to the majority, not an individual performer.

Updated On: 7/27/09 at 08:07 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:09pm

Again, all four names are above the title....I'm sure they have monetary incentive NOT to miss performances.

I also don't think it's fair to compare a limited run engagement to an open ended one.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:10pm

As a huge Karen fan, I think it would be pretty silly to believe that most tourists are seeing the show to catch Karen. I doubt the majority of them know that she even won the Tony. It's the Broadway fans who want to catch her performance. But her absences have no effect on sales.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:11pm

Especially a tight 90-minute one with no singing.

Nonetheless, I appreciate their professionalism.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:22pm

Everyone complained when Laura Benanti missed a lot of shows for Into the Woods and The Wedding Singer, but she wasn't allowed to say why. And the producers didn't say anything either. Later we found out that she had a severe back injury and had to get surgery.

So I just pray that Karen is ok. It could be a vocal issue or an injury or something. She sounded sick during interviews after the Tonys, but that was almost two months ago so I hope this isn't something very serious and long-term.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 8:26pm

Well she was absolutely/positively sick for the 2.5/3 weeks she was out after the Tonys. And that was verified by people who are friends with her on her private facebook. Her illness was a fact.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 9:31pm

"a tight 90 minute one with no singing"
That's an entirely foolish remark.
You obviously have no idea what it is to do a high powered show onstage almost the entire time.
Olivo has three partial songs and (in this production) limited dancing.
And the monetary incentive is nothing compared to what those actors could make on TV and in Movies.
They love Theatre, the play and the audience.
And they show up.
ijay: entirely/positively sick according to her Facebook friends.
Thanks for the Doctor's report.