I have mixed feelings about some of the issues being discussed, since I am a fan of Taye. On the one hand, I completely understand how some feel disappointed that Taye is not as prepared as they expected. I understand that with the price of a ticket for a production on Broadway, that there are high expectations. On the other hand, I do think that different actors may demonstrate nerves/anxiety in different ways. Andrew may have shown his nerves/anxiety by looking terrified for half an hour (and the lovely man does have such an expressive face). Taye possibly may react by having trouble with his lines. And it’s very possible that Taye may be brilliant later in his run (based on what several people in this thread have said of his potential), so it very well may be worth a try later. But I do understand if one does not wish to try to view him later, based on principle. It’s up to the individual to decide. (I just hope people give him another try.) If it’s a matter if wondering if it is worth the cost of a ticket, one may always try lottery. I don’t know what is the price of a ticket through TKTS. I’m sure performances on some days are cheaper than other days.
On the subject of preparation, people are bringing up how NPH, Andrew and Darren were more prepared than Taye. Of course, I'm glad that the others were prepared or fairly prepared. I have read about how hard Neil worked to prepare for the role. I'm hopeful that Taye will be more prepared next week.
I don’t know why someone would raise her opinion, in the Taye thread, of how Darren’s performance failed to show he understood the soul of Hedwig, especially in the middle of a discussion of the subject of preparation for the role. Of course, if one wants to state that Taye seems to understand the character of Hedwig, then discuss that in the Taye thread. But I agree with others that if one wishes to discuss her opinion of the failings of Darren’s performance, move that discussion to the Darren thread, so that others who are here to discuss Taye do not need to listen to the debate. It seems there are others (including myself) who are more than happy to engage in a debate with you about Darren’s performance in the Darren thread.
As for the stage door issue, there is no evidence to show that Taye signing for fans for a short time is related in any way to Darren spending more time with the fans at stage door. Any statement that Bobby or other security personnel were not happy with Darren for the amount of time he took to exit the theater, is pure gossip/speculation (as suggested by one person). Based on some of Bobby’s tweets, he seemed fond of Darren (and of all of the other Hedwig actors as well).
I agree with Sami7 , that Bobby had stated once that he leaves it up to the individual actor how long he wishes to be at the stage door. Bobby had mentioned that one Hedwig actor had asked Bobby to wrap things up at the stage door as soon as possible (it wasn’t clear if this was in general for that actor, or just for one night). Bobby had said that Darren had not told Bobby something similar, so it was suggested that Bobby accepted that Darren would take more time to sign. Good for Darren for staying 1.5 hours at stage door. That’s real devotion to your fans. And hats off to Darren for being gracious with people backstage, as well as at the stage door. Like Hedwiginch, I also heard that people who received backstage passes were not merely VIPs who “Darren’s people brought in,” but also were people who were connected to the crew and the rest of the cast who wanted to meet Darren, or who were simply VIPS of the theater and thus it would be desirable to treat them well by giving them backstage passes. It is a bit humorous that the person who stated, in the Taye thread, that the body guards were unhappy with Darren (something that is unsubstantiated) would then suggest that discussion of Darren should not occur in the Taye thread. Perhaps one should refrain from making negative statements of Darren in the Taye thread, so that others would not feel they should respond in the Taye thread to your statements?
If I had to guess (and thus it would be speculation, as others are doing), I would imagine that Taye would want to go home earlier, especially at the beginning of his run, for several reasons (possibly feeling a bit overwhelmed at the beginning, wanting to go over his lines, feeling physically tired). Also, I don’t know if the shortened time at the stage door is related to Bobby having left the Belasco for the immediate future. (I think, but am not completely sure, that he tweeted he would be back near the holidays.) I agree with Hedwiginch that it’s nice for the fans when the actors sign at the stage door, but the actors are not obligated to do so. It's also very possible that as Taye feels more comfortable in the role, he will spend more time at the stage door.
Updated On: 7/26/15 at 05:57 AM
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