Laura Benanti on Medical Leave, Tina Maddigan to fill in.- Page 4

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 7:01pm

I agree with the previous poster in that Benanti probably won't return to the role of Julia.

The fact is, it looks as if she'll be out for at least another month or two, and this extended break is going to run right into the end of contract.

Whether some people here want to admit it or not, the producers aren't going to renew her. To me, this just looks to be a ploy to have Maddigan on for an extended period of time while they search for a replacement. I am sure at the end of this "medical leave," Laura will announce she won't be returning, and the producers will (cooincidentally) announce their new star at that time.

Updated On: 8/15/06 at 07:01 PM

[DrunkyMcWasted]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 7:14pm

Her contract isn't up until next year, I believe.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 7:18pm

She's contracted through March.

[jdixon69]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 7:22pm

She's going to be out 4 to 6 weeks.

By that time, either a) the show will be closed; or b) the producers will have found their replacement Julia (see last Friday's "Daily Variety", excerpted here: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=907231#2407443)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 7:28pm

Her contract expires in March, but beginning in September, the producers have an option to buy out the remaining time and let her go from the show.

[prayerforaduck]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 7:45pm

She's going to be out 4 to 6 weeks.

By that time, either a) the show will be closed

I hate to say it, but that could very well be the case - the show is not exactly thriving right now. Perhaps that is what the original poster intended when saying that Laura would not be returning.

I don't claim to know anything about her health, but simply judging from the note posted on her website, it would seem that Laura indeed does want to return to the show and will be if it's open when she's recovered.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 9:37pm

This is Tina's moment to shine and she will sparkle in this role like a giant diamond engagement ring. I'm just sayin'...

Updated On: 8/15/06 at 09:37 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 11:31pm

I found it Odd that Laura's "Medical leave" came right after the Variety article.
It can't feel good to read in the press that the producers are looking for a replacement for your role (or Tina's role)

[DrunkyMcWasted]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 11:42pm

Actually, just for the record, Laura's leave was planned before that article popped up.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 12:21am

Point taken, Drunky!
Makes it even odder.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 12:34am

Why was Laura replaced in rehearsals and never got to star in The Violet Hour?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 12:52am

Because Jazmine Guy is more reliable.
I'm goin' to Hell for that one.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 12:59am

Jasmine Guy was replaced in previews by Dagmara Dominczyk. The show was awful regardless. So they were all the better for it.

Updated On: 8/16/06 at 12:59 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 1:04am

Was there any reason announced officially?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 1:13am

Jasmine left the show for personal health reasons. I don't know why Laura was replaced, but I do know that both Jasmine and Dagmara are significantly older than Laura. I'm assuming they were shooting for a more adult looking actress.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 1:21am

I would not be surprised if Laura didn't return. I know some of the cast members don't even know what is up with Laura so in the words of Twiggy, "whoooooo can saaaaaaay?" It's not awkward for Laura to not announce her EXACT medical condition to the general public? None of our business. But to her fellow cast members? People she works with? People she won't be seeing anymore? Co-workers! Totally random. I mean, come on. I find that very off.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 8:35am

"Poor Laura...this is her what, third time?"

Actually, it's her fourth. Swing, Into the Woods, Nine, and now Wedding Singer. I suspect she's missed more performances than she's actually been on stage.

If one counts "The Violet Hour", then it's her fifth.

She's an amazing talent. Truly. But I doubt anyone is going to cast her after five strikes. Donna Murphy is more reliable.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 8:59am

"Jasmine Guy was replaced in previews by Dagmara Dominczyk. The show was awful regardless. So they were all the better for it."

Actually, Dagmara replaced Laura, not Jasmine, in The Violet Hour. Dagmara also replaced Laura well in advance and about a month before previews started. Jasmine was let go in the second week of previews and replaced by her understudy, Robin Miles.

"I don't know why Laura was replaced, but I do know that both Jasmine and Dagmara are significantly older than Laura."

Dagmara is only three years (almost to the day) older than Laura. Dagmara's birthdate is 7/17/76 and Laura's is 7/15/79.

Here's what Laura said about leaving The Violet Hour on her website:

"Due to creative differences, on Monday I made the difficult decision to bow out of The Violet Hour," Benanti said in a statement. "I feel the utmost respect for Manhattan Theatre Club, Richard Greenberg and the entire company and wish them great success with this production."

Updated On: 8/16/06 at 08:59 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 12:32pm

AC: great research!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 1:33pm

I saw Tina last night...I think she was more cutesy in the role than Laura.

It was funny, at the stage door she said something about, "There's gonna be food, beer, and BOOZE"...about some party or something after a show this week. It was funnier in person.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 3:34pm

I know what you mean, Tina is hilarious in real life, so are Felicia and Amy, i was laughing my a** off while watching those clips on broadway.com, Amy was saying about "Rose" she has a dirty mouth, and her face was priceless...so funny.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/16/06 at 6:04pm

muscle- You need to put your Tina icon back up!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/17/06 at 10:20am

"Do you think they're going to leave the understudy board up for 4-6 weeks or change the playbill around?"

The understudy board has already been up for about 3 months. lol.

They'll probably change the playbill. I mean, they changed it for Eden when she replaced Idina for two weeks.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/17/06 at 10:25am

I don't know if they're going to change it now. they had new playbills printed up with Angelique Ilo as Crystal, but laura's still listed as Julia and the board is up.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 8/17/06 at 11:00am

That's odd....