Posted: 7/5/17 at 12:34pm
Skimbleshanks2, shouldn't you be fretting over how long Groundhog's Day is going to run?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 12:36pm
haterobics said: "Skimbleshanks2 said: "Yes - it was a total ploy to win BEST PLAY. Glad OSLO triumphed!"
Doll's House was supposed to end on July 23, and Oslo is still ending on July 16. Not sure what the thinking is here as far as ploys. Let's just give the Tony to whichever play stays open longer?!"
Voters (allegedly) do take things like if it's still running into consideration. They know it will help a show sell tickets.Obviously there are examples of closed shows winning, but people think it makes a difference and it usually seems to.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 1:06pm
Who cares if this "doesn't sell"? We have wonderful actors stepping into a play they can actually sink their teeth into and we all have the opportunity to see it. Was this production ever going to break box office records? No. So enjoy it while it lasts.
I wasn't a huge fan of the play itself, but it is certainly a killer showcase for talented actors. I'm so excited for Julie White, and I can finally forgive her for exiting ASSASSINS. I thought she was an excellent replacement for Sigourney Weaver in V&S&M&S, and very different, so I'm looking forward to a fresh take on what was already perfected in Laurie Metcalf's performance.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:19pm
RIP A Doll's House Part Two
I've already seen three posts from friends of mine complaining and demanding a refund for their tickets, which they bought a while back for August. Frankly, I don't blame them. When you buy tickets you assume that you are buying them to see Tony and Oscar winners/nominees. They should have announced this a while back and replaced the cast with some more intriguing names (no disrespect to White. She's a great actress, but she's not really a very big name). It feels very sleazy to me. Let the audience buy their tickets and then announce a cast replacement completely last minute? Yeah, I don't like that. I really haven't been a fan of Rudin's antics these days. He seems to have no respect for his audience. It's a shame because it's such a wonderful play, but I don't think it will last till January unless they get some more interesting names in the cast.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:22pm
I love Julie White and I thought this show was brilliant, but it cannot be long for this world.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:30pm
Has the short term memory already faded? It wasn't that long ago it didn't look like this show was going to make it out of previews.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:38pm
How is announcing a cast switch three weeks before it happens "last minute"? Particularly when the original cast was only contracted through the run's initial 16 weeks anyway?
It's a fabulous play and an excellent showcase for performers. Julie White will be fantastic and I'm glad she gets to return to Broadway with such a meaty role (count me in the camp that loved her in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike- I preferred her to Weaver, even).
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:49pm
I think a lot of people assumed that since the show was extending, the cast would be extending with it. A lot of people bought tickets in advance for this cast. I just think that White may not be the best choice to sell this show. I like her and I'll probably go see her, but a lot of other people would probably like to see a bigger name if they can't see Metcalf. It would be like if Bette Midler left Dolly mid August and they replaced her with Karen Ziemba. We love her, but she won't sell tickets and she won't please those who wanted to see Midler. I just don't think it's a smart move.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:53pm
So they should just close with Metcalf and not give other people a chance to see this terrific play?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:53pm
GeorgeandDot said: "I think a lot of people assumed that since the show was extending, the cast would be extending with it. A lot of people bought tickets in advance for this cast."
A lot of people assume they will see the original DEH Cast in December, too. If anything, this show's original end date of July 23 was a bit of a tip-off that the cast may have only been contracted through then, which was discussed on here from the moment the extension was announced.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:55pm
nasty_khakis said: "So they should just close with Metcalf and not give other people a chance to see this terrific play?
No, but they should probably choose a bit more of a name to keep the show afloat.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:56pm
This production was never about being a box office smash. If it were, they would've gotten major box office names to begin with. Metcalf, as brilliant as she is, is not a name that makes tons of people reach for their wallets... hence the barely attended performances that defined the run of this show until recently.
This is a prestige production, pure and simple. And it's dirt cheap to run.
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 02:56 PM
Posted: 7/5/17 at 2:58pm
^Yes, but she is the show's only Tony win and the person that most of the buzz was surrounding.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:01pm
GeorgeandDot said: "RIP A Doll's House Part Two
When you buy tickets you assume that you are buying them to see Tony and Oscar winners/nominees.
"
That you included "Oscar winners/nominees" means you weren't just meaning for this particular show but in general. Someone whose acting is at that caliber. So tell your friends.... Julie White is a Tony Award winner. Jayne Houdyshell who no one has even bother to mention is remaining with the show is a Tony Award winner and a nominee for this show. Stephen McKinley Henderson is a Tony Award nominee.
The fact that most of the original cast would likely not be staying until January was pretty commonly known. Their not waiting to buy tickets until what would be happening with the cast beyond the original scheduled run was firmed up would appear to be on them. Once again, a lesson in why it's not a good idea to assume.
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 03:01 PM
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:02pm
Bettyboy72 said: "t Metcalf was the perfect combo of levity and comedy.
"
Huh? Those words are virtually synonyms.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:04pm
Did people stand too close to the fireworks yesterday? There are some strange assertions flying around the board today.
I get that White is not a huge name, but neither was anyone in the original company. Known, sure. But not massive name recognition. And it's be known (at least 'round these parts) that Metcalf was starting to film Roseanne this summer.
Who are the massive stars that are age-appropriate and capable of providing the type of thrilling stage performance Metcalf gave?
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:06pm
Uh, they all had tickets for the last week of July and the first week of August. I think that it was safe to assume that they would be leaving in August. I never said that I assumed they would be here until January.
Charlie, you're putting words in my mouth.
I'm just saying that they will probably struggle to get to January without any names. Houdyshell is brilliant, but I doubt that she'll sell tickets.
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 03:06 PM
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:08pm
SonofRobbieJ, Metcalf and Cooper are certainly much bigger names then their replacements.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:09pm
But...there are two people with television commitments. It wouldn't be safe to assume that they'd be around through August.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:12pm
GeorgeandDot said: "Uh, they all had tickets for the last week of July and the first week of August. I think that it was safe to assume that they would be leaving in August. I never said that I assumed they would be here until January."
The production's original closing date was July 23. No one should have assumed the original cast would be there beyond that date.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:13pm
GeorgeandDot said: "Uh, they all had tickets for the last week of July and the first week of August. I think that it was safe to assume that they would be leaving in August. I never said that I assumed they would be here until January.
Charlie, you're putting words in my mouth.
I'm just saying that they will probably struggle to get to January without any names. Houdyshell is brilliant, but I doubt that she'll sell tickets.
Well it turns out it wasn't safe to assume they would be here to August. Again, that's on them for assuming before they got the facts. Be disappointed sure, but your assertion that it's sleazy on Rudin's part, like it's all some big con is unfair to say the least. And I apologize if quoting you is putting words in your mouth.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:14pm
I'd personally love to see Janet McTeer get a shot at this role.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:15pm
SonofRobbieJ said: "But...there are two people with television commitments. It wouldn't be safe to assume that they'd be around through August.
Look, it's not my mistake. I've seen the show twice. The problem isn't that they're leaving, but rather who they have decided to replace them with. Had Mary-Louise Parker or someone like that replaced Metcalf, I don't think they would have a problem, but they have no clue who White is. That is a bit of a problem. New York theatre people love her, but the common joe theatre lover from Pennsylvania has no idea who she is.
Also, Rudin is being sleazy. He's known the exact date that this cast would be leaving for months, but has chosen to keep it under wraps. Between this and his attitude with Dolly and the Tonys, he's certainly showing some sleazy behavior.
Updated On: 7/5/17 at 03:15 PM
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:19pm
Had Mary-Louise Parker or someone like that replaced Metcalf, I don't think they would have a problem, but they have no clue who White is. That is a bit of a problem.
It's a good thing producing decisions aren't made just to accommodate your handful of friends.
Posted: 7/5/17 at 3:25pm
AC126748 said: "Had Mary-Louise Parker or someone like that replaced Metcalf, I don't think they would have a problem, but they have no clue who White is. That is a bit of a problem.
It's a good thing producing decisions aren't made just to accommodate your handful of friends.
No, but they should be made in such a way that will make the show money. People from out of town won't be pouring into the Golden to see White.
