Michael Longoria in Jersey Boys Tonight — Page 3
Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:45am
I'm sorry, but until you know the whole story for absolute certain, which I doubt you do, you have no right to call someone unprofessional for getting sick -- or any other problem that someone with any other job might encounter -- or for calling missed performance due to illness an "offense." They're stars, but they're not superhuman. Deal with it.
Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:50am
Somthing could come up in an actor's life such as famliy emergency or they are sick and they aren't able to perform. They have a real life and like everyone else things come up that are beyond their control.
Posted: 7/30/06 at 8:46am
Although we won't find a story in the socialist New York Times exposing these outrages, if the story does get out to the paying public regarding performers still claiming to be in show without performing more than a couple of shows in a month, it will hurt Broadway.
This is a tragic circumstance for an already troubled industry. To ignore it is to simply put one's head in the sand and randomly defend people who are demonstrably and quantifiably hurting the larger theater community!
Posted: 7/30/06 at 9:50am
I was at the show yesterday. I student rushed. Got there at 6:15 am and was just able to get a seat. Then I sat there for 5 hours. Did I want to see JLY? Yes of course. Did I? No. He was sick. One of the cast members said he had a throat infection. Should he be hung out and lynched b/c he is sick?
Give the guy a friggin break. So he won a Tony? Does that mean he is superhuman? Does that mean he should be at every performance regardless of how he sounds or feels?
Your argument about he and LaChanze is ludicrous. People get sick, people take vacations, people don't show up for work sometimes. In JLY's case, he is sick and I believe LaChanze is on vacation.
GIVE IT A REST!!!!!!!!!!
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 09:50 AM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:01am
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:33am
Also I'm curious if you've talked to John Lloyd Young and LaChanze and you know why it is that they've missed so much. The way you complain about it seems like you know they obviously couldn't have had a good excuse for any of their absences.
I'm not defending anyone missing, but i am saying you don't know why they miss, unless you're the ENT for both of them in which case I apologize.
Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:34pm
Since neither are capable of performing eight shows a week on a regular basis, let's print this in the Treason Times (New York Times) and let the public know. See if the sales for the shows collapse, BUT BE HONEST!!
Of course, people get sick. OF course they can't perform. All those arguing this on the other side act as if this innoculates them from any criticism. I have news for you.....that are free from being criticised. This news should be released very publicly, and I will do everything in my power to make sure people know that you can not depend on either of these two actors to show up for work!
Phantom has had a rotating schedule of performers, ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE for many many years!
Posted: 7/30/06 at 2:07pm
And how do you know how the management or even the audiences feel about JLY or LaChanze being out?
Have you spoken to management? Have you surveyed audiences?
All I've ever read about JLY is how professional and conscientious he is about his work. Considering how well the understudies have beeen received, if the show's producers felt he was shirking his repsonsibilities, they'd have fired him by now instead of exempting him from one performance a week.
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 02:07 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 2:16pm
It all goes back to the age old question: would you rather see a sick lead or a healthy understudy? For me, I'd rather go with the healthy understudy. These performers (contrary to what you claim) are trying to give audiences the most for their money. People paying high ticket prices deserve to see the most healthy and capable performers. Just because someone is a Tony award winning star shouldn't excuse them from having the right to call out of a show if they need to. Performing when you shouldn't and doing a below average job (regardless of who you are) is a dis-service to the audience. Was I happy that both of the principles being discussed here were in when I saw their respective shows? Yes. And did they both do a fantastic job? Yes. But had they been in and NOT done what is expected of them, I would have been upset and not written it off just because I got to see them perform.
If you have an issue that significantly effects the performance, call out. JLY and LaChanze seem to understand that, and I don't think it's anything they should be bashed for.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 02:16 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 6:03pm
Updated On: 7/31/06 at 06:03 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 7:45pm
1) The actors are either sick or on vacation....what don't you get? It isn't some big conspiracy.
2) Why would the producers need to have a rotating schedule when the actors are not out on a regular, weekly basis?
3) Our "right" as audience members is to see a show worthy of the $$ we shell out. I have never been at a performance with one understudy that I felt I didn't "get my money's worth"
4) The performers are listed in the Playbill, but so are the stnadby and understudy performers. Each Playbill lists who understudies who.
5) The press has nothing to do with actors calling out or missing performances. Do you really think they are going to list when someone is out in the papers? Does your company send out a memo when you are out sick?
6) Sure we have the right to see the stars we paid money for. They have the right to be sick or take a vacation.
7) They do rotate performers....the understudies.
9) That is idiotic.
10) You are the only one who is taking this thing this far. No one else seems to think this is a conspiracy. You are just odd. Maybe you can loan me some of those drugs you are on.
Chanticleer I really think you are a bitter person who insists on complaining about something that is absurd. JLY gets sick, LaChanze takes a vacation. Patti Lupone does too. I do. Craig does. The producers do. EVERYONE DOES.
Craig....Please put some sense into this guy!!
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 07:45 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 8:07pm
Posted: 7/30/06 at 9:33pm
Yeah, that's a really great idea; especially if you like lawyers.
Maybe you can make friends with the wardrobe people at SPAMALOT, they'll give you a little costume and you and your buddy Ann Coulter can take your little crusade to the New York Times building. Recruit the Naked Cowboy on the way, it'll be CUTE.
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 09:33 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 10:38pm
One can not be successfully sued for stating truth. I think that someone has been watching too much TV. JLY and LaChanze did not play many, IF ANY, shows this week. Even a cursory observor knows this fact. Do all of you hysterics deny a person the right to let the public know this FACT?! If they did play shows, it has not been reported on Broadway World or PlayBill.
Yes, the press could easily report anything that they believe to be news. It is news for the public to know when performers are not playing shows on a regular basis! The only reason to defend this abhorhent practice is to participate in the cover-up and the hoax!
The name-calling and use of the word ignorant reflects upon the user and not on me.
I am sure that these same people that are sreaming about this appalling behavior on the part of so-called stars are the ones that expect the government to subsidize the arts.
What a disappointment. Surley someone feels that Tony Award winners who listed in the cast of a show will at least play the performances!!
Posted: 7/30/06 at 10:51pm
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:00pm
What. Makes. You. Think. They. Know. In. Advance? Good God.
Perhaps performers in shows like these WOULD benefit from pre-determined rotating schedules, but that's not the way it is, and these are unplanned absences. They would announce it if they were planned. You're just pissed off that you see understudies, so you're insisting that they plot or fake their illnesses. Not playing shows on a regular basis? Maybe because of long-standing illness. You're just bitter, get off it.
Surley someone feels that Tony Award winners who listed in the cast of a show will at least play the performances!!
First, it's spelled "surely." Secondly, stop twisting posters' words; of course people want to see Tony winners and listed performers. But you don't always get what you want, and that's the way it is. Nobody's saying they don't want to see these people, or don't care; we're saying that when you don't see them, deal with it and get off of your entitled-high-horse. Most people, even if they defend a sick performer, do hope to see all listed actors. You're not some anomaly in a land of sinners. We just hope they'll play the performances, know they will when they can and gracefully -- like human beings -- accept that they can't.
The level of hysteria in defending the indefensible is a riot!
They are not indefensible, first off. And secondly, I'm not defending the people, I could care less -- I'm calling you out on your bitter idiocy.
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:03pm
Well that will come as news to the courts.
What rights, beyond those concerning safety (Fire exits, occupancy)etc. does a ticketholder have except to see the show on the date of the ticket they purchased? The seat they are assigned? That they paid fair vakue for their ticket? That's about it.
There is no right that ticketholders are entitiled to see a particular performer on any given night.
Where do people get these whacky ideas of entitlement?
Generally speaking, the applicable Code in New York is similar to that employed in London, Australia, or any major venue for performance: For example:
Venue box offices should prominently display or make available information about:
(a) performance details, when known, including:
(i) main performance; attraction or performer(s) (see Clause 1(a);
(ii) if applicable, that it is intended that understudies be used where the principal performer is unavailable (see
Clause 1(a));
(iii) if applicable, support attractions where known or, if not known, where prospective Ticket Holders can obtain the information prior to the performance (see Clause 1(b));
(iv) if applicable, that the Presenter reserves the right to change the support attraction without specifically notifying the Ticket Holder;
(v) commencement times; and
(w) anticipated duration of the performance if it is likely to differ substantially from expected norms for that type of
performance;
(b) any specific conditions of entry for each performance;
(c) limitations, restrictions, or special conditions, if any, on Ticket sales;
(d) Ticket prices (see Clause 1(h)) and any additional charges; and
(e) refund or exchange policy as set out in Clauses 8 and 9.
And most germain:
"Where a Ticket Holder applies for a refund only on the grounds that a performance does not meet his or her
expectations, the Presenter is not required to make a refund. The Presenter acknowledges that a Ticket Holder has
access to remedies under any relevant Trade Practices or Fair Trading Laws, in the event of any false, misleading or
deceptive representation."
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 11:03 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:14pm
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:20pm
The Producers know that the customer has a right to see the star. They, the Producers acknowledge this right, and afford one the opportunity to return to the show-IF one's schedule permits.
What makes me think that they know in advance? What makes you think that they don't know in advance? Others associated with the productions seem to know in advance!
Rather than deal with fundamental argument as intellectuals, many of you have to resort to name calling and assigning of emotions-"you're just bitter!" This person ignores everything I have stated in the posts from the beginning. Michael was wonderful. Kenita was wonderful in The Color Purple-she was most engaging and has a voice of great power and emotional range. There is no bitterness on my part. Have you ever heard of emotional projection?
Speaking of entitlement programs-I'll leave that to the Treason Times and their defenders in the theater community.
LuvTheEmcee: your logic is amazing. We MUST PAY and suffer in order to fit your definition of "grace." What a misunderstanding of the word, and it's true meaning!
"Bitter Idiocy...." Have you heard of the pot and the kettle?
I am starting to wonder if there is conspiricy to avoid letting audience members know that their chance of seeing some Tony Award winners is not good!!
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 11:20 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:31pm
What am I bitter about? If you're going to use the pot-meet-kettle argument, for God's sake, at least make sure it fits!
If an actor is going to be out for an extended period due to vocal illness and they have made the powers that be aware on a basis other than one day-by-day, it SHOULD be advertised, but that's different than you saying that these people aren't even sick, or shouldn't get sick, of whatever the hell you're saying.
My logic IS amazing, thankyouverymuch. You're just twisting it, is all.
No one is asking you to pay and suffer. Unfortunately these people are not above the title; if they were, you could exchange your ticket. Too bad. It's a risk you take when you buy the tickets. Suck it up.
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 11:31 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:31pm
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:32pm
That's funny you say that. 28 exclamation points in one thread sort of qualifies you as the hysteric. Calling the New York Times the "Treason Times," like some stupid Ann Coulter-quoting-automaton, accusing people of things no one's stated like "everyone here thinks the government should subsidize the arts." Accusing two Tony-winning actors you've never met of unprofessionalism from the cozy Ohio armchair of a high-school-teacher-who-has-the-distinct-honor-of-having-earned-a-useless-Master's-Degree-in-singing-and-directed-a-production-of-Rumors,-the-crappy-set-for-which-he-uses-as-his-avatar.
Summer vacation must be really hard on you, teach; there aren't any kids to pontificate to like a blowhard or to argue with, so you come and do it here.
You're creating controversy where there is none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (28 exclamation points -- I get to use my whole quota here. I know you like QUOTAS.)
Updated On: 7/30/06 at 11:32 PM
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:33pm
Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:41pm
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