Michael Longoria in Jersey Boys Tonight- Page 3

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:39am

Who's shirtless in the Jersey BOYS?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:45am

The only absences announced ahead of time are planned vacations, or extended period of leave due to illness. Other than that, it's all revealed the day of.

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.

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:50am

"What happened to announced absence?"

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.

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 8:46am

Most of these responses represent nothing more than hysterical babbling in defense of the indefensible. If actors feel no responsibility to be in the performance after winning the Tony Award, this is simply unprofessional, unethical, and damaging to Broadway.

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!

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 9:50am

The guy has a throat infection. Give him a break! God, is your attendance record spotless at your job? John Lloyd Young as well as any other performer, is human. They get sick. We get sick.....and we don't go to work.

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

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:01am

No, Chanticleer, you have YOUR head in the sand. If the case were what you claim it to be -- one of laziness and blatant unprofessionalism, then no, I would not defend that (and neither would, I suspect, others who share my opinion here). But how can you say that when one gets sick, they "feel no responsibility" to show up at work? Taking off because of your health is unprofessional? Again, that is sickeningly entitled.

[NYNYBroadwaybaby]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:33am

Chanticleer, I'm curious how you start a thread saying that your "master's degree in voice" tells you that the role is very vocally demanding, and end it by complaining that the lead missed the show? Frankie Valli was a freak of nature and even then didn't perform eight times a week. You should know even opera singers never perform two nights in a row, so why be so surprised that someone who is singing a ridiculously hard role is not able to do it everyday. And sure Michael Cerveris hasn't missed, but it's not about the amount of singing, but the type of singing. Cerveris is singing in the meat of his voice, he could probably do thirty shows a week, it's a completly different thing.
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.

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 1:34pm

The level of hysteria in defending the indefensible is a riot! People act as if there is no other remedy for these situations. Why don't both JLY and LaChanze announce that they will only play a few shows. What is wrong with honesty? The Producers wouldn't like it, but the audience members would!!!

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!

[TennesseeTwang]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 2:07pm

What do your feelings about the New York Times' political leanings have to do with missed performancess by Broadway leading ladies and leading men?

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

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 2:16pm

Chanticleer148, even though you sit here and bash JLY and LaChanze for being out of their shows frequently (or so you claim,) I am positive you would also bash them if they were performing and doing an underwhelming job because of illness or other factors effecting their performance.

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.

Updated On: 7/30/06 at 02:16 PM

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 6:03pm

It is false advertising and unethical to list a performers name in the playbill as portraying the role when their performances become so irregular that the stand-by has more performances that the so-called star. Updated On: 7/31/06 at 06:03 PM

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 7:45pm

You need to get a life. Or lay off the drugs. Or something. You must have some sort of an axe to grind. With the NY Times, with JLY....To answer your 10 absurd points:

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.

Even professionals get sick.

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

[bwaydancr]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 8:07pm

I usually stay out of arguments, but to say that John Lloyd Young does not feel "compelled" to perform, that he is "unprofessional" and "unethical" and feels "no responsibility" to his audience is absurd if you have ever spent even 5 minutes around him or seen him work. I worked on a show he performed in, and of all the actors I have ever seen, he was by far one of the most professional. In fact, if I were to describe him with one word, that would be it. He took his work extremely seriously and was very dedicated to giving the best performance he could. Regardless of whether you are upset that he has missed performances, to say his missing performances is indicative of him being unprofessional and not dedicated to his audiences is extremely ignorant.

[eve harrington2]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 9:33pm

"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!"

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

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 10:38pm

I find it very interesting that the people who are for everyone's right to "free speech" under the constitution are the first ones to scream when someone boldy states a truth that this little community of broadway watchers does not want to read or comprehend. Look at the first post to mention lawyers.

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!!

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 10:51pm

He is sick for crying out loud. Why don't you take an ad out in Variety or one of the trades instead of doing it here? Maybe he should just come on here and post or send his chart from the doctor to you. Maybe than you will stop being such an ignorant mess.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:00pm

Why don't both JLY and LaChanze announce that they will only play a few shows

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.

[Hawker]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:03pm

"As audience members, we have rights that go well beyond those rights so poorly articulated in these posting."

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

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:14pm

By being paying customers, apparently.

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:20pm

The right comes from the Producers of the shows! This has been previously stated, and no one has challenged it! (I don't think anyone is actually reading any of the post-they are just screaming from raw emotion in the manner of a high school girl)!

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

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:31pm

Oh, go to Hell.

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

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:31pm

Could this be his vacation week? Maybe he has the flu or something. There's this new concept--it's called being a HUMAN BEING.

[eve harrington2]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:32pm

"all of you hysterics"

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

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:33pm

Score.

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 7/30/06 at 11:41pm

eve harrington2 that was the best thing I have read all day long