Michael Riedel and West Side Story Turmoil — Page 3

So an audience member is an idiot if they're upset that they're not seeing an understudy instead of Tony award-winning actor? Damn, there's gotta be a whole SLEW of morons out there! Thanks for the heads up!

"I don't think it's a good idea at all to expect performers to dance through an injury, or sing with worn vocal cords. I remember reading something about female athletes, and how they tend to play through serious injuries more often than male athletes. I'm talking about soccer players who tear their ACL 3 and 4 times, until there's nothing left. Obviously a dancer can have the same thing happen to them. If an actor is that seriously injured or sick, they should be allowed to take the time they need to recover. And there should be some transparency (though not to the extent that it violates HIPAA), so there's no repeat of Laura Benanti's experience with Into the Woods.

that being said, I do think it's possible to prevent most injuries and illnesses. accidents happen, but you should always take excellent care of yourself if you're in such a physical job."

I agree with you, to a point.

But I have TWO WORDS for you:

Ann Crumb.

She had her foot severed when she was doing "Aspects of Love," and she DID the second act.

"Vocal problems" la la la.

Get your heel ripped off, and then talk to me about missing performances.

Updated On: 8/19/09 at 12:38 PM

So because she did it, everyone with an injury should continue dancing on it, risking further, more severe damage? I'm not saying all of these absences are legitimate and would easily believe many of them are not, but that's a little unfair, I think.

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Just a general question: what are Broadway actors generally entitled to in terms of holiday? I know what the deal is in the UK, but not the US.

It can vary from contract to contract. Someone like Hugh Jackman might get a lil more time than someone like Curtis Holbrook. Star power can equal negotiating power. But the norm is one week after six months of work. And I believe the six months does not include rehearsals.

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Just a few thoughts swirling around in my head...!

From the article:

"Our company is among the most talented and best trained in the business, and we are proud of the production the audience sees every night."

Then why are they not showing up?

As far as tourists and replacement slips. I agree that anybody, tourist or not, who has several slips fall into their lap realizes that they are seeing replacements. And if you are seeing replacements for leads, even if you are not familiar with the actors being replaced, there is some disappointment. I have gone to shows with friends who are not as familiar with stage actors as we are here and a slip or two for actors not in the leads have fallen out and they were a bit disapointed that we were not seeing the person listed in the Playbill.

As far as the work ethic, etc. of young people. Some of your posts were really interesting to read. My friends have discussed this and it seems that the 20 somethings these days (Not all of them!) seem to have an "it's all about me" attitude. At least here, there is a major lack in dedication to their jobs. No manners. And their work ethics are lacking. I am in my 40's. I can remember when it was thought that my generation of kids "might not make it". But when I was studying theatre, I was at all classes, rehearsals and performances. And that's because I was dedicated and WANTED to be there. A lot of the youth today just don't seem to have that dedication. Just my very random thoughts.

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I was gonna say, this is so old news. And the man SERIOUSLY needs to stop making those references to Donna Murphy who only missed I believe 2 performances (technically only 1) during her run in LOVEMUSIK. Leave her alone already.
And I do wonder about the nasty letter from Laurents to Olivo, wonder if that is even true at all.

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Merman wrote about it as 'taking the veil' and Christine Ebersole and Elaine Stritch have talked about the huge importance of getting enough sleep, but performing 8 shows a week has got to be incredibly strenuous

These performers - and others like Angela Lansbury, Mary Martin and Chita Rivera, John Raitt, Alfred Drake, and Jerry Orbach knew the commitment and rarely missed performances. Merman's stamina was legendary. In her 40-year career on Broadway, 13 shows, she missed very few performances due to legitimate illness. She knew that audiences has bought tickets well in advance to see her and she owed it to them to be there.

These stars didn't get to be stars by missing performances. You're starting a career in theatre, get known as performer who seldom misses shows and you'll have a long career.

WSS has a problem in that the choreography is extremely challenging. Sure it looks great, but at what cost. I blame CATS which was another show where members of the cast were frequently sidelined by injuries. Producers, directors and choreographers have to realize that even a youthful cast cannot execute these steps 8X a week without risking injuries. It's not like the ballet where they perform every 2-3 days.

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I agree, This sounds like a vicious rumor that somebody started as a reason why Cody got fired. It make absolutely no sense to fire your only Tony Award Winner. Every time I've seen the show I have been lucky enough to see both Karen and Josefina.

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What in the world are you talking about, ZiggyCringe? Have you been drinking bong water?
LOVEMUSIK not only opened on Broadway, earning raves for Donna Murphy's brilliant portrayal of Lotte Lenya as well as a Tony nomination, but the show--a limited engagement produced by MTC--also received an extension.

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To be fair, Job had a really terrible track record with showing up. I'm still upset I never saw his Antigone.

Phyllis, you've never missed a performance, right?

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"Just in late June, during her absences, Laurents was GUSHING over her on Playbill radio"

The very definition of two-faced.

I don't see how people are calling Cody a "scapegoat".
Didn't he miss the most performances of anyone?
Also the talk of him getting a payout is strange, you just wait till the actor's contract is up and you don't re-new, right?
And I know actors who that has happened to and than they tell everyone it was their choice not to re-new to save face.


As far as the email to Olivo, I doubt that is a rumor, especially if the entire cast also got it. Someone would come forward to dispell it.

I think Harvey actually had a wall of cast names at HAIRSPRAY and when they missed shows their name came down, and I think Harvey's was the last name to come down, and I think he only missed a half a show.