Nancy Opel going into Les Miz?- Page 2

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 12:05am

You can't really fire anyone on Broadway.
They have to buy out an actor's contract or not renew after whatever they have signed for.
I don't think This production is making enough money or buzz to bother with buying out.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 12:19am

Actually, this production is doing better than almost anything that opened this year. The only new shows that outsold it last week (% of house-wise) were Mary Poppins and Legally Blonde. So, I'm not so sure it's gonna go away as quick as others think it is.

[amalou]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 12:44am

I was very disappointed with Ann's performance. Her accent was all over the place and for a minute, it sounded like Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors. She wasn't cruel at all. She didn't have a single nasty moment when I saw her. She was almost cutesy. But in all fairness, I did see her right after she started. And along with Gary Beach who seems to be reprising Lumiere rather than portraying Thenardier, it just didn't work. It's Master of the House, not Be Our Guest!

[dchesnutny]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 9:48am

amen, melody2... you speak wisdom.

all this talk of firings -- they should start the process with firing their casting director.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 10:44am

How is Max Von Essen?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/29/07 at 10:51am

Nothing special but not bad.

[Brian4]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 4:00pm

Don't know who you saw. I was at the same show. I thought Mandy Bruno was fantastic. I've seen the show six times now. Mandy brings something very fresh and new to the role...and she got quite the applause on this night in particular. Funny how the people on this site don't match the audience reaction. Perhaps you should look around you?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 4:03pm

OMG I'MM NOT LIKE THE OTHER KOOL KIDZ.

I must suck.

[DirtyRottenGirl]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 4:14pm

She will be great if she does

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 7:08pm

They held eponine replacement auditions today.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 7:43pm

If Nancy Opel and Lea Salonga were in Les Mis at the same time, I would actually try to make a more concerted effort to see it. Actually, if Alice Ripley was in it...even more so....

I haven't seen the "revival" so can't comment on the audience reaction to Mandy Bruno, but would offer to say that Eponine is a much loved character with some of "the" songs that everyone knows and perhaps an intense audience reaction (broadly speaking- theatre afficianados and well, tourists) could suggest an appreciation for the character (and her songs) and not so much the actual performance of the actress.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 8:05pm

Doug Kreeger will be going on as Marius this weekend.

[poppinslionking]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 8:45pm

I was hoping to see Adam Jacobs again this weekend. Are you sure Doug Kreeger will go on for all three performances (sat-sun).

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 9:27pm

I just double checked my e-mail. Doug will be going on on Friday, June 1st and Sunday, June 3rd.

[poppinslionking]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 10:19pm

So will Adam Jacobs play Marius on Saturday or will the other understudy play Marius on Saturday. I think the other understudy is Daniel Bogart.

Any why is Adam going to be out? He is wonderful as Marius.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/30/07 at 10:35pm

Yes, it's Daniel Bogart.

I believe it's vay-cay time.
http://danielbogart.com/

[Curtaintime]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 8:43pm

Ok guys. For all of those who "think" they know the facts...here are the actual facts:

1) Mandy is NOT being replaced at this time. Around opening Mandy came down with a bug and began having some vocal difficulty due to growing infection to her vocal chords. Being the professional that she is, she has, until this point, attempted to push through. She will now be taking a couple of days off under doctors care to finally mend the issue. She is expected to be back next week will be back with a voice and a drive that will for once and for all prove her right to the Broadway stage.

2) Yes auditions were held, but NOT open auditions and NOT auditions to REPLACE her. They are simply precautionary auditions in case her infection prevents her from finishing her contract.

3) Who ever the "source" at the Broadhurst is...DOESN'T EXIST. They are a group of professional people who do not hand out information about their business...EVER. If you don't believe me...actually ASK someone at the Broadhurst.

3) I understand the "fun" of commenting on message boards. It can be helpful when trying to decide what to see, it can be a way to talk about the biz, it's just something that takes up time when we have nothing better to do with our lives. However...I look at Broadway World as a rather respectable site. A place for intelligent and good people who are interested in the biz to be able to discuss what's happening in the theater world. What it so often turns into is a site to "put down" performers. How can we do this when we ourselves are incapable of ever having all the information. Exhibit A: Mandy Bruno and this thread itself. Did anyone know how sick she was before they started putting her down for cracking on a note? No. We post nasty comments without ever thinking that there could be reasons for things. We believe in the casting people who cast Celia. They cast Mandy too. We have to believe they knew what they were doing. Get the facts, and give the girl a chance.

4) Finally...as an actress myself, let me tell you how horribly painful these message boards can be. I heard once that Sutton Foster herself had to block her own computer from allowing her to go onto sites like this because they depressed her so much. This is SUCH a cut throat industry. Acting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. We are constantly up against rejection. Yes we chose it...but for all that is good in the world...offer us a bit of support! Can you imagine doing a job of such high competition, working your butt off to make it to the top, working all kinds of horrible jobs to make ends meet just to get there, and when it finally all pays off...your efforts realized, your dreams have come true...you are met with nothing but hateful words by people who don't even know you on the internet.

I challenge everyone on this board to start something new. My mom used to say, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Let us turn this around. Let this board be a place to talk about the industry...and to applaud those who have worked so hard and achieved there goals. Of course we won't like every performer...of course we may prefer some over others. We are entitled to our opinions yes. But to sit and bash on performers who are working so hard and who are holding onto their dream roles with hope and pride in their hearts, and to make up stories without real proof about what is or isn't going on in casting...let it come to an end.

I look forward to the day that this is a positive and enjoyable place for the actors to post as well! Wouldn't that be something!? If they weren't so afraid of what they would have to read about themselves first.

I leave you with this. What is important in your life? What do you dream of, and work towards every single day? What would you give anything for. What if you got it. And then what if strangers you had never met tried to take it away. Take away your tears of happiness for having achieved your dreams with hurtful words? Posted things about you that weren't true or without all of the information?? On the internet none the less?? Why? What good has it done? And who do we end up really hurting in the end?
Updated On: 5/31/07 at 08:43 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 8:51pm

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 9:00pm

Curtaintime, how do you know?

[LeMizFreak]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 9:10pm

Bravo Curtaintime!!! I could not have said it better myself. Thank you for setting straight the situation with Mandy. I'm so glad to hear she is going to be staying with the show. Even with being ill, I thought she was the bright spot in the show when I saw it a few weeks ago. She IS Eponine. I'll be keeping her in my thoughts as she rests and recovers. And way to go putting all this ridiculous gossip to rest. It is hurtful and damaging to people and their careers. Especially people who work so hard with talents that the rest of us could only dream about. I'm going to go back and see her next week. Can't wait!

[Marianne]

Posted: 5/31/07 at 11:01pm

I don't hate Mandy's performance because of any particular note she cracked on. I hate Mandy's performance because her Eponine is irritating as hell.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 3:41am

Curtaintime, I totally understand and respect what you are saying. However, at the same time, when a performer goes onstage, they are willingly subjecting themselves to whatever reaction audience members may have and whatever those audience members may choose to do with their opinions, whether it be telling them to friends, writing them in newspapers, or posting them on the internet. Of course I feel badly for Mandy Bruno and the other performers who have gotten trashed on this site, but that, as they say, is show biz. And I myself am a professional actor, and if one day I perform on Broadway, and people don't like my performance, they are certainly welcome to write whatever they want about me on BroadwayWorld.com.

Updated On: 6/1/07 at 03:41 AM

[birdboy782]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:11am

Distinctive Baritone...why don't you put your money where your mouth is? Why don't you link us to some of your performances online? I'll be happy to let you know what I think of your performance...and your potential in NY! We'll see how you compare with these "trashed" Broadway performers....better or (hopefully not!) worse! After all, users on this site often offer opinions on performances everywhere - not just Broadway - and seeing that you are already a professional, you are "willingly subjecting [yourself] to whatever reaction audiences members may have"...so if you're so confident that comments here positive or negative won't affect you - again, I challenge you to post a video of yourself for the scrutiny of this board!

[LeMizFreak]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:23pm

Curtaintime. I totally disagree with you. Actors do not subject themselves to ridicule. It's jelousy and it's wrong. I'm with birdboy...looking forward to reviewing your performance my friend! Let's play by the same rules you set for those actually out there working their ass off.

[jennafan]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 9:37pm

Curtaintime,

As an actress, you should know that rumors will happen and negative comments will be made. If you cannot handle it or read bad comments about someone ELSE, I suggest you quit the industry.

I'd rather visit a board where people can state their opinion and hope someone (who is bad in a role) is replaced, rather than have the actors on the board and seeing a whole bunch of people kiss their @ss.



Updated On: 6/1/07 at 09:37 PM