No Michelle Williams
No Michelle Williams#50
Posted: 6/6/14 at 4:59pm
Ugh. Actors today make me sick. Whatever happened to the work ethic of Merman? I'd bet you dollars to doughnuts there were nights when she wasn't feeling well but she went on anyway. Everyone is so namby pamby these days.
The Merm could teach these kids a thing or three about being a STAR.
No Michelle Williams#51
Posted: 6/6/14 at 7:17pm
Unlike Williams, Merman was never a hot commodity in the film industry. And Merman, while legendary, was a stage performer in a very different time. You go where the work and money is. Alan would do the same if his television show did not film in New York as well. It's a business.
Roundabout can easily find another name actress to replace Michelle. They had a field day stunt casting this production the first time around.
No Michelle Williams#53
Posted: 6/6/14 at 10:33pm
If Williams does leave in August (I've heard contradictory reports), then she'll have stayed through her original contract, as the show was originally set to close on 8/31. She would be leaving early, and despite the four or so performances she missed missed for illness, she's had stellar attendance.
Everyone gets sick, and sometimes you miss a show. Even the oft-referenced Merman wasn't immune.
Stand-by Joined: 12/19/10
No Michelle Williams#54
Posted: 6/7/14 at 12:14am
If an actor gets sick and can't perform they miss a show. It's better for them and better for all the other actors in the company. I was an actor in the business (now send out road tours) and can tell you that is the way it works.
You can slam Williams all you want, but she seems to be having an excellent performance record save a few performances when she was ill. People get sick. It happens. This whole thread is a non-issue. Even the Merm got sick. And you'll have to believe me on that. Why are we holding Williams to a different standard?
No Michelle Williams#55
Posted: 6/7/14 at 12:22pm
In 1150 performances of Annie do you know how many Merman missed for being ill? 2.
I just think today's actors are soft, by and large. The Merm always stayed for the run of the show because she was what we call a professional. I have such enormous respect for her. I really do.
No Michelle Williams#56
Posted: 6/7/14 at 12:35pm
She also took vacations while in ANNIE. Do you begrudge her those? Do you begrudge her the weeks she missed from GYPSY and SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS due to illness?
No one is immune, and being too sick to work doesn't make one "soft." I'm sure you've called out from your job.
No Michelle Williams#57
Posted: 6/7/14 at 12:53pm
If an actor is feeling sick enough that they can't perform, I'd rather see an understudy go on than see said actor try and stumble through the show, giving less than 100% because they're too ill.
While I admire actors like Merman and all those today who have such a staunch work ethic, if an actor is sick enough to the point where they can't do their job, they shouldn't be performing. Like others have said, people get sick. I think illness (not something like just a head cold) is an acceptable excuse for missing performances.
No Michelle Williams#58
Posted: 6/7/14 at 12:59pm
"The Merm always stayed for the run of the show because she was what we call a professional."
Most of her shows didn't have exceptionally long runs. And everybody is different. Not everybody has the physical resources of Ethel Merman.
No Michelle Williams#59
Posted: 6/7/14 at 1:05pm
"We heard you the first time, lovebwy."
This!! This!!
It's crazy you keep mentioning a person that's been dead for 30 years and her work ethic. People get sick, people need rest, people take time off. It's a thing, get over it.
No Michelle Williams#60
Posted: 7/6/14 at 12:06amNo Michelle Williams tonight, but since I've heard mixed reviews, I was fine with it. The one I was going to see was Alan Cumming, and he did not disappoint. Andrea Goss has a good voice, but I wasn't blown away by her performance. Very good, but it didn't stand out. I hate Sally Bowles, but maybe that's the point. It was my first time seeing Cabaret (had never even seen the movie), so I was nervous that hearing about it for years would lead to me being let down. I felt this way until the very end. Powerful.
No Michelle Williams#61
Posted: 7/6/14 at 12:12amShe was out last night (Friday) as well. I didn't miss her as Goss was quite good.
No Michelle Williams#62
Posted: 7/6/14 at 12:55am
I was at the show last night. According to a Roundabout employee, it was Goss's 11th time on as Sally.
Really dissapointed William's was out, but Goss was top notch. There was nothing noting that she would be out in advance online, so I wonder if she got sick.
No Michelle Williams#64
Posted: 7/6/14 at 10:41amAnyone know why Michelle has been out SO much recently? I was disappointed to learn she wasn't in last night's show.
No Michelle Williams#65
Posted: 7/6/14 at 10:46amWhen I bought my ticket Friday afternoon I was informed ahead of time that she'd be out, so perhaps she's on a scheduled vacation this week and not ill?
No Michelle Williams#66
Posted: 7/6/14 at 11:02am
I don't think she was sick, because it was known on Weds afternoon that she'd be out for the rest of the week and she went on Weds night.
Does Roundabout usually announce that actors are out on their website? They should, but I don't know if they do.
No Michelle Williams#67
Posted: 7/6/14 at 2:32pmMerman also performed before the internet, so every time she was out or sucked balls during a show someone didn't broadcast it.
No Michelle Williams#68
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:39pmAndrea was on all weekend. It was definitely scheduled ahead of time, but strangely unannounced by roundabout.
No Michelle Williams#69
Posted: 7/6/14 at 5:50pm
I have to disagree with those who consider Goss excellent. I thought Goss was absolutely terrible, with the most annoying faux-English accent that I ever heard. She went in and out of it, singing half as an American and then remembering, all of a sudden, that she had to overemphasize an "o" or an "a" in a most artificial manner. A completely mediocre dancer too, and with no charisma. I was very disappointed. Add to that the fact that Cumming has grown more mannered and too self-aware during the years. He is no longer the Emcee; he is himself. Still, he had plenty to offer. Not her. Amateur time, as a far as I was concerned.
Updated On: 7/6/14 at 05:50 PM
No Michelle Williams#70
Posted: 7/6/14 at 7:29pm
I saw it last Sunday and thank God Michelle Williams was in. She is magnificent in the role; broke my heart and I'm still thinking about her and this production a week later.
I've seen "Cabaret" several times (Broadway and regional) and Williams is the best Sally I've ever seen. So, if you can go again, try to catch her in it. It's worth it. That's my two cents on the matter. :)
No Michelle Williams#71
Posted: 7/6/14 at 8:47pm
They seem to not be announcing Michelle's planned absences, which is strange. I saw Andrea Goss a few weeks ago and Michelle's absence that whole weekend was apparently planned.
I thought Andrea Goss was okay, by the way...not great, not terrible.
No Michelle Williams#72
Posted: 7/21/14 at 11:12amMichelle has extended her run until Nov 9, 2014 according to the official Roundabout twitter.
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