Norbert Leo Butz Status Update- Page 4

[armchairdictator]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:00pm

I've really enjoyed movies and go back to them, sure. I might watch a scene, maybe a little more. It is also convenient and doesn't cost me $100 plus several hours to see basically the same thing yet again. I just figure that in New York there are SO MANY other things to do rather than go back to the well and plunk down that kind of change. Sounds more like an obsession. For that kind of money I'd rather be compelled by something more dynamic... perhaps personal interaction with a woman? :)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:03pm

Discount codes and rush tickets! The way of the repeat offender.

I certainly find theatre to be "dynamic." For the record, I do plenty of those other NYC to-do's.

I love that I'm still having this discussion; I'm such an effing hypocrite.

Updated On: 1/7/06 at 10:03 PM

[thetheatrekook]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:08pm

to each his/her own.

but i would have to say that IMO it's almost MORE "obsessive" (just using your word cause i really can't think of a better way to put it) to watch a movie over and over again vs. a stage show. with a movie, you get the exact same thing every time (yes, with a good director you can discover new things every time) but there are so many variables with theatre. Example - Rent is my current "obsession" - but one reason I keep going back (and this includes 6 times in the past month and a half...i'm not ashamed!) are casting changes - I've never seen the exact same cast twice. some people don't like seeing the same show more than once, that's fine. some people like seeing the same show over and over again, that's fine too! and i'm just gonna end the rant here because i basically rambled my way right out of my own train of thought! haha.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:10pm

Colleen, if you really would prefer to see Norbert that badly, you should be able to exchange your tickets through telecharge.
Not true. I called Telecharge today and told them I wanted a refund for tomorrow because it's a 5 hour trip that I didn't really want to take if Norbert wasn't going to be in the show. They told me that he was not a "star absence," that only John Lithgow had that status. After speaking with 4 people they called the Imperial, and the Imperail said Norbert was going on tomorrow, but I doubt that to be true. It's unfortunate because I really don't want to make the trip again (I just got home from driving to Florida) if Norbert isn't going to be in.

[armchairdictator]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:15pm

Discount codes and rush tickets! The way of the repeat offender.:) etc.

ROFLMAO. That's great. But man, what dedication. RUSH involves time dedication too.

Him.... I hear you guys. Was just curious what drives you because I could not even imagine seeing virtually the same words again and again with some but not enough variation for me. I am trying to compare it to a symphony I really like that is played by different performers. While I might see it a second time... wow.... six times in the past six weeks... wow....

Just wanted to know what drives the theatre junkies... :)

[thetheatrekook]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:19pm

well, to put it into a different perspective (for MY reasoning for seeing Rent so many times) i also have a good friend that just went into the cast. so that's always fun too.

i think it's just a personal thing. some people LIKE seeing the same thing over and over (Rent doesn't get boring for me!) and some people just can't take it!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:19pm

I'd keep at it Colleen. I guess Wednesday is too far ahead, but Norbert is billed above the title and hence if he is out, you are entitled to a refund/exchange.

I may suggest if you asked for a refund, perhaps asking for an exchange. That's probably why they're giving you a hard time. Often as long as it's enough days in advance which in this case it is, you can call and exchange tickets fairly easily. Good luck, keep me updated.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:22pm

hmmm.

Have you guys heard if he is or isn't definately going on tomorrow?

[thetheatrekook]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:22pm

maybe they're just giving you a hard time because he might not actually be called out for that performance yet? like technically he'll be out on vocal rest but they don't have a specific set of dates yet?

[meagan9848]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:26pm

yeah, I don't know.

Obviously I want him to get better...and do whatever he needs to do to get better, but it's frustrating that Telecharge can't do anything to help me.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/7/06 at 10:47pm

Sorry Em, I know this argument always goes in circles, but...I can't not respond.

"Aren't there numerous other new and interesting shows to see and things to do?"

Of course. Took me a little while to figure out, but since the very first time I saw DRS in late February, not including that, I have seen 45 different shows. At least 12 concerts/benefits/special events, I'm in a bowling league on Thursday nights, I'm a member of the Museum of TV and Radio, I go karoaking when I'm lucky to find another brave soul to join me, see a couple of movies, might go more but there hasn't been that many that have interested me, and spend many nights in good old suburbia spending hours on the phones w/ friends asking what do you wanna do. Here, our options pretty much are...the mall...the mall, or perhaps the mall. I don't like malls.

Going back w/o getting bored...I really can't explain it. There are many shows/movies I enjoy seeing multiple times, and some I can't see more than once. My sister wanted to see Ave Q a couple months after I first saw it so I went again and realized I didn't laugh as much expecting each joke. But somehow I still laugh really hard at DRS. I really enjoy watching that cast as a whole, it makes each experience worthwhile. and I mean of all things I think that repeat visits wouldn't be boring it's live theater. I mean, just today I saw 42nd Street tour in Connecticut, and I had the same reaction when I saw Evita in NJ a couple of weeks ago...just wow, so thankful I got to see these productions I missed on broadway. A New Argentina in Evita and Lullaby of Broadway in 42nd Street were just 2 scenes that I felt so lucky to be able to see live--the way so many wonderful aspects, voices, dancing, scenery, music, visuals, words, everything--I just stare at smile and keep those images in my head, and I would love to see those magic moments again live. There's just so much involved..trying to catch all the jokes in comedies, really grasping and understanding the themes in more dramatic/metaphoric shows, truly understanding the satire, then so much to focus on particularly in musicals...scenery, being captivated perhaps by a different character each time, the orchestra, the book, the voices, the dancing...I love it all. So I keep going back, to many different shows, and the same shows.

And for the record in those 45 different shows I've seen there was only one time I paid for a full price $100ish ticket--Spamalot.

Round and round and round we go...

[Elphaba984]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 12:05am

Hey all... i'm gonna put my 2 cents in here. the comment made about seeing 1 particular show over and over again... i've seen over 50 shows from 1999-now, as of right now i've seen every musical currently running or i have tickets for them for spring break and may when i get back from college. yes i am one of those people who latch on to a particular show and obssess/rave about it for months. last year it was boy from oz, this time it happens to be DRS. it's a wonderful show. i love yazbek's music. not to mention the amazing cast, ensemble and the "headliners". it is a rare occassion when i go to see a show more than once. and believe me after seeing DRS for a second time in october, i would continue to go back. ok i'm done with my rant.

EDIT: oh yes and i'm also not from new york and still manage to do all the other "new york" things.

Updated On: 1/8/06 at 12:05 AM

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 12:28am

i love butz. i wish him all the best. and btw, i am an excellent source of information.
ps. i've known several people in his situation who were fine with vocal rest and some therapy. he should be just jake in a little while.

Updated On: 1/8/06 at 12:28 AM

[SirLiir]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 12:45am

Well the next step is how long will he be out? A month? Two? I've gotten emails on the site and I simply do not know what to tell them.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 12:55am

It sounds like Norbert himself doesn't even know at this point. We just gotta be patient.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 1:01am

argh, I'm dreading this trip.

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 2:31am

I saw the show tonight (1/7) and the only person out was Norbert. Joe Cassidy still isn't back, so the other Freddy u/s, Jason Gillman, was in. This was my first time seeing the show, (lost the lotto by the way...kind of crowded), and I was really sad about the lack of Norbert, but Jason did just fine. Very very funny and a great voice. So even without the amazingness that is Norbert (and I did find myself picturing him in certain scenes during the show), DRS is in good hands until he (hopefully quickly!) recovers.

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 2:33am

Whoops...post part deux.

Updated On: 1/8/06 at 02:33 AM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 8:16pm

Okay good news guys! I saw the show today, Jason was on and was fabulous, and I was talking to Joe Cassidy after the show and he said no matter what or how he feels, Norbert WILL be performing at John's last show

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 8:29pm

thanks for the advice wickedrentq, but I'm just going to keep the tickets. This will be my only chance to catch Sherie since I won't be back in town before she leaves (and if she ends up being out, I think I will cry). I'll just try and rush DRS next time I'm out there, hopefully Norbert will be back in by then.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 1/8/06 at 9:39pm

I too saw the show and I agree with WRQ. Jason did a mighty fine job. From some new facts I have learned, Jason and Joe are currently rehearshing with Mr. Pryce so that tells me that the producers do not think Norbert is going to be out long enough to hire a replacement. And yes, Norbert will be perfoming John's last show.
Updated On: 1/8/06 at 09:39 PM

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 8:47am

By "John's Last Show" - we mean the 7pm Sunday show, right?

*crosses fingers for out of town boyfriend who is coming in to see DRS that night*

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 9:03am

Actually, unless they changed it since the show opened, Norbert is very much above the title and therefore his not being in the show means you CAN get an exchange for another day. I suggest you point this out to Telecharge, Meagan.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 9:10am

While I would be disappointed not to see Norbert, his health is more important! I'm not trading in my ticket---it will still be a good show!

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 1/9/06 at 10:31am

I'm in the same boat, Colleen. Not only do I have tickets for the 20th, but I am specifically flying to NY to see Norbert.

Of course, I wish him a speedy and complete recovery, but I don't think it's wrong to be disappointed.