Not having Betsy Struxness in the Hamilton movie does a disservice to the show — Page 2

Because a leading actor has more exposure and the pressures of the role are different. You often have to live like a monk or a nun to get through a leading role, not only because of the vocal and physical challenges but also the massive emotional and physiological marathon you might be running as both the character and as the actor impacted by said character. Ensemble members do not have to deal with anything on that level. Sorry. The ensemble are hugely, hugely important but it’s not the same.

Maybe being the ensemble doesn’t come with the pressure or emotional strain of a lead role, but oftentimes the physical strain is much greater. It depends on the show, but the ensemble tracks in Hamilton look exhausting. If you’re feeling burnt out and you’re no longer being fulfilled, there’s nothing wrong with leaving as long as you give notice and don’t screw anyone over. I don’t know anything beyond her statement, so maybe there’s more to the story, but it seems like she exited in a professional manner.

Which track was hers? The one Ariana DeBose did in the recording?

Okay, I read Betsy’s statement. Where in any of it did she say she was forced out or they made things so difficult for her she left the show? Her reasons are exactly why many finally leave the industry. It happens to MANY. It’s so obvious many of you on here have never taken leaps in careers or your lives. For many of us, we’ve gotten to try everything we’ve wanted and many things lose their appeal after a few years. Countless times you find you liked one aspect of something but not the other stuff. You move on. Many just stick around and stay miserable for decades wishing for another life. Many of us just change it. That’s what she did and says so. Once the creative contribution stopped, she was bored. It happens. By the time the show took off, she was tired and was taking it out on others, so she knew it was time to go. That’s called - making a sacrifice. The show was a huge hit and great things were happening but she wasn’t into it anymore and miserable. I’ve been there several times and my career journey has taken me on so many creative reaches that continue. I’ve taken risks and they’ve all been career changers for me.

FYI: her descriptions are exactly why Streisand never returned to Broadway. From her very first show in 1962 - I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, she hated it. Once the show was frozen, she hated her life. Equity had to intervene as she was ad-libbing and doing her main number “Miss Marmelstein” differently each night. She was forced to stop and do the show exactly each night. It became boring. She did her second show FUNNY GIRL for obvious reasons - it would catapult her career further. She hated the 2 years she was in it. She’s talked about feeling like she was in a prison term and had a calendar in her dressing room where she’d cross off the days left. She was also on Demarol to control the stress of that 8 performances a week schedule. After her Broadway run ended she did FUNNY GIRL on the West End. Pregnancy cut her run short and that’s when she left the stage forever. Her dream was to be on Broadway. Did it, done it. She moved on. Like Betsy did.

It seems like she left of a valid reason and no one bears her any ill will. And she is right to point out that this D+ recording is not the original Broadway cast. But I think she vastly overestimates how much the average person cares that a couple of ensemble members are missing. I've been involved with several conversations with first time viewers over the weekend and not one of them knew or cared that an original ensemble member wasn't there. People are showing up for the principals. It sucks but that's the way the world works.

NOWaWarning said: "Because a leading actor has more exposure and the pressures of the role are different. You often have to live like a monk or a nun to get through a leading role, not only because of the vocal and physical challenges but also the massive emotional and physiological marathon you might be running as both the character and as the actor impacted by said character. Ensemble members do not have to deal with anything on that level. Sorry. The ensemble are hugely, hugely important but it’s not the same.

Maybe being the ensemble doesn’t come with the pressure or emotional strain of a lead role, but oftentimes the physical strain is much greater. It depends on the show, but the ensemble tracks in Hamilton look exhausting. If you’re feeling burnt out and you’re no longer being fulfilled, there’s nothing wrong with leaving as long as you give notice and don’t screw anyone over. I don’t know anything beyond her statement, so maybe there’s more to the story, but itseems like she exited in a professional manner.

Which track was hers? The one Ariana DeBose did in the recording?

"

Oh gosh absolutely! Being in the ensemble of a musical is hard, hard work and it kicks your ass. I was just responding specifically to the question of why leads sometimes don’t do all eight shows and what makes them different.

The unfortunate part is that years from now, it will be known as the original cast of Hamilton, and all of this will have gone away.

I also wonder that if this was the a filmed version of another show if there would be this conversation, or in this political climate would it have the same traction.

GreasedLightning said: "Who’s Betsy Struxness?

(I kid, but come on... this is silly.) "

We’re ALL after her best interest. Even though she’s oblivious to this thread right now. Hahaha.

This thread is disgusting. That is all.One *should* expect more of people that manage to find their way to a theatre message board, go through the bother of joining and posting, but here we are.

poisonivy2 said: "IDGI. She wasn't happy doing the show and left on her own accord. She's getting residual royalties that the OBC gets. She doesn't get the film royalties because she had departed the show by the time of the film. Did she expect that they'd ask her back for the film?

ETA: she's been posting lots of shots of Hamilton and seems excited and happy about the film."

I think she was upset they were calling it the Original Broadway Cast, which it wasn't.