Official Statement: HOW TO SUCCEED Stagehand Passes Away; Performance Cancelled

[Rob]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:02am

Click Here to Read Official Statement: HOW TO SUCCEED Stagehand Passes Away; Performance Cancelled

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:08am

Condolences to family and all associated with the production.

[Barcelona]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:12am

So tragic...my thoughts and prayers are with their family and the entire company

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:07am

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/nyregion/stagehands-death-leads-to-cancellation-of-how-to-succeed-show.html

suspected drug overdose: The theater industry executive said it was a “personal tragedy unrelated to the show.”

“It was a stagehand who had done something terrible to himself,” the theater industry executive said. “Apparently it happened in a bathroom backstage, and it was very, very serious.”

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:16am

If by overdose, I wonder if this may lead to drug testing for stage hands, since their job can be safety related.

Hard for a cast to perform if their reliability is in question. Especially if they would have involvement in safety for stunts.

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:23am

I don't know... I kinda got the impression from the article it was a suicide and a rare situation- don't think it would lead to wider stagehand drug testing... maybe though

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:33am

Might be a good idea to have a blessing of the theatre before the Thursday show if they are performing tomorrow.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:42am

I'm sure there will be much speculation over whether it was suicide or an accidental overdose. In these cases, you can never be certain that you know the truth.

No matter what, I'm sure the cast and crew will feel a dark cloud hanging over them for some time.

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:45am

Condolences to the family.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:23am

My condolences to the family, friends and coworkers.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:26am

My condolences to the family, friends and coworkers.

[crewdude]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 11:05am

Rather than recognize this as a sad and tragic story about an individual, some people see this as some sort of industry wide problem. Some people "...wonder if this may lead to drug testing for stage hands, since their job can be safety related."

It's sad that people would assume this is some wider problem. It's sad that people would base this idea on 'safety'. It's sad that people would think the actor is not also part of his own safety. It's sad that people think all actors are some kind of angels that don't use illegal drugs. It's sad that people think some actors don't drink heavily between shows on a two show day thus impairing their own safety and their fellow cast and crew members. It's sad that people think some actors don't create a "tradition" of drinking during the show on a particular night of the week.

But nothing is as sad as the idea that while this man's friends and family and the entire company of HTS are mourning the tragic loss of their friend and company member, some people on the internet are turning his death into some kind of tabloid fueled moment of speculation.

This is the story of one young man that came to a sad and tragic end. Let his friends and family mourn their loss for at least ONE day before everyone jumps in with their speculation/condemnation.

[Nettik]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 11:08am

Very sad, was hoping that the story wouldn't end this way.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 11:24am

Not speaking about this HTS incident specifically, but with addiction, the line between overdose and suicide is somewhat blurry. I think that a large number of people suffering from the illness of drug addiction that die from accidental overdose, are not trying to kill themselves at the time of their passing. They may feel powerless and perhaps are suicidal, but I believe that the number of people who actually try to kill themselves with their drug of choice is probably quite small. I hope and pray for the family and the cast during this difficult time.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 11:29am

crewdude, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're a member of the stagehand's union. If so please accept my heartfelt condolences over the loss of one of your brethern.

That being said I'm going to ask you to not paint with such wide strokes because of the comments from one person who is known for making fairly ridiculous ones.

I feel that I can safely say that the majority of this board do not see this as some widespread problem. It is a tragedy that is for certain but I don't see anyone casting stagehands or any other crew member into the pits. I also don't see anyone exalting performers. To borrow a phrase - it takes a village to put on a production. If even one member is impaired - no matter what their job may be - it puts everyone at risk. I see no arguing that.

So, please don't judge us all based on one. Isn't that the same thing you're asking us to do?

Updated On: 6/23/11 at 11:29 AM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 11:36am

crewdude, your personal vendetta post is as equally inappropriate to the situation as the speculation you're condemning.

[crewdude]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:30pm

eris and skittles, et al - you should reread my post. I was very careful to say "some people". I didn't speak in generalities. I didn't paint people in broad strokes. I made effort to not make broad generalities of the board. Discussions were already popping up about broader topics than just this one man's tragic end. I tried to remind people that this is the story of ONE person's life. I was cautious to acknowledge that "SOME people" are already trying to turn this into a story of a union/the entertainment industry/addiction in general etc. No details have been released about the situation. I merely suggested people give his friends, family and the company ONE day - a mere 24 hours - to mourn before speculating/educating/condemning/gossiping.

I fail to find any "personal vendetta" in a plea for decency and respect for the loss of a human being. A request to show respect for his family and friends and co-workers, union brothers and the Broadway community- for 24 hours is not normally considered a "vendetta". Common courtesy and respect for the deceased should not have to be requested. If someone sees a request for a 24 hour period of respect as some kind of "personal vendetta", I will not apologize nor will I accept the premise that it is "inappropriate" to try to stop any discussion that is pure speculation.

For the rest of you decent human beings - thank you for your display of common decency and understanding.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:10pm

It's sad that people would think the actor is not also part of his own safety. It's sad that people think all actors are some kind of angels that don't use illegal drugs. It's sad that people think some actors don't drink heavily between shows on a two show day thus impairing their own safety and their fellow cast and crew members. It's sad that people think some actors don't create a "tradition" of drinking during the show on a particular night of the week.

Perhaps you should reread your own post and explain to us how your tangential rant about drunken actors has anything to do with showing respect for the stagehand and his family.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:26pm

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06/23/daniel-radcliffe-broadway-musical-shaken-by-backstage-death/

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:41pm

Drug testing in an industry involved with safety does not paint its members as addicts and the suggestion is not intended as any slur on stage hands.

In this case, if the young fellow had been tested it may have led him to treatment and saved his life.

[crewdude]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:52pm

skittles - thank you so much for your display of humanity by waiting a few hours before attempting to incite some kind of flame war on this board.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:53pm

You don't know too much about addiction. Perhaps you had two years of rudimentary instruction?

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 2:48pm

The latest news "leak". Who knows how accurate it is...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/06/heroin-found-near-dead-how-to-succeed-stagehand.html
Updated On: 6/23/11 at 02:48 PM

[Brick]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 4:02pm

God, this whole situation is just awful. My thoughts go with the family of the crew member and the cast who must get through a musical comedy tonight after such a senseless tragedy. However it happened, may that person rest in peace.
Updated On: 6/23/11 at 04:02 PM

[egghumor]

Posted: 6/23/11 at 5:40pm

A very heartbreaking story on many levels. Too bad that even this thread has been reduced to a fair measure of bickering. If anything positive/validating has emerged from this situation is that most of us that work (or did work) in theater recognize that the deceased person's role in the production is as pivotal -- on a daily basis -- as that of Daniel Radcliffe's.