PRIMA DONNA - nypost.com- Page 2

[DonnaMurphyRocks]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 5:26pm

You're right, everyone has a right to their own opinion. Sorry. I guess reading that just made me over emotional.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 9:04pm

Reidel mentions something in passing which I find very tantalizing - the suggestion that Christine Ebersole be Donna's stand-by.

I don't think she'd be better than Donna. But I think she'd be a VERY interesting alternative.

[localonecrew]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 9:14pm

"Based on what, localonecrew, do you know her personally?"
yes. I have worked 2 shows with her.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 10:04pm

I had the opportunity to watch Ms. Murphy work with one of the swings and other chorus boys one night before the show (to work out a couple of moments for safety). I've actually seen her work out moments a couple of times. My observation is that of a performer who is pleasant, yet serious about making sure that everything is in place. This is the way you have to be--especially at her level of craft. Whether you are an actor, a stage manager, a board op, a properties master--whatever--you MUST be logistics and detailed oriented aka perfectionist/anal rententive. This is often mistaken for divaness. And if others are NOT behaving in this mutual capacity, then one may have to (preferably gently) "lay down the law" (or use a stage manager as mediator--which is best). Now, I don't know if Donna does that gently or bitchy (and, I'm not trying to imply that localonecrew was anything other than excellent) but, she is doing it to create that caliber of work. Any other performer working at her level would do the same is need be.

I will repeat that I distinctly heard a subtle denasaled quality in her voice Wednesday night. This supports to my mind that she was truly SICK--not vocally tired or just coming off of a nice selfish holiday.

I will add that I actually had a conversation with a stage hand tonight about this article. He confirmed that every bit of that article is a lie (we didn't discuss the replacements part). I (as one who is in the front of that house every night) know for a fact that much of that article is a lie. And, this guy confirmed the rest.

I will also say that while Donna is stunning--and is the draw to the show, she does not carry the show on her shoulders. The audiences were howling and cheering just the same the nights Linda went on--and not just for Ruth. They LOVE the various numbers (especially Darlin' Eileen--which Ruth isn't even in). In addition, the national publicity on the show is often about Jennifer Westfeldt (because of the success of Kissing Jessica Stein). A lot of people at the show didn't even know who Donna Murphy was when they found out she wasn't in.

The show has only been open since November 24--and in previews since November 5th--and yet Reidel and some of the folks on this board are acting like she has been doing this every other week for a year now. It just isn't possible to some folks that she is sincerely ill--and, yes, the role is demanding--at least her version is.

If this keeps happening over the next few months, then fine. I will probably agree that it is a Martine McCutcheon or a "Julie Andrews in V/V" problem. But for now, I anticipate Ms. Murphy's giving 110% 8 shows a week in spite of this tabloid BS.

=)

Updated On: 12/20/03 at 10:04 PM

[tpdc]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 10:31pm

I have a friend who worked with Donna twice and he found her charming and down to earth. He has horror stories about working with Elaine Stritch but only nice things to say about Donna. Donna was certainly charming when I saw her at the Sondheim Festival at the Kennedy Center.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 11:09pm

Donna and Elaine are both sweethearts each with their own distinctive personalities.

Donna is captivating in WT, no question. If she's sick, she's sick. Have any of her critics considered it is possible that even with her talent she doesn't possess the physical constitution that live performances demand week after week? I'm not excusing her just stating a possibility--just because someone is talented it doesn't necessarily follow that they can play 8 performances a week continually. Some bodies just aren't up to it, no matter how great they look.

Bulldog.

[tpdc]

Posted: 12/19/03 at 11:40pm

Donna played KING & I for a year and PASSION for its entire run only missing one performance.