Pippin Tour? — Page 8

Second acting IS a grand old tradition. That's how I saw Glenn Close's curtain speech on the closing night of Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. She mentioned being there though the "death of Jackie Kennedy Onasis and the OJ Simpson car chase".

Also, I saw Debbie Gibson's first night in Les Mis that way.

It has been a long long time since I did it though.

BTW I think Pippin has got the be the worst show to second act ever.

@trp I don't know you. But you kind of come out as a looser. You have any friends? BTW your statement as to the actors wages with this productions is way off. They are not making any more or less money.

Second acting is a fun part of old school theater going tradition.

Updated On: 11/5/14 at 06:15 PM

You caught me. I live a sad and lonely life because I think stealing isn't cool.

And no, I'm extremely well-informed - the Pippin tour (and many others) is under the AEA SETA contract, which means that the salaries are laughable with the hope/promise of profit sharing ("overages") once the Producer's weekly guarantee is met. Meaning, if people think they're entitled to walk into the show for free, the actors get paid less.

"But you will be amazed how far a smile and a little honesty gets you."

So, if I smile and tell the usher I'm second acting, I can get in too? Something tells me DAME's pretty good looking.

What is second acting? I'm so confused. Is it not paying for a ticket? Like being friends with an usher and them letting you sneak in? or usher letting you switch to a more expensive seat?

I've never not payed for a ticket even when I see the show multiple times. Sorry, I really want to know.

@JoseLee_ - From what I've deciphered from their bickering, it's when you basically sneak into a show during Act 2 by either A) Lying to the usher & saying you have a ticket to get back in or B) Just walking in and hoping the Usher doesn't say anything.

I probably misunderstood the definition, but that was my take on it.

Thank you guys for the definition.
I've never even thought about an idea like that until today!
I never go to a theatre here in L.A. without having a ticket.
The most bad thing I've done is move to the balcony center. Just because my friend wanted to go up there for intermission then we just stayed there. Those seats were so expensive and I've felt guilty ever since.

I personally haven't done it since I was 19 years old, but it was very easy back then. You simply mingle with the crowd during intermission outside. The when everyone walks in, you walk in too, and take a seat in an empty section. I imagine less people mill about outside now that so few smoke these days.

When I did it for Glenn Close's final Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, it was sold out, so I just stood in the back of the mezz.

Again, I don't agree that anyone is getting any less money because anyone who is second acting very likely wouldn't have been able to afford a ticket. Or had seen the show previously and couldn't afford to see it again.

I have ZERO problem with it.

I've never second acted but I will say that the Pantages ushers are some of the strictest about moving up at intermission--I was pretty far back in the mezz for a show a few years ago (West Side Story maybe?) and there were two or three rows of empty seats a section or two in front of me. At intermission, I politely asked the usher if we could move up and she informed me quite brusquely that we could not, as we hadn't paid for that section.

I understand that in principle, but at the same time... if you have that many empty seats why wouldn't you let people in the cheaper seats move up to them? It's not like they're going to get filled by anyone else.

Saw the tour again last night, this time with KDM. He was good as Pippin although he was also taller, more buff, and more beautiful than his brother… what was he whining about! Andrea got the standing ovation mid-show which didn't happen the first time I saw it. One thing that Andrea did that none of the other actors seemed to pay attention to was her enunciation. You could clearly understand everything she was saying. John Rubinstein was better about it this time around compared to the first time. It was still a struggle to understand his lines but it was better.

Sasha works as the Leading Player. Yes, she's no Patina Miller but she is able to keep up with the demands of the role. There are some nasal portions (which too make her difficult to understand) but there was also a smoky, raspy sound to her voice which was nice. I liked her portrayal more the second time around, more menacing towards the end yet still charismatic.

Side notes:
• I did not like the original production of Pippin. Didn't understand it. Amazing how age and time puts things in perspective
• I sat behind a man who must have been a giant. I couldn't see behind him. Also beside me was a teenager who clearly did not want to be there. It was like sitting next to one of those kids on those viral videos of teens throwing tantrums because they lost their video games. OMG, are all teens like that? Were we like that?! He kept grunting his displeasure to his mother/grandmother. He didn't seem like a special needs kid. Use your words kid! I moved to the back of the balcony where it was empty and much nicer.

"I sat behind a man who must have been a giant. I couldn't see behind him. Also beside me was a teenager who clearly did not want to be there. It was like sitting next to one of those kids on those viral videos of teens throwing tantrums because they lost their video games. OMG, are all teens like that? Were we like that?! He kept grunting his displeasure to his mother/grandmother. He didn't seem like a special needs kid. Use your words kid! I moved to the back of the balcony where it was empty and much nicer."

Oh my. I hate when stuff like that happens. These things are all so subjective to who is around us. I am trying to become better at being patient and shutting these people out of my experience. But sometimes it is so hard.

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Updated On: 11/7/14 at 01:47 PM

Pippin doesn't have a plot? Were you paying attention?

I was at tonight's performance Nov. 7th. Third and final time seeing the tour, first time seeing Kyle Dean Massey. OMG! HE WAS AMAZING!!! I kind of loved his singing a little bit better than Matthew's but Matthew will always be my first I can't really compare because both Matthew & Kyle blew me away. I will say that Kyle is soooooo sexy. Those abs had me sweating. He was the full package... great actor, singer, dancer, and not too bad on the eyes. If you see Kyle, you're in for a treat. Sasha was also amazing! I've gotten used to seeing her in the role and I've really loved her take on it. All three times I saw Pippin, John Rubenstein's only song wasn't good! I couldn't understand anything he was saying in the fast part. I LOVE the guy who plays Lewis, the ladies who play Fastrada & Catherine... they are all superstars.. what voices, dancing, & acting talent they ALL have. Overall, this tour is one you'll never forget. Go see it when it comes to your area.

Updated On: 11/8/14 at 04:21 AM