Raul E. out of Taboo today.- Page 2

[JO125]

Posted: 11/9/03 at 10:48pm

Yes, Raul, I would also love to see you in Assassins, so do what you feel you need to do. Please wait, though, until I see you perform, until after opening night so you can be considered for a Tony, and oh yeah, record the cast album. I need to hear that voice on something new.

Serious question for you BestofBroadway: Would Rosie really let him out of his contract, regardless of how much he may or may not want to leave? And since Assassins is not starting for several months, why would he put himself through the trouble of trying to get out of it, be without a job for several months, and risk the bad PR? Especially since he has worked so hard in this role already, and is getting such positive word of mouth for his performance. Just wondering....

[etoile]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 12:09am

Let's ask Horsey.

[Horsey]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 2:02am

I just heard from a "very reliable source" that Raul is negotiating to replace Donna Murphy in "Wonderful Town"...and vice versa.

[JO125]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 7:42am

LOL

But hey, with a good wig and the right lighting.........

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 9:01pm

It's just what I heard...I don't know all the details, except that he is doing everything in his power to be considered for the role in Assasins (which is not as far off as you think.)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 9:45pm

Horsey, I thought you were fed up with the witch hunt and were leaving us. It's not nice to raise my hopes and then dash them!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/10/03 at 9:53pm

raul's sick, sore throat, flu is going through the cast...as it is in most theaters right now. how long a contract did raul sign? and does anybody think that rosie would be averse to letting him walk in say early january? let the wild and woolly donnie k take over? that's all assuming that taboo is still up and running then.

[JO125]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 1:25am

bestofbroadway, I just want to assure you that my questions were not meant at all sarcastically. I really was asking your opinions based on the fact that you heard and posted about Assassins. I would like to hear all opinions actually. I am not in the business, and I really don't know how these contractual agreements work.

Papa, I believe I heard something like a 6 month contract, but I am not certain. In my opinion, I can't see Rosie letting him out one minute before his contract expires. From everything she has said, she worked too hard to get him. She does not appear the type to give anything she does not want to give. Just look how hard and fast she has remained with her no discount policy.

Does anyone know, if Raul does not come back by Wednesday, does he miss getting reviewed by the major critics? How would that work?

[cabarethed]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 1:45am

Sigh.

I really hope he feels better, I really do. Bronchitis is a bitch.
But I'm going to be so upset if I can't exchange for another performance if he's out tomorrow...plus the fact that I'm making a 4 hour total commute after classes and all just to get up and see him...the holiday retail season is beginning and between that and classes ending, December is going to be SO busy for me.
Those are just my issues though, I totally understand if he's sick...I'm only going to be really mad if the box office won't exchange b/c he's not billed above the title or something.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 8:19am

I haven't been interested enough in TABOO to check what the billing is like on the program. I'm sure Boy George's name is above the title, but is Raul's name there, too? If his name is above the title of the play, you are entitled to a full refund or an exchange of tickets--no questions asked.

[alterego]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 8:21am

My guess is that he can open in Taboo do its whole run, have a holiday and then start rehearsals for Assassins. lol.
Now don't tell me that none of you are thinking the same thing now!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 8:34am

I think it's most interesting that you are all defending this type of behaviour. I like Raul and think he's very talented BUT, I don't think it's "ok" for him to be running around like a spoiled brat, and causing all this havoc.(if, in fact, all these rumors about him being the mole are remotely true). First of all the guy has been in 2 B'way shows, and one off B'way show, and again, he's talented but he didn't hang the moon, so what gives? I can't stand "after the fact" people. He had every opportunity to turn Taboo down, he didn't and now it's not going exactly the way he expected it to, so he's "trying to get released"? How is that sitting well and being encouraged by most of you? Someone posted that "Rosie worked too hard to get him". I don't even understand that statement. Who is he, Tom Cruise? It's not like he's a household name and she's performed a casting coup. I'm honestly confused by this whole situation. Updated On: 11/11/03 at 08:34 AM

[LC]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 8:41am

I heard that Alan Cumming was their first wish for Philip Sallon.

[LC]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 8:42am

If he really is sick, and he really is the mole, then I guess it's just Karma in action

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 9:12am

Just a rumor again- but from what I understand Raul can't stand Rosie and the way she is dealing with the show, the actors, etc. That's good enough reason for me. You say he didn't hang the moon...well he might as well have. He's definetely the most talented thing on Broadway. I wouldn't justify his behavior if I didn't think it was justifiable, and from my understanding of the situation I don't blame him.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 9:21am

A agree with Al. Raul is a star ascending, not yet a star. He's not exactly a ticket-seller (I mean, hell, he's no Donna Murphy...) at this point. But if he's unhappy, why not let him out? The future of TABOO does not rest on his shoulders. TABOO's future is all about ... TABOO.

I continue to hear opinions that are 180. Perhaps that means it's gonna get the same from the critics.

But has anyone noticed the diff between the Times piece today on WONDERFUL TOWN -- a major explanation as to where the money is going (there are 4 trumpets!) and how classy it is ... compared to the piece that followed the first TABOO preview? When people were interviewed who didn't like it? Since when does the Times report on negative feedback after ONE preview? And yet, because Brantley's Encore's review is the raison d'etre for the Weissler's reviving the Murphy TOWN, there's almost a promotional tone?

But I hope both shows thrive. There's an audience who needs choices.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 9:26am

There's a reason people aren't reacting negatively to Raul's shenanigans: he's a man, baby.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 10:04am

Auggie 27,:))

"He's not exactly a ticket-seller (I mean, hell, he's no Donna Murphy..."

Were you joking? I don't think anyone would consider Donna Murphy a ticket seller.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 10:09am

I'm surprised no one else seems to have related his current flu to his running around the theater in his underwear....

perhaps he should at least throw on a scarf.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 10:28am

Yep, Teacher, alas the Donna as ticket seller line was a lame joke, and an attempt to tie my two paragraphs together. Not a dig at Donna, by the way, whom I much admire ... but at the NY Times concept of its own power.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 12:02pm

You're right about that Namo. As for him being "the most talented thing on broadway", I politely but vehemently disagree. He's good, not great, good. He's a short, chubby guy with good chops. Not the second coming. Again, this isn't a bash Raul thread, I do enjoy his work BUT, I don't condone tempermental behaviour from anyone fortunate enough to make an actual living in the arts. He's being a spoiled ingrate. I get sickened when Benanti acts this way, I am sickened by it now watching Raul do the same.

[cabarethed]

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

He IS sick. I never said he was a saint, but I never thought of him as acting like a brat now, and Not just b/c of my bias. Updated On: 11/11/03 at 12:03 PM

[LC]

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

A couple of quotes from BGs UK Sunday newspaper column, surrounding last weeks bad press and leaking moles:

"On Wednesday we had some of the worst press yet and the cast seemed to be deeply negative about it all. Once on stage and in character it was back to business and we had the best show yet."

"All this negativity does weigh down on morale but you have to focus on the job in hand and remember that there are people working harder in jobs they hate for far less money."

[Al Dente]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 12:26pm

Thanks LC, that's the sole purpose of my *rant*. These actors forget SO quickly how lucky they are. I want to shake them by the shoulders and say "have you got something better to do"? Most of them probably feel like they're slumming in musical theater but I hate to break it to them, most of them don't have the looks/youth/style to be matinee' idols and it's funny how often they forget that. Raul's lucky he's in a world, (the only world) where he would be considered, a hearthrob.

[JO125]

Posted: 11/11/03 at 12:32pm

Dollypop, none of the performers have their names above the title. Playbill reads: Rosie O'Donnell and Adam Kenwright
presents TABOO
The main cast members are all then listed alphabetically.

Al, I am curious what behaviour you feel is being defended. The only behaviour he has exhibited so far is taking a few days off for a reported illness. That should not need defending. As for his being the possible "mole", that is based on supposition and innuendo. Regardless, no one seems to be defending that, just commenting.
In reference to posts about him wanting out of Taboo to do Assassins, again, based on one poster's "reliable source", unproven and based only on supposition. It is obviously creating lots of discussion, and several people seem feel it would be a good idea. However, I don't take that as defending Raul's behaviour; they are stating their own opinions about what he should do, and apparently offering him career advice in the process.
It seems to me that Raul is not creating the havoc. The rumormill is taking care of that one. Whatever happens, we will find out soon enough anyway, with Taboo opening shortly.
I Raul decides to make a move, it will also be reported very quickly, I'm sure.

Oh, and to clarify, what I meant by Rosie had worked hard to get him was that she has stated to the press how she had to convince him to take the role, how brilliant he is in the role, etc. Maybe not a casting coup, but Rosie's decision. I mentionned it only in the context of why I thought she would not be so quick to release him. She doesn't strike me as someone who lets something/someone she wants go so easily once she has them.

Sorry so long.