Raven-Symone out today — Page 4

At least they're getting to see Rashidra instead of the other understudy, now that would just be cruel. That would be one of the only times I'd demand a refund.

Rashidra and Kimberly used to split the role. I wonder if they made Rashidra first cover because Kimberly is just a no, or if they're prepping Rashidra for the tour.

A lot of sacrifices need to be made when you carry a show as the star or headliner. I know many of you have read Patti LuPone's book or various print interviews with her. During most of her runs, she sleeps as much as possible (all day usually) and doesn't talk to anyone unless she absolutely has to. That's a lot of months without a normal dinner conversation or a sporting event or a relaxing party. I know she puts in public appearances and chats on talk shoes and interviews. That's "required speaking." But other than that, she's silent.

Not everybody has to go to that extreme, and not everybody gets to play Evita on Broadway either. Different roles require different sacrifices. Raven may have spent years on sitcoms (which also requires stamina), but she basically has to be well or "appear well" only while the camera roles, which is usually one day per week, with two shows (one is a taped dress rehearsal, used for backup). She has to be "on" for those moments, otherwise she can sniffle and cough and sit down if she needs to. You can't do that on Broadway. There's no "time out," once the curtain goes up. There isn't one "show day" per week, either. While the schedule can be exhausting, it isn't' the same thing.

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This is disappointing - while I really enjoyed her opening night, I could tell she was pushing it and wondered if she would be able to sustain. As I mentioned, she (and the show) lost steam in Act 2 with the title song being a bit of a miss. I hope she is taking time to re-think her pacing and is back better than ever.

It's a shame this thread about her absence is longer than the one about her performance.

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Not enough folks got to see her actually perform!

I would doubt she has enough experience with live performing to personally work on her pacing.

And of course, there is always the chance that she's just sick as a dog, and her voice has nothing to do with it.

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Ten dollars says she'll never go back on.

I didn't say she was. But this isn't good for all her fans. I mean, she's a huge role model.

Don't tell Orfeh.

I am not sure I agree that theatre is the most honorable of performance mediums.

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Only Pamela Anderson knows.

Or is she looking for a doctor to say it's medical so she can pull a Jeremy Piven?

(I'm not saying that I think that is what is ACTUALLY going on, just being silly.)

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It's a huge role. Kind of unrealistic for someone with no training/experience in musical theatre to be able to have the stamina to get through an extended run without some sort of issue. You just don't expect it to happen in the second week. Wonder what's going on behind the scenes...Producers must not be very happy.

Kalimba, before I saw your post...I was thinking of Jeffrey Tambor. Good gosh...I hope that's not the case with the newest Deloris. from RC in Austin, Texas

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