Riedel on Diana Rigg being annoyed Ambrose misses Sundays

Will at least I know Ms. Rigg will be there when I attend. She is the principal I'm most interested in seeing.

I wonder what her work ethic says about publicly undermining a fellow member of her cast. It’s admirable (however ill-advised) that Ms. Rigg went through with every performance of Medea despite the damage to her vocal chords. I wasn’t the biggest fan of this revival. However, I give kudos to Ms. Ambrose for her vocal performance. Perhaps as somehow who isn’t a seasoned musical actress, 8 performances a week is too much for her. Would Ms. Rigg prefer Ms. Ambrose do all eight performances at the risk of having to take extended time off later or do irreparable damage to her vocal chords? In an effort to be tactful, I did not mention this in my mini-review after I saw the show, but I found the performance of Ms. Rigg to be the most inconsistent and lacking the night I saw the show. I’d also say it’s easy for her to be judgmental of Ms. Ambrose for taking off one matinee a week when Ms. Rigg has the easiest role in the show. Regardless, while not unprecedented by others I imagine, Ms. Rigg’s conduct is highly unprofessional.

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 11:01 PM

God I miss Riedel's twice-weekly column.

Ahhh bless the 79 year old Diana Rigg! One thing about being that age (and I hope I get there and am still going strong then like her): you say exactly what you think and you really don' t give a damn where it lands. There's nothing more she needs from any of these people in the way of future work/career. She's free to say it like it is! No one else in that cast really is!

Updated On: 7/5/18 at 11:31 PM

Those with sturdy constitutions usually just don't understand how stress can affect some people and certainly wouldn't understand it if a person had a "breakdown" while trying to gut it out.

It's on the director if he took the risk of casting a woman in her forties with no prior experience with musicals and put her in such a demanding role. Have you seen the nearby interview with Idina Menzel where she tells us what a relief it is to be in a straight play where she does not have to wake every morning and do a voice check?

Of course is she is really concerned about not being home enough then that's on her. And those thousands who bought tickets thinking they were to see a Tony nominee should be offered a refund or exchange.

Watching Lauren's last Sunday matinee, I thought that the 2nd act confrontations between Lauren and Harry just keep getting better and that Higgins was evolving into a more sympathetic character by play's end.

It's really simple. If you want to be sure your big name co-stars are not upset, disappointed and annoyed and everything is kept in house, don't make them find out about this from the newspaper and don't have staff that leak e-mails to gossip columnists.

Rock on, Mrs. Peel.

first of all, the number of people who give a rat's behind about this subject who have not posted in this thread is 7.

secondly, if an actor is taking off one show a week to be with family, that's what is contracted. You don't get to take off days in the theatre just because you feel like it any more than you do for your shifts at McDonalds. So there is some sort of disconnect here.

thirdly, old people who think its cool that they don't have editing devices in the mouth are only entertaining in plays, and we've all already seen Three Tall Women.

finally, the only reason Riedel posted this is because he is the laziest man in the world, and this dropped in his lap.

I just know from folks who work at LC that audience members are more upset when Norbert or Diana are not on. Many audience members have no idea who Ambrose is.

The big name that has been batted around most to help sell the production is that of its director.