Riedel on vultures circling ‘Great Comet’ — Page 12

@bear88, the Equity term is "terminate" not "fire" and Oak was terminated as of the Sunday before Mandy's planned arrival. A "buyout" suggests that he was paid something over and above his contractual pay, with that additional amount serving as consideration for some benefit (e.g., a muzzle).

@Evans2 I would love to know what you find "condescending." I can't imagine what it would be, since all I did was state some observations. The only thing I can conclude is that you find my very presence here condescending, which is your prerogative but not meaningful to me. haterobics explains how you apparently misconstrued my Captain Imperial quip, which may go far in explaining the broader "problem."

Got it. So for Equity contract purposes, the loaded term - "fire" - doesn't sound terribly significant. It just means they're not paying anything extra, so he keeps quiet or for any other reason. Given the stated reasons of his removal of Onaodowan's removal ["make room for Mandy"], it also wouldn't seem unusual that he would remain in the show until a new actor is ready.

That doesn't explain everything, of course. I don't know if it's more typical to pay something extra (he was being discharged three weeks early, not three months).

Updated On: 8/8/17 at 10:30 AM

Does he have to be terminated or cause? Or is it up to them as long as they pay out the remainder of the contract length as it was originally planned?

Schubox said: "Does he have to be terminated or cause? Or is it up to them as long as they pay out the remainder of the contract length as it was originally planned?"

This site has The O'Henry Report podcast. It gives insight as to what happened in the Patinkin/Oak matter. It's episode 2 and they discuss this fiasco and how it relates to contracts. It's about an hour, but the first 2/3 of the podcast is about finding cast members followed by an interview with the assistant director of TGC who discusses rehearsing replacement stars. The last part is with a general manager who discusses the likely contracts of Oak vs Mandy and what likely happened and answers most of what Schubox asked. Essentially, they would have to pay off the contract's term if producer/actor decide to part ways.

The Asst Director discussed how they map out where each actor has to be at any given moment. That explains all the marked tape I saw on the stage floor.

I was under the impression, all along, that he was going to be paid for the remainder of his contract. That may be incorrect, and if it is, someone please correct me. It certainly wasn't portrayed in public statements as termination for cause, unless "cause" can be interpreted as, "You're not selling enough tickets."

JustAnotherNewYorker said: "haterobics said: "Nicole 10 said: "I have 8 tickets for the evening of August 31st. Do you think I should be fine for that date?"

If the "Scott for a week, Dave for a week, then ?!?" plan is true, then you are in the ?!? .....

If you can move up a week and get Dave, that seems like a solid, safe plan. As safe as any post 8/13 Comet tickets right now, at least... "



Does trpguyy have some inside information on plans or was the"Scott then Dave" just spitballing an idea of what they might do? People seem to be taking it literally, but i assumed the latter. I certainly wouldn't buy tickets on the basis of what look like a total guess..."

At the time of posting it's the working plan, but as we've seen, things can change pretty quickly. I wouldn't have posted something as fact if it were not so.

So does that mean I should try to change the tickets?

trpguyy said: "JustAnotherNewYorker said: "haterobics said: "Nicole 10 said: "I have 8 tickets for the evening of August 31st. Do you think I should be fine for that date?"

If the "Scott for a week, Dave for a week, then ?!?" plan is true, then you are in the ?!? .....

If you can move up a week and get Dave, that seems like a solid, safe plan. As safe as any post 8/13 Comet tickets right now, at least... "



Does trpguyy have some inside information on plans or was the"Scott then Dave" just spitballing an idea of what they might do? People seem to be taking it literally, but i assumed the latter. I certainly wouldn't buy tickets on the basis of what look like a total guess..."

At the time of posting it's the working plan, but as we've seen, things can change pretty quickly. I wouldn't have posted something as fact if it were not so.



"

So I'm theory it would be Scott through the 20th and then Dave? I actually grabbed two Patinkin shows, looks like they'll both be Scott though :/ I've seen Dave do it, but if this is the end I'd like to see him one more time

Just got a great onstage seat for the 27th, so Dave or finale or both, I'll probably go then... (or move it when there is more detail)

haterobics said: "Just got a great onstage seat for the 27th, so Dave or finale or both, I'll probably go then... (or move it when there is more detail)"

While they've certainly been allowing refunds for the Mandy shows after the announcement, I haven't seen any indication that if you buy now you can "move it"....

Still, would be nice to know the final day, as I'd like to attend too...(I'm there the 13th and 15th already)

I think the most interesting news here is that Benton didn't do Act 2. Curious what that is. Seems a tad unprofessional if it was because of this casting and not for any other reason.

@bear88 he is being paid for the remainder (3 weeks) of his contract. This is not a for cause termination. Were it, (a) we would be reading about a hearing that is being held and (b) one would think he would not be in the show after the advent of the " cause."

@Baritone "fired" in the sense that he is being terminated prematurely. Not being renewed is something else. Oak's termination (aka fire) date is 8/13, not 3 weeks later. He will receive his final paycheck (including the last 3 weeks plus the current week) in the earlier pay cycle.

Whoa....Brandon didn't get thru 1st act? That must've been weird having a new Ham come on stage w/o explanation. I met someone a couple of weeks ago who said his performance wasn't very good. She said he performed as if "he called it in," meaning he had little passion or interest. Maybe he's tired of it all.

I found the O'Henry podcast on this website. It was a good explanation of the mess.

Yes, you're right. My bad. I've seen him enough I should've remembered. Be it Burr or Ham, how bizarre to have someone else come out in in the middle of the act. I would've loved to have seen the audience reaction.