Riedel on vultures circling ‘Great Comet’- Page 14

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 9:58am

"So, why the hell shut down the show?"

Because there is no advance and the current sales are insufficient to avoid losses. Would you be willing to lose a six figure number each week to keep it open? No? I didn't think so. It is not surprising that yesterday's shows were well attended but this is no Indecent. Have a look at the grosses on Monday, past and next. It's the reality check you are missing. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 10:07am

I wonder if they are getting pressure from the Imperial?     Especially since the advance is so low (mostly due to nothing being announced  - pre the Oak fiasco - about a new Pierre) even though they sell a great amount of day of sales.   

 

How long do you suspect it will take them to retore the theater to its "normal" proscenium state?  

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 11:49am

dramamama611 said: "I wonder if they are getting pressure from the Imperial?     Especially since the advance is so low (mostly due to nothing being announced  - pre the Oak fiasco - about a new Pierre) even though they sell a great amount of day of sales.   

 

How long do you suspect it will take them to retore the theater to its "normal" proscenium state?  "

Gentle pressure perhaps. I am told that none of the alterations are as difficult to un-do as they appear. The biggest project is unbolting and rebolting seats, and judging by full replacements in other theatres, that's basically 1 week (so let's call it 2).

[David10086]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 11:56am

JayElle said: ""This thread reads like a series of White House memos."

We have little life...."

LOL! I agree....

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 11:57am

HogansHero said: "dramamama611 said: "I wonder if they are getting pressure from the Imperial?     Especially since the advance is so low (mostly due to nothing being announced  - pre the Oak fiasco - about a new Pierre) even though they sell a great amount of day of sales.   

 

How long do you suspect it will take them to retore the theater to its "normal" proscenium state?  "

Gentle pressure perhaps. I am told that none of the alterations are as difficult to un-do as they appear. The biggest project is unbolting and rebolting seats, and judging by full replacements in other theatres, that's basically 1 week (so let's call it 2)."

For the theater itself, I think the fixes are not minimal. but not great.

• The stage can be dismantled
• The stairs removed (I presume this was done with an eye for removal)
• The walkways are over seat locations (same presumption)
• The walls are just hung with red cloth and paintings
• Replace chairs 

Interestingly, the entrance hall changes may be more work unless that's just wallboard mounted over the existing walls.....

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 12:13pm

It's a rhetorical question, Hogan. So have you seen the show? 

I've a financial background and am well aware of profit/loss, along with the politics.  I was one of a few chatters months ago who said Oak seemed a weird fit for this show, and it had nothing to do with race. He aces some of the vocals, but doesn't have the vocal range on others so he falls flat. If Howard wanted a Ham actor,  Lin Manuel have been the better name recognition choice,  but Lin had other roads to travel.  

Howard, the producer, is a former hedge fund Wall St partner who sees $ before art. Howard must've assumed he could match Ham profits with a Groban name and splash.  He tried to exploit the success of Ham & figured one of its ensemble actors would draw the crowds. Didn't work for Amalie either.  International Groban to a relatively unknown ensemble actor?  Don't think so.  But on Groban's last day, Lucas Steele (Anatole) said in his farewell speech that  Groban, who saw the show at the tent, wanted to be a part of it and made the call to the producer, who also said that Mandy saw the show and wanted to be a part of it.

 The show could've used some editing as some scenes are superfluous and others leave viewers confused.I thought the opera scene was one.    When there are empty seats post intermission, it speaks loudly.  However, a good number of the attendees were 20-30 somethings and the ones cheering loudly.

I If the events created a toxic situation that  prominent actors won't join, then band together to overcome it.   The anger and disgust among the stage staff, ushers, ticket folks was as thick as smoke while the audience appeared oblivious.  In some ways it reminded me of congress each with their own entrenched faction.

As one chatter said previously, the irony is that  all this fuss was over a white guy was replacing Oak.  Well now, 2 white guys are replacing Oak and putting the diverse group of ensemble actors on the street.  And once again, I couldn't find that Casal guy in the program.

They say Howard is known to bring his share of lawsuits.  Well Mandy may face one per Forbes.  If Howard claims breach of oral contract, Mandy can claim fraudulent inducement. Likely nothing will happen.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2017/08/08/great-comet-controversy-could-continue-after-closing/#57c6a922c31f   

There's a lot of blame to go around, but there was also a lot of fun in the theater on Saturday at both shows, and I'm going again.  Sorry that the forces didn't  "rise up" to overcome the negativity of Cynthia, et al.  

[Lot666]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 12:41pm

JustAnotherNewYorker said: "Interestingly, the entrance hall changes may be more work unless that's just wallboard mounted over the existing walls...."

I wondered about that the first time I stepped into the Imperial box office lobby after having previously been there for the revival of Les Miserables. I was stunned by what they'd done to the formerly ornate decor; surely it must still be there, but covered up - right?

[schubox]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 12:58pm

Lot666 said: "JustAnotherNewYorker said: "Interestingly, the entrance hall changes may be more work unless that's just wallboard mounted over the existing walls...."

I wondered about that the first time I stepped into the Imperial box office lobby after having previously been there for the revival of Les Miserables. I was stunned by what they'd done to the formerly ornate decor; surely it must still be there, but covered up - right?

 

"

It honestly looks like they just painted sheets of press board and put them on a frame in front of the existing walls 

[Lot666]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 1:18pm

schubox said: "Lot666 said: "JustAnotherNewYorker said: "Interestingly, the entrance hall changes may be more work unless that's just wallboard mounted over the existing walls...."

I wondered about that the first time I stepped into the Imperial box office lobby after having previously been there for the revival of Les Miserables. I was stunned by what they'd done to the formerly ornate decor; surely it must still be there, but covered up - right?"

It honestly looks like they just painted sheets of press board and put them on a frame in front of the existing walls"

That's what I'm thinking; I can't imagine the house would've actually let them remove the original decor!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 3:11pm

Hellob said: "I don't know why they focused on Pierre for the continued stunt casting when they should have been focused on Natasha, Anatole and possibly the aunt. Even if Mandy came, you have the same problem you have with Groban, their typical fan isn't the target audience for the show. Get a Demi Lovato or something like that and you're attracting the 20-35 year old that you need. I love Lucas but the Urie situation shows that hip casting works. I'd have put a One Direction member there and a respected older lady for the aunt. 

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...

I don't think Demi Lovato's itching to do a Broadway show and the One Direction guys could not sing anything in this score. But yes, I agree that if they were only focused on stunt-casting Pierre that was a mistake. As much as I love Lucas, Anatole is a great role to stunt cast with a Brendon Urie or Adam Lambert type. It's much flashier than Pierre. 

But it doesn't matter now.

 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 3:18pm

^ Pierre is just a smaller role. Natasha and Anatole are much bigger roles with bigger parts in songs. Say if a typical Groban Mom walked into the show without an inch of understanding, she would think Pierre would spend a large chunk of the show... involved I guess? But he's not really doing much for a long time. I could see a Dove Cameron-esque actress (decently large following, musically involved) take on Natasha for a bit. That would up ticket sales (not by much, but it's something).

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 3:18pm

VintageSnarker said: "...Coulda, woulda, shoulda...

I don't think Demi Lovato's itching to do a Broadway show and the One Direction guys could not sing anything in this score. But yes, I agree that if they were only focused on stunt-casting Pierre that was a mistake. As much as I love Lucas, Anatole is a great role to stunt cast with a Brendon Urie or Adam Lambert type. It's much flashier than Pierre. 

But it doesn't matter now."

Not just much flashier--it's much flashier, has probably as much time as the center of attention, and (and this is the most important part) would not require the performer to learn any new instruments

Sigh

[HSky]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 3:48pm

Lot666 said: "schubox said: "Lot666 said: "JustAnotherNewYorker said: "Interestingly, the entrance hall changes may be more work unless that's just wallboard mounted over the existing walls...."

I wondered about that the first time I stepped into the Imperial box office lobby after having previously been there for the revival of Les Miserables. I was stunned by what they'd done to the formerly ornate decor; surely it must still be there, but covered up - right?"

It honestly looks like they just painted sheets of press board and put them on a frame in front of the existing walls"

That's what I'm thinking; I can't imagine the house would've actually let them remove the original decor!"

I'm pretty certain it's all just covered up, including a drop ceiling of sorts for grating over lights IIRC. The paint or glue smell was still slightly evident the second day of previews.

They did take out the coat room to build the backstage access, I imagine that was the only true change.
 

Updated On: 8/10/17 at 03:48 PM

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 3:49pm

Is the Scott understudy good?  I have tix during his week.  

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 3:57pm

Kelsey Bell who played Mary must've been put out to pasture like Brittain.  I asked staff where she was b/c Courtney Bassett played her slot.  They said "she was on vacation" with a eye rolling.  Guess she got the Brittain treatment too.

[jbird5]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 4:04pm

It's Gelsey Bell.  And I believe she's in Japan on a contractual commitment.

 

https://twitter.com/neilluck/status/894725239434760193

Updated On: 8/10/17 at 04:04 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 4:13pm

Stangland is very good.  He played the role exclusively at the ART.   

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 4:19pm

JayElle said: "Kelsey Bell who played Mary must've been put out to pasture like Brittain.  I asked staff where she was b/c Courtney Bassett played her slot.  They said "she was on vacation" with a eye rolling.  Guess she got the Brittain treatment too.

 

"

How is this "Brittain" treatment?   Bassett is the understudy for the role. Sometimes a vacation is just a vacation.

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 4:32pm

Bisous3 said, "There's pressure on him in a way to use this opportunity to bring attention to the racism/lack of diversity on Broadway in general."

Agree that diversity needs attention, but throwing all those diverse actors on the street with a show closing does not accomplish the goal. You don't burn down the house if you don't like the wallpaper.

Keep the show going and praise the variety of performers.  Oak had a the chance to be a hero by welcoming Mandy.  Sounds like it was an Oak v management tussle, which could make him want to walk and take the "so there attitude."

I would've preferred Oak to be Oak rather than a weeping willow on this matter.  

[schubox]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 5:06pm

I hope Bell returns, she's great 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 5:08pm

Gelsey's leave from the show was planned and expected. She's doing work on some other projects in Japan. Courtney Bassett is the first understudy for a Mary, so it makes sense that move into the role for a planned amount of time--roughly a month in this case. 

People are mistakenly thinking this is another instance of one actor being replaced by another, but it's not. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 5:52pm

JayElle said: "It's a rhetorical question, Hogan. So have you seen the show?  "

Yup, 4 times, once on Broadway. 

Re the Forbes article, it is stupid as is just about everything they write about the theatre. Yes, Kagan can sue Mandy or Oak or anyone else he wants. (Guess what? So can you.) But the lawsuit will be thrown out because there is no valid cause of action. 

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 5:57pm

JustAnotherNYorker said, "Interestingly, the entrance hall changes may be more work unless that's just wallboard mounted over the existing walls....."  

It looks like cement back board which is commonly used in bathroom remodels b/c it's waterproof unlike drywall.  It's also great on floors prior to tiling the floor and walls. It's usually screwed in.  For that matter, they could probably just finish over it.  Takes a beating better than drywall.

[JayElle]

Posted: 8/10/17 at 6:03pm

RE: Gelsey/Kelsey  

My auto correct inserted my niece's name.  Staff gave me the eye role. I was just curious where she was b/c I liked her performance. I wondered if she was forced to temporarily leave like Brittain.  

Glad to hear Scott is good. Look forward to it.  Now Nick Belton (Andrey) is saying he won't be there 9/3 b/c he's on scheduled vacation. Bummer.