Vintage quoted me: "JayElle, I know you see a lot of theater. What are you talking about? Unless it's a show like The Color Purple or Allegiance, the audience is never that diverse, and even then the majority of the audience is white. Been to an MTC show lately?...."
That's precisely my point Vintage. There's been a social medium uprising over the Oak/Patinkin issue. I am well aware of theaters lacking diversity, which is obviously evident in the theater lines.
So for those crying racism, why aren't they heading to the theater to show their support? At least put my $ where my mouth is. I bought a ticket for Oak's last show to say goodbye and show support that sales weren't lacking..
If Oak had said no to their initial request to take time off, what then? Would the producers have closed the show and blame Oak that he short-circuited Mandy's rescue effort? The producers botched it. And if it's true there were problems within the cast, maybe Oak took this as his out. But I will say, he had guts to follow Groban because the comparison was inevitable. Right or wrong.
If nothing else, look at all the free publicity this show has gotten. I don't think it will close on Aug. 13. Maybe the producers are keeping the suspense going intentionally. Keeps it in the public eye.
