Riedel whines about Nate Lane's 'tude.- Page 2

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 11:52am

Nathan has been in the Business a long time. He can't have his off days like all other human beings?

I have yet to meet him but everyone I know who has met him say that he's a little shy but he couldn't be nicer!

I don't think he was miscast. And did he not get great reviews when he was in it before?

[queenbee2]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:46pm

Riedel: Why does the very mention of his name always give me the creeps. I would love to see this man get up on a Broadway stage, or any stage, for that matter, and try to perform.

Hurting other people's feelings for a living? So sad.

-QB

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 12:20am

Riedel may be peeing in his pants waiting for Lane's Lady Macbeth, but I'm dying for him to finally bow out of this evil Mary Sunshine.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 12:36am

I really have no respect for Riedel. He's like an Addison DeWitt devoid of wit or love of the theatre. And besides, he more or less singlehandedly closed Taboo with his trash talk.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 12:44am

Wait. Isn't Riedel the one who co-hosts Theatre Talk on 13?

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 12:53am

Very interesting article and opinion. It just goes to show how in the world of Broadway, nothing is ever certain. The most brilliant performer or choreographer can do a complete turn-around into crap, yet still keep the reputation that might never be regained if the actor or director were in Hollywood.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 2:07am

"And besides, he more or less singlehandedly closed Taboo with his trash talk."

I don't think so.

[McFrenzied]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:29am

Yupper, Reidel hosts Theatre Talk on NY1. That's the show where he "pretends" to be a critic. Yeah, he's sleezy, but he's gosh durn entertaining too. I find his column really entertaining.
I can believe that Nathan has a temper and can be moody. The one time I saw him in person was at a bar after a show. I went up and told him how much I enjoyed his work and he just looked at me with a bored look on his face and didn't even respond! I found it terribly rude, mumbled "congratulations" and left. To be fair, though, this was during his "off" time, and he was also with someone else.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:06am

Well... I just have this to say about Nathan Lane.

A number of years ago, my roommate was working for Playwright's Horizons. Lane was set to do a benefit for Neil Simon. At the time, Lane was performing in "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," but this particular night, my friend was asked to get Lane from the backstage of the Neil Simon to the Richard Rodgers, without stopping for a drink in between.

My friend failed.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:14am

When are people going to stop being so sensitive and just leave Michael Riedel alone? The man is just doing his job, and he happens to be extremely good at it. Yes he is a gossip columnist when it comes to the Post, and he has never posed as anything other than that. He is also a great proponent of theatre in general and is more knowlegeable on the subject than almost anyone in journalism. He digs up and reports the dirt because that's what the people want to hear, and that's what the Post is paying him to do.

Nobody is obligated to give him any information, and still many choose to- knowing full well how it will manifest itself. You people make him out to be the devil, but if he was really such a poison to the industry nobody would ever tell him anything. They continue to do so because he is, above all, an intelligent and influential voice that reports his opinions and interpretations based on what he is told- making no claims of being anything more than gossip. Why is this man so widely hated here for his presence in the gossip world, when hardly anyone seems to have a problem with the overt gossip stylings of Michael Musto? Is the theatre somehow above gossip? If so, then this site should be shut down immediately.

It seems that a lot of people here like to trash Riedel because he makes a living doing exactly that which any of us would do if we had the access and audience that he does. Gossip is, by nature, of a negative tone. It's easy for people to get all upset when a Riedel column reflects poorly upon a star or show they happen to like, but what the hell does that accomplish? You have the choice to either turn the page, decide not to believe the gossip, or just take it with the grain of salt you should. By villifying the columnist, you are only giving him more power over you. And that, I think, has helped him become so successful. By playing to the public's emotions, his words only become more legitimate due to the reactions that are elicited.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:20am

Matt, I completely agree.

While Riedel is no Frank Rich, he is what he is. And I, for one, appreciate what he does.

Here's the thing: Yes, Riedel is opinionated. But he's also smart. He never claims to be something that he is not. And, frankly, he's often right.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:05am

Riedel didn't close Taboo.

According the the Producer, it was Boy George that did it in.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:13am

" I went up and told him how much I enjoyed his work and he just looked at me with a bored look on his face and didn't even respond! I found it terribly rude, mumbled "congratulations" and left. To be fair, though, this was during his "off" time, and he was also with someone else."

That doesn't make that kind of rudeness acceptable between two human beings. He's chosen a life in the public eye - might suck for his friends who are out with him, but it was his choice and he has to deal with it. I'm sure if you ran into a work associate/client/customer on your "off time", you wouldn't look at them with a bored look on your face and no response.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 10:13 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:26am

The couple sitting next to me when I saw The Frogs ran sat next to him at the pizza place around the corner. When they went up to him to say "hey, we're seeing your show," he was, apparently, extremely gracious.

I personally have never had a bad experience with him. I even got him to pose for a photograph. Go figure.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:45am

Thank you, Yankeefan007 I've heard about many and personally only expierienced good things when meeting Nathan. He is a human being with a tough job. People's moods change as things in their life change. He gets tired, annoyed and upset just like the rest of us can.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 12:44pm

"Riedel didn't close Taboo.

According the the Producer, it was Boy George that did it in."

Boy George said in an interview "Rosie O'Donnell closed Taboo." then he went on to complain and concluded by saying something along the lines of "I hate that barnyard lesbian bitch!"

[Magdalene]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 1:26pm

Reidel can go suck lemons!

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 1:30pm

I saw Butley last evening and was very impressed with Nathan Lane's performance. In fact, I have loved every single show starring Mr Lane. His best role was in Lisbon Traviata. I also adored him in the Producers and I loved his schtick in Frogs.
(Don't kill me, I adored Nathan's part in Frogs)
I have never met Mr Lane, but I have always loved his performance as an actor.
May the spotlight always be bright on the one and only Nathan Lane. Love him!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 1:31pm

That's certainly relevant.

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 2:01pm

I don't care for Michael Riedel, or any gossip columnist for that matter. Let me say that at the start. They live to start trouble.

However, I'd like to point out that the way an actor treats a fan, and the way they act privately or with their colleagues, can be two different animals altogether. I've heard of several actors who are considered sweethearts by the public and are absolutely hated by the folks backstage. The one time I met Nathan Lane he seemed to be a perfectly nice, quiet man. But I met him in the context of being a fan, and it doesn't mean he's always that way.

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 2:03pm

Ridel is great. He says what he thinks. Half these actors are the biggest a-holes when you meet them in real life. I've met plenty of them and I dont mean at the stage door. There are a lot of nice ones but a lot more bitchy self centered ones. I love when people get all defensive of people who they don't know.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 2:04pm

It's very true, Marona. That's why I get an attitude around here when posters meet their faves at a stage door and think they must be the greatest people ever because they're nice to their fans.