Riedel: Groff turns down HAIR because of the $$ (and some unrelated PAL JOEY stuff, too)- Page 2

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 4:31pm

I agree that the whole "work for scale in the spirit of the 60's" thing is total B.S. What they really meant was, "We can't even afford to pay the theatre rental costs right now so if we're going to get this show up we are humbly asking everyone to make a sacrifice." That at least would have been honest.

That said, Groff was smart to accept whatever TV/film deals he has in the works instead of waiting and hoping that Hair will get its financing together. I mean let's be honest--it's quite possible the production will not happen if they really are still short four million dollars.

[hpeabody930]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 4:48pm

Guys, guys, guys.
That is NOT the reason Groff turned the show down. He turned it down for several reasons: he is following Lea Michele's lead and going to LA to do some TV and film work, and in the past month has been involved with several industry readings, and is really just keeping his options open at this point.
Reidel is full of sh*t.
Do you really think that The Public would ask him to take scale pay "in the spirit of the 60's"? Come on.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 4:49pm

the producers have every right to ask people to work for scale. it is a large show with a large cast, times are tough, and lots of people have already seen it for free, in a cooler setting.

and groff has every right to say "no thanks".

that's just how it works. any drama that piles up on top of it is just that--drama. of course they will find someone else for the role. it's a business, and everyone has to look out for their own bottom line.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 9:35pm

Two words:

Klondike. Bar.

Four more words:

One. Time. Only. Payment.

Trust me!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 11:08pm

What would scale be exactly? Equity minimum?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 12/17/08 at 11:38pm

Wow, is it really necessary to believe every bit of gossip available? It seems that people here are wanting to villanize an actor based on a rumor that he turned down a role because he wasn't offered enough money for a role. Even if it is the truth, who the hell cares, an why?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 12:59am

Are you saying Scary Spice, THE Scary Spice, worked for scale?

My night is ruined.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 6:21am

Personally, I'm sorry he won't be in Hair...I really enjoyed him. But as a few of us have said:

HE'S entitled, just as entitled as the producers are to offer it. If that's all they want to afford, then that's it.

You can be GUARANTEED...that every one of the Spring Awakening kids OBC AND replacements started at SCALE...and happily so. Groff and Michelle negotiated together for their new contract (last 6 months they were there) POSSIBLE exceptions were probably given to Bashoff (whom I know negotiated new contracts once his first 6 month contract was up; and had to fight HARD to keep that money for the tour) and Parrish...who they were billing the hell out of with his Weeds connections. (like that many people really knew who he was)

Meaning? They will/can find plenty of young actors to work for scale. Happily.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:22am

the vast majority of people slamming someone for not taking scale have never worked for scale much less had the opportunity to make more than scale. buncha know-nothing teens posting from mommy and daddy's basement.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:38am

Scale! We don't know what it is, or how much money he makes, or what happened to the ReNT cast and we've never earned a living in our lives, but damn it we are OUTRAGED over this whole thing!

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:57am

scale (which, yes, is the same as equity minimum) is currently $1518 a week.

[AvenueQPat]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 12:02pm

If the article is completely true - and who knows about that for sure - then as long as Groff doesn't need $1,500 a week right now good for him. If the thinks that he can get more doing something somewhere else, I wish him the best of luck.

Right now, I would be happy to work for (about) $175 a performance - especially with the economy - who knows when the next role will come up that he would be the right type for.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 1:17pm

Maybe .. just maybe ... he just didn't want to do it. Maybe having done it in the park was enough. Career management and career self-sabotage are very different things (exhibit A: The Piven Exit). This kid is relatively hot in a business that gives you too little time to make a mark. Having been associated with one show celebrating the woes of youth and counter-culture, maybe he felt it important to move on to something else. Or maybe ... as I said ... he just didn't want to do it right now. These are desperate times, but he just turned down a job; he didn't bail, and mostly, he owes no one an answer as to why.

[fbueller]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 4:08pm

If looking for actors who will work for scale, why don't the producers cast this show with a reality TV program??!!

Format the show to be like 'The Lawrence Welk Show' from the 60s.

[OilInTheBurner]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 5:33pm

AGREED. That was a pretty nieve statement. I've played many lead and many more ensemble roles and I've found my ensemble more much more difficult. Especially in the rehearsal process. Trying to navigate all the new things the director may thow at your 'character' to do.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/18/08 at 10:03pm

Isn't he making a good bit less in "Prayer for My Enemy" or maybe not?