Roger Bart Scheduled to Return to YF- Page 2

[Princeton78]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 11:59am

We're all discussing ways to get Bart in the show for opening. I hope we all realize that the glory Bart deserves and his health are in the furthest back corners of Mel's mind.
Getting the best reviews people and getting folks in the $450 seats are all...let me say that again...all that Mel and Stro care about.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 12:23pm

"Are my suspicions coming true here. Are they fading Mr Bart out? After all he is the one cast member to get weak reviews so far. I saw it last week and agreed that, allthough he's very good i just thought he was miscast. It wont be the first time a situation like this has come up on Broadway or in London."

I doubt that this is a calculated ploy to replace BART.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 12:28pm

I hope not but as i said stranger things have been done and not so politly either.

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 2:34pm

I don't agree with Reidel's assessment that Matthew Broderick lost out on the lead in Young Frankenstein because of his "hapless" performance in the Odd Couple. I think he lost out because Mel Brooks decided it was more lucrative to his pocketbook not to have a star whose name would be above title. Since Broderick's name has been above title in every musical he has been in, that is a more realistic reason not to have cast Broderick in the role. And since Broderick seems to be doing very well these days with several movies about to come out and his Off-Broadway show, The Starry Messenger scheduled for early 2008, I don't think he really needs the gig. Mel's loss, IMO.

[Diva Doll]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 2:35pm

Playbill reports that he has been out since the Oct. 13 matinee. I was at the Oct. 13 evening performance and he was there and seemed fine, so his injury must have occurred sometime during/after that performance.

Secondly, I hope some of you realize that it would be criminal of Stro and Mel to ask Mr. Bart to be pumped full of steroids and perform for the critics. This is an all-too-common practice among performers, especially when they have vocal injuries. I'm surprised there isn't a union regulation prohibiting it.

It really could cripple him, even though he will FEEL as though he could run a marathon. Cortisone is an anti-inflamatory steroid, meaning that the inflamation that is causing his pain will subside, but the back injury remains.

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 2:40pm

I agree with you Diva. To have Roger be pumped with drugs is a big mistake and not worth the risk to his future. I hope he gets well soon!!

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 2:57pm

I actually thought Sutton could help Doctor Frankenstein along some, if needed. I know, even using your arms puts a strain on your back. If he had a motorized chair though that would solve the problem. The Dr. in Nightmare Before Christmas also was in a wheelchair. I was just thinking along the lines of trying something different for a change. It would be a major script overhaul. I know Mel could do that but at this point would he really want to?

I'm sorry but the idea sounded funny to me. It would be so unexpected.

I really doubt Mel will push Bart. It will be Bart who will push Bart. I have always felt understudies should perform Matinees but that idea still hasn't caught on much yet. Too many great singers are killing their vocal chords to keep up the pace. It would also help those up and coming Actors to get a chance at a leading /supporting role.

This is so unfortunate. It was rumored that Mel originally wanted Bart to play Igor. The Actor playing Igor has a great look and maybe he can play Dr. Frankenstein? Igor is what Bart will end up like if he doesn't take care of his back. The hobbling around may not be so much of an act. It will allow Bart to stay in the show without risking too much of a strain on his back. It's an idea to save his job. Nothing more.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 4:19pm

Sorry, but if anyone here thinks that doing this show would not be harmful for Bart when he has a herniated disc, then you don't understand the condition. Walking can be a problem when you have a herniated disc and depending on how bad the disc herniation is, any physical activity like dancing, etc. can make the injury worse.

No one's health and future career is worth pumping up with cortisone to get through a performance. As I said in another thread on this topic, Lane had the same problem in the U.K. in the Producers and he tried to work through it and ended up in really bad shape. He is fortunate that he is doing OK now. This is nothing to mess around with. If Bart is in fact coming back tonight and he is OK, good for him, but anyone who has had a career on stage understands the pressure of carrying a show on your shoulders and you can easily talk yourself into trying to do a show when you are sick, based on the premise that the show must go on. I've done it and have been sick a lot longer than I would have if I had just taken a few more days off.

These are people we are talking about...not machines. If Bart can't make it for the critics, it is an unfortunate situation, but it would not be the first time. And Brooks should have considered a better known name for a "standby" than just to shove a kid in as understudy, though I heard Matthew is doing a respectable job.

The whole situation is unfortunate. I hope Bart is going to be OK.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 4:59pm

SamIAm, you stole every word I was about to say. Thank you for that. =)

Seriously, though, the health and wellness of Bart, or any actor for that matter, is more important than, dare I say it, the well-being of a Broadway show. You can work through lots of injuries, but an injury to the back is nothing to mess around with.

Out of sheer curiosity, if there is anyone going tonight, I'm curious as to whether or not he was there and how much pain he seems to be in.

Hopefully, for his sake, he's healing fast and well.

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 9:33pm

Yes, the most important thing is that Roger is healthy. The show is the show and it will do fine and it's not worth the risk for Roger.

[ruby3]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:09pm

i talked to a cast member and she said that he won't be back until monday hm...

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:20pm

Hello all. Too bad Cheyenne Jackson is busy with another role at the moment. If the powers that be decided to find someone to take over Roger Bart's role while he heals, who is currently "available" who can do justice to the role? Just wondering... from RC in Austin, Texas...

[jo]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:25pm

He may need a long regime of physical therapy sessions and exercise and may be asked to avoid strenous activities. I can sympathize with the pain he suffers because I have some spinal nerves compression problems myself.

Maybe it may be best that a permanent replacement be considered.


.


Updated On: 10/27/07 at 10:25 PM

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:33pm

Someone posted he was still performing on Oct. 13. That is less than a month for rehabilitation. I don't know of anyone who can work that kind of miracle within that time frame. He would need at least a month's rest.

I hope he doesn't go through with it. Someone else will be able to play the part. A lot of bad luck going around though. The show has it's reputation to stand on. I agree that they really should have had a more suitable stand-by for the lead. I do believe the Man playing the part is very good but he does look young for the part. Maybe too much of a stretch for the good Doctor?

I know Broderick could handle the role but isn't he doing something else right now? Is there someone else you believe could fit the role as well? I would love for Bart to play the part but realistically, it would be unbelievable for me to imagine that he isn't racked with pain and killing himself with every move he made. I wouldn't want to be in the audience when he re-injures himself again.

I wasn't trying to be insensitive to what Bart must be going through. I just know how stubborn people are, so immediately a few solutions popped into my head. I wasn't sure how serious it was after reading the press release that announced Bart would show up for pre-views. Now I would just like to see them concentrating on a temporary replacement.

One of my Teachers had a slipped disc, had to go into tractions the whole painful recovery. She didn't have to dance or sing and was out for two months. I am so sorry for Bart because I don't want him to suffer at all but something like this just shouldn't be covered up or ignored.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:37pm

Ron Orbach should do it, since his leg injury prevented him from doing the Producers!

[mc1227]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:40pm

Yes, it would be wiser for Roger to take more time off so he doesn't re-injure himself. I don't know how strenuous this role is in terms of physical comedy, but the back is a tricky thing and any little twist or turn could do permanent damage.

As far as Broderick goes, he is filming a movie in Louisana and has committed to his friend's play at MTC in February. Plus, there's no way he is going to bail out Brooks again since Mel initially promised him this role years ago and then decided to save some $ and get actors that would work under the title. Hopefully Roger will be ok eventually and can return to the role. In the meantime, they better give the understudy all the support they can.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 10/27/07 at 10:46pm

I saw the show on October 17th and Roger Bart performed the role. My friend and I both thought he seemed incredibly disinterested and we weren't happy with his performance at all, but I now realize it must have been because he was in pain (at the time, we had no idea that he was hurt). He definitely shouldn't rush back into it if it will cause more serious injury to him; it's just not worth it. For his own sake, he should take as much time as he needs to recover. I don't know that his participation would make the critics' reception of the show any better than with someone else in the role, anyway.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 12:52am

From what I've heard, Roger's first time out was exactly a week ago, October 20th. He may be making a return on Monday.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 1:08am

So it leaves no tine to rewrite his part and make it better.
I guess he's hoping for sympathy reviews.
This is just a big mess whatever happens.
There have been many actors and actresses who have been injured during previews
They usually show up Opening night,
Mel is spritzzing right now.
The Show Must Go On!

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 4:40am

Sometimes it just sucks being right. I didn't think he would do the smart thing. How will he be able to give a great performance? Well, maybe they found that ether after all.

This just makes Mel look worse. He is the boss and should have insisted on a full recovery. The show could have gone on and Bart could have made a triumphant entrance a month from now, proving what a great guy Mel was for making sure his cast was not put at risk of any further injury.

It just makes those people over at Xandu look that much better for thinking of their leads future over the risk of the show. Here they did even better than they could have hoped for. You can bet, I will make it out to see Xandu when the tour comes out to San Francisco. Maybe even pick it up when I make it back to New York this Spring.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 8:22am

This just makes Mel look worse. He is the boss and should have insisted on a full recovery. The show could have gone on and Bart could have made a triumphant entrance a month from now, proving what a great guy Mel was for making sure his cast was not put at risk of any further injury.

Your sentiment is endearing, but being a great guy doesn't help recoup a $20,000,000 investment.

[mikem]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 8:58am

I'm a little surprised that Opening Night isn't being postponed. The average person with tickets to the show doesn't know whether the show is in previews and isn't going to care, and the extra time makes Mel look good and also gives the creative team more time to improve things.

[Anti-Romanticist]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 5:50pm

I had heard Roger Bart had hurt his back, but I didn't realize it was a herniated disc. Yikes! I've seen what happens when someone herniates a disc firsthand from when my mom herniated a disc in her upper spine, and let me say it's not pretty. She had to wear a collar to hold her neck up and take pressure off the disc and she could barely drive herself around to work and such. Even now she says she still has her arm go numb occassionally--and she herniated the disc months ago!

Bart seriously needs to lay off the performing, in my opinion! It could injure his back permanently if he doesn't try to rest. For his sake, I hope he doesn't overexert himself and I hope he gets well soon!

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 8:31pm

"Your sentiment is endearing, but being a great guy doesn't help recoup a $20,000,000 investment." wbaf


Putting an Actor up there who is suffering from a severe back injury will just be sad not funny. Some may laugh because they don't realize it isn't an act but most people can read a newspaper. If he just pulled a muscle, I would feel differently.

I'm afraid that this move makes me really want to reconsider if this is the show I really want to see. I was willing to ignore some bad songs because I liked the Movie. I thought it would be fun to see it played out on a stage and I really enjoyed Sutton Foster in The Drowsy Chaperone.

She will be in other shows. I just cannot ignore or pretend that Bart will not be suffering up there on stage. I have had several back injuries throughout my life. Now because of them, my life has become very limited compared to what I was once capable of doing. How can I support his doing something like this?

I'm sorry. I don't feel you are taking sides with that comment but it doesn't change how I feel about this move.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 10/28/07 at 10:42pm

I can see both sides (Wanna Be A Foster and Tkt2Ride). But the health and well-being of a person does, or SHOULD override an expensive investment.