Rue Can't Perform

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:47am

So I take classes at Lyric Theater of Oklahoma. it's a big Equity theater company.

Last year they announced "Hello, Dolly!" to stat..ta da!...Rue. However, in December, she apparently informed Lyric that she was not feeling well (due to recent surgery) and didn't think she was up to doing the 8 show run of HD. She backed out and was replaced by Sally Struthers.

So..she broke a contract because she wasn't up to do 8 shows..but now she's able to 8 shows a week? I love Rue as much as anyone but this doesn't sound right.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:50am

Excuse me? Rue CAN perform. She was on Broadway a few years ago for the entire run of "The Women." I mean the woman just had surgery...forgive her for not being able to perform in such a strenuous role. She's not exactly a spring chicken...but she is fabulous and is a great performer.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:51am

Maybe she was in fact not feeling well (due to recent surgery) and wasn't in fact up to doing the 8 show run. A person who has recently had surgery would be the best one to respond to this question, though.

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:53am

Hey FOnatic..

You might try reading the message before you respond. Let me help you take your foot out of your mouth.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:54am

That's ok...it's not there.

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:54am

Yes eslgr8..that's my question.

Just two months ago apparently she couldn't do a run of 8 shows total. But now she's signed to do 8 shows a WEEK!?
Updated On: 3/17/05 at 12:54 AM

[alterego]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:55am

It is five months later, so maybe she has 'healed'.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:56am

Well, there are people here who think Christina Applegate will be able to tapdance her way through Sweet Charity by April 2nd, so, you know, everybody heals at their own pace.

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 1:00am

Notice you said RECENT SURGERY. She broke the contract because she was ill. The end of May is at least five full months after December (maybe a couple weeks more, depending on when this happened). I would say that's a good amount of healing time.
Updated On: 3/17/05 at 01:00 AM

[camthom]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 1:04am

Not to mention the fact, Morrible is onstage for maybe what 14 minutes? and most of the time she's watching someone else do something. Dolly, as I recall, does a bit more.

8 shows a week is strenuous for anyone, but when you spend most of the show backstage, I think it is a little less so.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:17am

I know you're disappointed, but cut the woman some slack. Dolly is a lead role and must carry the weight of the show. Morrible is a much smaller role and doesn't have to carry the show. Besides, why would you want Rue for Hello Dolly? She too old for the role and can't sing it.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:26am

And Dolly really shouldn't be too much over the age of 50!

[starlight2]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:28am

Lyric Theatre a "big equity theatre"! I am on the floor laughing! Now Musice Theatre of Wichita, now you'd be talkin about an amazing equity theatre for that midwest region. Anyways, people drop out for lots of reasons! Hmmmmm??!! Let me think, I have a choice, I can come to Oklahoma and rehearse for 2 weeks, do a one week show for a few thousand, OR.... go to Broadway in New York City, take a steady,important, but less demanding role, have my face and name everywhere and make a few thousand A WEEK! in the most popular show on Broadway, gee what shall I do!? But do keep taking class! Acting, Vocal and dance and someday, who knows, you too may be making a choice between 2 shows! Good Luck! Happy St. Patricks DAy!

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:41am

You're forgetting on other important factor, Rue is from Oklahoma and has always kept strong ties to the community here. Cancelling a show here is no small step for her.

But, apparently, she is recovered enough to make a commitment now to a less demanding role. Great! I hope it goes really well for her.

Updated On: 3/17/05 at 10:41 AM

[Justice]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:54am

Well, if that was a year ago, and she turned down a HUGE role, there's no reason why a year later, she can't have recuperated and take on a smaller part, that does not require as much movement.
She was also on B'way in Picnic.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 10:59am

Um...in defense of FOAnatic. His foot was not in his mouth. The initial post really made no sense! She was sick, she has healed and she can start to do 8 shows a week! What does not sound "right" about having surgery, healing and going back to work? People do it all the time!

[Bobby457]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 11:01am

Cut the lady some slack, she has been fighting breast cancer now for a while. She probably did have surgery....not to mention Chemo!

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 11:12am

Here here Bobby! I totally agree with you!

[LaCageAuxFollesFan]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 11:14am

Um, I saw RUE as Mrs. Peterson in BYE BYE BIRDIE in PITTSBURGH several years back and she was so good they added another song for her, the woman was by far the best thing about the production. Its not a favorite of mine by any means, and I figured they just threw her in there for a name, but she was damn good!

[Bobby457]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 11:16am

Her Mother Superior in Nunsense is funny as hell! That poppers scene is a HOOT!

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 11:20am

When she got on that stool and did her Shelley Winters in the Posideon Adventure, I nearly peed myself.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 11:20am

This was not a year ago. She had agreed to be in OKC in the Summer of 2005. In December she backed out because she did not feel that she would be up to doing the show. Apparently she had some question as to whether or not she would be strong enough. Since then I guess she realized that she would be sufficiently well and decided to do Wicked. Good for her...although it is a disappointment for me, as I have never seen her.
Updated On: 3/17/05 at 11:20 AM

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:16pm

Hey Starlight..get a clue. Heard from Collene Sexton, Sally Mays, Stacy Logan and a few other podunk Broadway stars who worked at that piss hole Lyric that (suprise), it's a big Equity theater. How about that.

Although to someone like you who stuck in Kansas, any barn with electritcy must be big time.

[starlight2]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 12:27pm

Hey Mr. T.! Ask the incredibly talented Ms. Stacey Logan how she was treated there on her first performance home in over 15 years (and the first she'd ever been asked to do)! And if there would ever be a return visit to that theatre? Even Kansas theatre people "hear" the truth, and not through cowbells!

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 3/17/05 at 1:12pm

I have to see Wicked with her in it!! =-D