Sandy Duncan to join Finding Neverland- Page 2

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 12:48am

Based on the tweet it just seems like she was being asked to do exactly what Carolee did and she wanted to create her own character. That's not so bad. It's just unfortunate.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 12:51am

I mean, I would hope that that would be a creative conversation that would have happened during casting/rehearsals—not a handful of performances (or even one performance) into somebody's run. Seems that obviously wasn't the case here, though. On whom does the blame fall?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 1:00am

Between this, Alfie apparently joining, and their pretty horrific 46.4% gross potential, and 65% capacity last week, any chance this closes up shop for a new show to finally move in? I'm really ready for this disaster of a show to go away.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 2:38am

The show is so tourist friendly that If they can hang in there until spring I think that it  will be ok.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 2:42am

VotePeron said: "Between this, Alfie apparently joining, and their pretty horrific 46.4% gross potential, and 65% capacity last week, any chance this closes up shop for a new show to finally move in? I'm really ready for this disaster of a show to go away.

 

"

I will never understand why anyone wants a show to close based on their own personal preferences. No one is asking you or anyone to like it but to wish people out of jobs because "you are ready" is IMO just ridiculous.

 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 2:48am

And as someone who works in the theatre, the "people will lose jobs" thing has never made sense to me; another (in this case inevitably better) show will move in, with more jobs. 

 

Good for Sandy; she's too fine a performer for this garbage fire of a musical. 

Updated On: 2/17/16 at 02:48 AM

[Sunny11]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 2:49am

Also if the advance was worryingly poor  then they wouldn't (very likely) have cast Alfie Bow  it would have just closed with Yazbeck. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 3:15am

Scarywarhol said: "And as someone who works in the theatre, the "people will lose jobs" thing has never made sense to me; another (in this case inevitably better) show will move in, with more jobs. 

"

And that makes no sense to me. Another show will certainly provide more jobs and no one is saying that more jobs won't come along. But THESE people have THIS job and if they didn't want THIS job, they are free to move on to find ANOTHER job when their contracts are done. And there are investors who will make or lose money based on THIS show, not ANOTHER one.

I am more than happy to ignore shows that I don't care for...I don't need to wish them to close. There is plenty out there for everyone.

 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 3:24am

There are very few Broadway theaters. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 3:49am

Not enough theaters? Then someone needs to find more space. There are just way too many fabulous actors, singers, dancers, musicians, tech people out there -  WITHOUT jobs - even though they are worthy.

You going to guarantee everyone who has a job in a show that closes another job? People have rent, mortgages, bills..it's not all about great art.  When a show closes, it's a sad time for many - no matter how good or bad it was or how much I personally liked it or hated it. I just don't see wishing hard times on anyone for any reason.

I need to sleep...

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 4:33am

A few years ago, I didn't work in theatre for six months after a show I had spent a year with closed after a few months on Broadway. It sucked. I completely understand. This is my life. That doesn't mean it was a good show. That doesn't mean it deserved a longer run. Not everything does. 

 

What gets on Broadway matters to me because I love theatre. 

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 7:12am

I'm not sure as to what went down here, but it doesn't make sense to me that Neverland would tell Duncan to "copy" Carolee Carmello. The whole point of replacements is to first replace the previous actor, and second, to allow other actors to bring their own flares to the role. If Anthony Warlow and Terrence Mann had a different take on Frohman/Hook than Kelsey Grammer (which some of you on this board have said) then it doesn't seem realistic that they wouldn't allow Sandy Duncan to create something fresh for a smaller supporting role.

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 8:20am

KathyNYC2 said: "Not enough theaters? Then someone needs to find more space. There are just way too many fabulous actors, singers, dancers, musicians, tech people out there -  WITHOUT jobs - even though they are worthy.

 

You going to guarantee everyone who has a job in a show that closes another job? People have rent, mortgages, bills..it's not all about great art.  When a show closes, it's a sad time for many - no matter how good or bad it was or how much I personally liked it or hated it. I just don't see wishing hard times on anyone for any reason.

 

I need to sleep..."

 

Kathy, you keep dragging this up, but theater IS about art and sometimes (sadly) it's just about commerce. The central focus is almost never employment.

 

As another person who works in the theater: everyone is going to be okay. It's a tough life, but no expects it to be easy. We all have shows we want to see close even when we may have friends in them. These Neverland folks are all adults (well...not the child actors, I guess) and none of them need your protection.

 

Are you the anxious mother of a would-be actor? Do we need to sit down over tea and work this out?

 

Either way, (and in all due respect) you need to chill out with this argument. People will want shows to close. It's the way this industry works. It would be dreadful if every show stayed open. We would never get anything new. Also, the space issue is such a massive topic and I know you don't live in the New York area so I'll just ignore the massive ignorance of the real estate issues we're all facing. More theaters are coming online in due time, but even they will have turnover.

 

In summation: don't hate the player, hate the game. Or get out of the game, Kathy.

 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 8:54am

Last comment...yes I totally live in NYC and was born here and have lived here my whole life...and yes theaters that have been unused have been reinstated (didn't we just read this about the Hudson Theater?). Or theaters are dark between shows for months at a time.

I am not trying to make more of this than my original comment. I understand shows open and close...it's the nature of the business. I get it. I am sure FN will close when the FN people feel it's time or when another hopefully more profitable and "better" show is ready to move into the Lunt.

My comments were directed at "looking forward to it" because of a personal preference. It's sad when a show closes for many reasons...gloating about it not my thing. End of my comments about this.

Personally I am sorry it didn't work out with Sandy for whatever reason - it was obviously not a good fit for one or both parties...I wish everyone involved well in the future.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 9:11am

it's crazy to think by the time cats opens at the Neil Simon, it will be well over a year since its last occupant. 

[Eliza2]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 9:31am

it seems the son has deleted his Facebook post.

Latest article I read says

"The producers of Broadway's Finding Neverland have regretfully announced that the beloved stage and screen actress Sandy Duncan, who recently joined the magical production in the role of Madame Du Maurier, must take an immediate, yet temporary leave of absence from the show due to family obligations. The entire company looks forward to warmly welcoming Ms. Duncan back to Neverland as soon as she's able to return. "

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Official-Sandy-Duncan-Takes-Temporary-Leave-from-FINDING-NEVERLAND-for-Family-Obligations-20160217

[asmith0307]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 9:33am

Not necessarily it's last occupant. Maybe it's last Tony-qualifiable show. The Illusionists were there this winter

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 9:35am

This isn't related to this thread at all—but is Bloody Irish at the Simon not happening?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 9:59am

Apparently on Sunday sandy didn't know any of her part. She was cut out of circus of your mind entirely, she used cue cards and who ever was on for Laura(Courtney) had to sing sandys part at one point. Sounds like it was more than not fitting into the character.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 10:06am

Duncan is officially off of the Neverland website. There is nobody listed in the role on the cast page.

[A1st]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 10:21am

Call_me_jorge said: "Apparently on Sunday sandy didn't know any of her part. She was cut out of circus of your mind entirely, she used cue cards and who ever was on for Laura(Courtney) had to sing sandys part at one point. Sounds like it was more than not fitting into the character.

 

"

 

So what did they do during her part of "Circus of

your Mind?"

Updated On: 2/17/16 at 10:21 AM

[Eliza2]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 10:28am

she was originally supposed to start on Tuesday, but then on Monday they announced it would be delayed until Friday.

 

That would fit with these other pieces - perhaps she was struggling to learn it so they gave her a few extra days, but then it sounds like she still wasn't ready. Yikes.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 10:32am

I'm not sure, but from the post I read it made it seem like they just didn't have her part.

[phan24]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 10:39am

does anyone remember what her son's post said?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/17/16 at 10:54am

considering her sudden departure from the show; it's likely the two u/s for Mrs. du Maurier - Courtney Balan & Kristy Cates will alternate in the role until someone permanent is found.