Sara Ramirez- Riedel brouhaha — Page 3

"Regarding DM, you're right, I could legally 'spill it' as you say. However, information like that which was never made public isn't my place to 'spill' and puts my reputation on the line. I'd rather keep it to a broad statement than possibly be denied a job down the line because I couldnt keep something under wraps... "

I'm just being catty :o)

I read a long time ago that Donna Murphy was upset that she was being forced out (which is probably true knowing how the Weisslers operate) for whatever reason, but I can't recall off hand where I read it because it was when DM was about to leave. But I digress. I think Sara Ramirez is a great singer, but I just don't think there is anything that she does on that stage that warranted a Tony Award, nor do I think that this particualr score is the reason she is missing shows. It's not as if she sings these songs back-to-back...she has a good deal of time between songs. But if she needs vocal rest she really needs to leave the show.

I'm sorry,, but it seems like such a fuss over nothing! If Sara is missing shows for not quite legit reasons, she'll end up being replaced, which may or may not affect her ability to get future jobs, (this is her concern, not mine). If she has legitimate reasons for missing performances, that happens.

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Well.... I don't think its quite fair that we include Laura in the severity of missed absences that we are according to Ms. Murphy. During Laura's 6 months in NINE, she missed roughly 10 performances. An attendance record to be proud of? No. But its not in line with the 90+ of Donna Murphy. While it is my understanding Ms. Murphy had medical reasons for her absences, they have never been made public. 2 weeks before NINE went into previews, Benanti had surgery on a herniated disk in her neck, and that is a publicly known fact. I applaud her for still going forward with NINE (a BRILLIANT performance, imho). She also recently in the LA times said she was suffering from Anorexia during her time in SWING!, and that could very well acount for her absences there. Either way, it was never as severe as the recent trend we have been seeing these past two years.

Doug
a HUGE Benanti fan

As far as Riedel goes...

"At the opening of Sondheim’s Assassins—praised by most critics with guns blazing—Riedel looked offended during the show, whispering repeatedly to me, “This is sick.” Afterward, heading for the party at the China Club, he was in high spirits, insisting that he was rooting for the show to be nominated for a Tony..."

He makes me sick.

Actually, I think DHP & Michael McGrath steal the show! But Sara is great in her role....

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Ummm...SHE was the one who said that she didn't want to do all shows a week. And you think this is acceptable?

Her role is very supporting. She is not a lead. She doesn't have the material of a lead. And her "pyrotechnics" are not what makes her scenes. Anyone can and..as we will see....will replace her easily.

She has shot herself in the foot at the start of her career. Good luck.

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Everything he writes has to be taken with a grain of salt. I haven't met her, or seen the show. (Living on the other coast sucks) but I have friends who have met her, and they said that she was one of the nicest/sweetest actors they've ever met.

I think that people in the business know not to believe what Riedel says and someone looking to hire Sara in the future will talk to people who worked with her on the show for their opinions.
As far as missing shows goes, I passed the theater over the weekend, when Sara was on her scheduled vacation and her standby was actually out and so the understudy was going on. I dont' know if Rosena was sick or what, but everyone complained abaout Sara and here her standby didn't make a full week. I'm not knocking Rosena, just saying, things happen, people get sick. I wish we could just end this discussion already as I don't think people are going to change their opinions of Sara good or bad, from what is written on here. Unfortunately people seem to believe Riedel no matter how many people say how nice Sara is.

It's not really an issue of whether or not Ramirez is nice. Nor is it an issue of whether or not she is talented (which she most definitely is). The fact is she misses a lot of performances. Period. It is widely known that she misses a lot of performances. The issue is, why? And will other producers want to risk casting her, knowing that she has a less-than-stellar attendance record. For that, only time will tell.