Steve Kazee - in or out?

I believe he is out until further notice.

Updated On: 2/17/13 at 07:35 PM

Pretty tough to catch this guy, huh? A friend of mine was planning to see Once while in town next week as well, but specifically wanted to see Kazee. I told him "good luck", and am happy to tell him to see something else instead now.

---

Updated On: 2/17/13 at 07:48 PM

I can't tell if he's one of the unluckiest guys on earth or if half of his reasons for being out are made up.

Either way, hope he comes back soon, seems like many people want to see his performance.

---

Ugh, I got tickets for the 27th matinee, hope he's back by then. Can someone post here when he is? Do they allow exchanges if he's out?

The entire Once cast performed at 54 Below last night, so that's probably why there was a lot of understudies. Kazee was out on vocal rest and wasn't there either. Overall, a really good performance at 54 Below!

Kelly, he really isn't out all that much. He was out a few performances last year when his mom passed away, and now he's been out again first for vacation and then due to illness. He was actually sick LAST year as well, but he actually went on while he was sick. People always seem to think he's out because he says he's sick all the time on Twitter, but usually he goes on whether or not he's sick.

I'm not jumping to his defense. I was merely stating that people on these boards seem to THINK he's out because he posts about it, but the actual number of performances he ends up missing is quite low. I've never seen so many people talk about an actor being out through speculation. It's one thing when it's an actor like Audra who's actually out a ton and it has been confirmed at the theatre. But on here, people always seem to be like "Steve's out because he said he was sick on Twitter" without actually checking the board at the theatre first. That's all I'm saying. He doesn't that many performances when it comes down to it.

I'm sure he must be very ill, I can't imagine any actor, especially one who has had such an incredible experience with a show, would call out for no reason. You can appreciate that while still acknowledging that by the nature of this show and his performance being much-discussed and awarded, many people who are paying $$$$$$ to come see it (and him) want to know if they're going to, which days they can expect him to be out, etc. I don't see any of this discussion as out of line, and I doubt Kazee would take issue with people wishing for more details on his schedule in the hope that they get to see him perform.

---

Ghostlight2, you're right. That well may be the case, but in that instance I wouldn't blame Benanti or Kazee, I would find fault with the producers. I find tactics like that to be misleading and unfair, especially when it's completely reasonable for someone to have a desire to see a particular actor in a particular role and spend a sizable amount of money to do so.

I'm the biggest proponent of "take what you get and enjoy it", but I live here in the city and if I miss an actor I want to see in a show, I have the luxury of being able to return without much inconvenience. Most people who see theatre see a show once and sometimes you do inevitably have your heart set on seeing a particular person.

---

I agree completely that it makes more sense for the producers to lead people to believe that the advertised stars will be present, and I'm so fully well aware more transparency on this isn't necessarily great for business. It's just a frustrating situation to be in because it's hard to find a compromise that would make everyone happy. As much as I feel for actors who do have a tough job and a tough schedule and a simple cold can make it very hard to get through a show, I do also feel for theatre lovers and people try very hard to see a performance they so want to see and find themselves missing someone they love without much recourse.

I'll give you that my joke was a bit dark, but it really was intended to be flip, I don't have any animosity for Kazee, just frustration and bewilderment at the situation.

---

what is going on here? I don't think anyone on this thread is questioning his professionalism or passion for this show. If he's sick, he should be taking time off. Yes, I want to see the actor in the role that he won a Tony for. I just want to know if he's back so that I can plan accordingly.

"If people are paying JUST to see a certain actor, I don't really sympathize. Enjoy the understudy, enjoy the show"

Really? People aren't allowed to be fans of actors and want to see them now, that's not okay? Sorry, I've been seeing shows in New York since I was a little girl, and there are actors I've come to adore and have followed their careers over the years. There's absolutely nothing wrong with going to a show and wanting to see a specific performance. I hate this constant line about how that's somehow lesser-than or inappropriate.

I agree that expressing discontent with seeing understudies isn't exactly appropriate, but no one in this thread is trashing the understudies. I've had many wonderful experiences seeing understudies unexpectedly, but if there is someone I am a particular fan of who is out, I'm happy to see the understudy but typically will go back again at a later date to see whoever it may be that I was hoping to see. My point was most people who see shows don't have that luxury, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to attempt to choose a performance where Kazee or anyone else they wish will go on.

---

Updated On: 2/21/13 at 03:27 PM