I imagine their silence is partly because Pasquale isnt really the big name of the show, so they might figure it doesnt really matter. Anyone who happens to be a big fan of his can exchange if they want, but Im guessing most people are there to see Washington (or even Jordan, for that matter).
As for Pasquales reason for being out, I obviously dont know either. But I will say I saw him sporting a neck-brace while attending a show with Phillipa this past summer. Neck injuries can be really nasty and long-lasting, so its possible that its flaring up again. Especially since his role in this show requires one very physical scene.
This is pure speculation, of course. I dont want to start any rumors - Im just throwing that out there as an educated guess.
Swing Joined: 9/17/14
From his Twitter account a few hours ago in response to a fan's inquiry:
"An unplanned health issue I'm afraid. Working hard to get back. Actors are people too. Hoping to be back very soon."
Chorus Member Joined: 8/30/17
The man working at the Box Office said that his back gave out.
Stand-by Joined: 5/5/17
He was still out as of Wednesday 1/9. (Given that the sidewalk outside the theatre was littered in understudy slips)
Back pain is rough. It can take a long time to heal. And even then, it can recur whenever it feels like it. Theres only about two more weeks of the run. It could be he doesnt make it back to finish the run. Its not like he can do the whole show sitting, especially that one scene toward the end.
As I said earlier, I love Steve, thought he was great in the play, and am truly sorry to hear he has been ill. Sending positive thoughts his way for speedy and full recovery.
Swing Joined: 12/20/18
ameliewormwood said: "The man working at the Box Office said that his back gave out."
When I saw it in previews, we were told at the stage door that he wouldn't be coming out due to physical therapy. Sorry to hear that it is still an issue, and I hope he's able to get back before closing!
Swing Joined: 9/17/14
Saw the matinee yesterday and he is still out. Understudy was excellent, but think Steven might be more believable as someone Kerry Washington's character would fall for.
Understudy Joined: 5/31/17
Was disappointed because I was a big Rescue Me fan, went last night and he wasn't there as well
It closes in 11 days, it doesn't seem like he will make it back. They needed to handle this better and announce it for people who went to the show looking forward to seeing Steven. The actor or the production usually are more open about absences.
Updated On: 1/16/19 at 04:13 AMBroadway Legend Joined: 4/1/08
It sounds as though his understudy will have done more performances than Steven by the time the play closes, if he hasn't already. I hope he is able to recuperate.
Just curious, whether you find the performance worthy or not: would a Tony nominator be allowed to nominate Brian Avers?
The Other One said: "It sounds as though his understudy will have done more performances than Steven by the time the play closes, if he hasn't already. I hope he is able to recuperate.
Just curious, whether you find the performance worthy or not: would a Tony nominator be allowed to nominate Brian Avers?"
As he was listed as an understudy on the opening night credits , probably not unless it worthy enough to cause a major impression. They could get recognition from another body though (I.e Judy Kaye in the original ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY got a Theatre World Award)
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
was out tonight as well, box office said he may well be out for the rest of the run.
Swing Joined: 11/14/11
According to the Tony Award rules, the person who is in the role on opening night is the one eligible for the Tony Award. So, despite the fact that Pasquale is still out (I saw the show on Jan 16, 2019 and Brian Avers is still in - and the box office had no info as to if Pasquale would return) and Avers will have been in for much of the run, he isn't able to be nominated. Also, nominators are invited to see the show during press previews, and hopefully all of them saw the show before Pasquale was sidelined, otherwise they'll have to recuse themselves as nominators for the entire season. Nominators are required to see all of the eligible elements of the original production and if they missed Pasquale for whatever reason, they're not able to attend the nominating meeting.
As others have mentioned, since Pasquale is above the title, if you have tickets and want your money back, they will give you a refund at the box office.
It just sucks for Jordan who was very sick the first week of January and was forced to go on due to Ayers having to cover for Pasquale. Considering the show's short run, I guess it didn't make sense to bring another u/s for Jordan.
They did actually bring in another cast member. I can't find my playbill at the moment, but I know there was not only an understudy slip but a "this person has joined the cast" bio slip in there when I saw it a week ago.
Updated: Jerome Preston Bates joined the cast as an understudy for Jeremy Jordan.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/17
loliveve said: "They did actually bring in another cast member. I can't find my playbill at the moment, but I know there was not only an understudy slip but a "this person has joined the cast" bio slip in there when I saw it a week ago.
Updated: Jerome Preston Bates joined the cast as an understudy for Jeremy Jordan."
He was already Eugene Lee's understudy, so he's doubling up now.
Understudy Joined: 5/27/18
Fordham2015 said: "loliveve said: "They did actually bring in another cast member. I can't find my playbill at the moment, but I know there was not only an understudy slip but a "this person has joined the cast" bio slip in there when I saw it a week ago.
Updated: Jerome Preston Bates joined the cast as an understudy for Jeremy Jordan."
He was already Eugene Lee's understudy, so he's doubling up now."
When I saw it Saturday night, there was a "Welcomes to the Company" slip saying Luke Smith is understudy for Officer Paul Larkin and Scott.
Interesting. When I saw American Son on January 5th, my playbill insert said Luke Smith had joined the company as understudy for the roles of Officer Larkin and Scott.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
Two thoughts:
1. I can think of at least one time when the replacement received the Tony Nomination. Dean Jones opened in Company in 1970, and left (as I recall) a couple of months later. Larry Kert replaced him and was in the role for a long time when the Tony noms came out. He was nominated for his performance, losing to Hal Linden in The Rothschilds. I seem to recall that win being a big upset at the time, but I always thought that it want to the right person.
I never understood why Kert was deemed eligible -- Jones is even on the original cast recording -- but always assumed that he benefited from being in the role for so long before the Tony noms. The show was a huge critical success, many other performers were nominated (silly that the central role would be disqualified on a technicality), and Tony voters had (I think) 8 or 9 months to see the show between his arrival and the Tonys. (As I recall, it opened late in the prior season that it was open almost a year when the Tony noms came out).
2. Hardly worth the time even thinking about it, since there is no humanly way that he or Pasquale would EVER get nominated for a Tony in this year. We already have a number of people who have gotten reviews ranging from very good to great (not the case with Pasquale, who got mixed reviews): Jeff Daniels, Paddy Considine, Brian Cranston, Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Urie, Ethan Hawke, the lead in Choir Boy (can't remember his name right this second), and still have Tracy Letts, Nathan Lane, John Lithgow, Adam Driver, Bertie Carvel and Johnny Lee Miller to come. It is a moot point but, IMO, would NEVER happen. First of all, Tony voters would all have to see the play again, which ain't gonna happen.
Luke Smith played the role(Officer Paul Larkin) at Barrington Stages in 2016, so it makes sense that they brought someone in who's played the role before.
Steve returned to the show tonight in great form !
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/14
huzzah! that is great news as im seeing the show saturday afternoon!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/3/06
how anyone could sit through this three times is beyond me.
diisappionted I missed Pasquale. his understudy was acting out the idea of the role, and not living in the moment.
but this play is bad ya'll. could not sit through it again
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