Sweet Charity w/o Christina Applegate last night — Page 4

Would I be disappointed that I wasn't seeing the "star" ? Sure, but I would not ask for my money back. You are paying for the entire show not one person's performance. I think it is tacky and shows a lack of appreciation for live theatre. Just my opinion.

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Actually Jackman did have an understudy (Kevin Spirtas) in case he ever was sick or injured during a performance and couldn't continue with the show -- thankfully that never happened so Spirtas never went on. It's just that when Jackman needed time off, he arranged the dates with the producers in advance and they decided to simply cancel those shows altogether rather than deal with all the of refunds that inevitably would have occurred with an understudy going on for him.

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Updated On: 7/8/05 at 03:24 PM

I am disappointed when who we went to see the show for isn't on (like Raul in "Taboo" - the only reason we went to see it a second, then third time), but I certainly wouldn't hiss and boo!!! I just come back and see it again, hoping he (or she) will be on that night. I don't ask for my money back since what else would I do? I'm there already. And yes, sometimes the understudy is great!

I don't go to shows to see a "star." I go to enjoy the type of performers that made Broadway famous.......it's unfamous, down in the trenches, do it cause you love it but don't pay us a whole lot performers.

The performers weren't "famous" and if they were, they were just famous to us theatregoings and fellow actors but not the masses. I guarantee that a non theatre person would have no clue who the hell Sutton Fuster is.

The Broadway performers were just ridiculously talented people that worked their asses off. But now Broadway feels the need to sell out and does so constantly.

So, now we get aging tv star has-beens (i.e. Nell Carter in Annie...how lame was that..so inappropriate, and Eric Estrada. WTF??)

Or theatre wanna-be's with zero training (i.e. American Idol cast-offs who that think they can sing but can't...like Amy Adams doing my "Joseph" tour.) uh...ok....

Do you know how many singers I know from my other tours and shows that can kick the sh*t out of the Narrator?

Instead they choose someone linked to the American Idol name who might or might not be able to pull it off 8 shows a week.

Personally, I cheer for the understudy as they are working so hard to impress you and win you over plus you get to watch a new talent.

If a "star" was out, I would never ask for my money back or make my disappointment known. I would keep it to myself.

But then again I would never go to a show just to see one person as they are all stars in my book.

If I want to see Hugh Jackman, I will pay my $9.50 and watch him where he belongs...on the big screen.

Updated On: 7/8/05 at 03:53 PM

true..

***shying away***

**Embarrassed and stepping off of the soapbox***

For the love of God take the mic away from me NOW!

I beg to differ with the original poster. Charlotte is amazing in the role and she's got great legs!

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I fall asleep and look what I miss!

Okay. Here's my deal with this thread. You are entitled you your opinion. I am entitled to mine. They are opinions. The negative opinion will always face more criticism around here than the postive one. Period.

My opinions are based on a set of standards I have going into a play or musical. Standards based on seeing the best doing what they do. I personally think that what LaManna and Applegate are doing on stage is mediocre, at best. I am sorry if it comes off as bashing, but to me, it is just a passionate argument.

I think Sweet Charity is one of the worst productions I have seen on Broadway. Period. So my passion, or bashing as you call it, comes from a place of confusion as to why anyone could like this show. REally I don't get it.

I personally LOVE Helen Gallagher, and Gwen Verdon. I frequently see posts on this boards saying Verdon was not a singer, which is not true at all. She could sell a song in a way few people can do. And if you listen to her on the Sweet Charity cast recording you will find her in the best voice of her career. My frustration really comes from the bashing of the original, saying Applegate doesn't need to be a good singer because Verdon wasn't. Did Verdon have to talk half the show? Did Verdon have to do abbreviated choreography?

The bashing of vetran D'Amboise is also unfair. She is every bit as capable of filling those gold boots as Applegate, if not more.

I personally think there would be much more negativity surrounding Applegate if she didn't break her foot. I think a lot of your opinions are clouded by sympathy for Applegate, and that people are turning this into "the show must go on" story that it really isn't.

I am sorry if you feel bashed, but if you state an opinion that I disagree with, be prepared to defend it and be challenged. You challenged me on my opinion, so why are you above being challenged back?

I think too often, people bash the original in favor of the mediocre revival that wasn't even close to the original. Again, just my opinion.

Great points bobbybuddy!

I am in total agreement with you regarding posters bashing d'Amboise simply because she is not "Applegate" and they came to see a "star". It's very wrong. And, as I said above, I have no problem whatsoever with your dislike of the show. Hell, I even AGREE with a lot of what you say about the poor choreography!

I, for one, will not be bashing the original, but neither will I be comparing Applegate to Verdon. It just can't, and shouldn't be done. Verdon was an dancing and singing personality all her own that has not, and cannot be matched. To dismiss Appelgate's performance as a whole simply because she is "no Verdon", is not right. D'Amboise is "no Verdon" either. Hell, NO ONE IS, we are all aware of that! There are many audience members however, who are actually enjoying this production, and to constantly see belittling, bashing comments toward the show and Applegate is just as frustrating for me as it is for you to read posts praising the show.

Also, I agree with you on another point; there are some posts out there who are indeed giving the show the "sympathy, look she's dancing with a broken foot!" support. That, I can definitely see as aggravating to you and many others as well!

Thanks for responding to the posts, at any rate! Hope you had a nice nap! :)

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This is about the dear and wonderful Natascia Diaz. I know for a fact that she was NOT let go because of backstage things. She and Solange were let go due to a choice made by Mr. Bobbie, of which they were not informed. I think it is horrible the way we are throwing things around about these two people that are not true. They do read this board and have been very hurt in the past by the untrue things that were said. So, sorry this got to be long, they were not fired for 'backstage antics' but, in my opinion, they were fired because they out shone the star in parts that had been cut back so they could not out shine the star but did any way. If you still have questions PM me.

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I saw both Applegate and d'Amboise.

Yers, d'Amboise is a finer dancer. But there is a reason she has never 'broken out' into stardom the way understudy Shirley MacLaine did in the original PAJAMA GAME. She doesn't twinkle.

Applegate twinkles.

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Updated On: 7/8/05 at 08:59 PM

Since I didn't get to see her. How was that "If There Were More People Like You" song?? Was it mainly her song?? What was it like?

BobbyBubby -- have you gotten to "Jolly Theatrical Season" yet? Love that number.