Taye Diggs- A Publicity Stunt Gone Bad

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 11:11am

Wow- I caught Mr Diggs in the role tonight and what a huge disappointment. Please bring back Norbet ASAP!

It was quite obvious that the producers did not give Taye enough time to learn the part. While the part isn't that demanding, Taye managed to forget a lot of lines, had to sing "do do do do" during "Dancing through Life" because he forgot the lyrics, and had the sing all his songs in a much lower key than the role was written. Also, having seen the show a few times, he was ALL OVER THE PLACE as far as blocking. He looked completely lost.

Originally he was suppose to start on Xmas and believe me, he could have used the extra days to rehearse. I was able to speak to some of my friends in the show afterwards and most were pissed off that the producers let someone so unprepared, no matter how famous, go on in the role. As one cast member told me, "Had a stand by or understudy gone on and performed like that tonight, they would be out of work tomorrow".

Also, one cast member said that Norbert is more than ready to come back but the producers wanted to take advantage of his abscence to do a publicity stunt with Taye and Idena over the holidays--even the show the show is already sold out. So Norbet has been sidelined just to garner some press.

Don't mess with a incredible show and lower the quality just to gain some press.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 11:17am

Whoa. I'm not surprised the producers would rush him -- they'd have him perform holding the script if it sold tix -- I'm surprised an experienced actor would leap in, unprepared. I don't get it. I would think being married to the leading lady would inspire meticulous preparation, not the opposite. Could some of this have been nerves?

[magruder]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 11:48am

The publicity generated by Taye joining his wife onstage in Wicked would be rather minimal at best. The two of them working together is hardly new news at this point. Sounds to me like he came in as a favor during Norbert's healing process, and so as not to expend the understudy during the entire period of Norbert's absence.

Taye Diggs has stage presence to spare, as evidenced by Rent, and MTC's Wild Party in particular. It sounds to me like he had a bad first night. But he is a very talented young man. Calling it "a publicity stunt gone bad" strikes me as a rather hysterical, alarmist reaction. It's not as if they put in a movie actor with no stage chops whatsoever. Unfortunate that he had a tough time of it, but I've no doubt he'll improve.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:13pm

As reported in playbill.com: "A spokesperson for the production confirmed his appearance, saying that the creative 'team decided he was ready. [It was] a really fun night.'" Yikes! Fun for whom?

[Toon]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 12:16pm

A little surprised to hear your review for word on other forums has been very positive. Sounds like you had a problem with the "famous" Taye stepping in at all. He has proven himself in the theater (long before he made a name in movies) so his casting was hardly a publicity stunt. Lighten up on the guy. I am also a little suspicious of the so called comments from the cast members. I'd be surprised if they were speaking so candidly about a fellow actor's first night. I've known people to fabricate conversations to further a point. Not sure that isn't going on here. Updated On: 12/23/03 at 12:16 PM

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:05pm

I sincerely doubt that the producers think Taye Diggs is making much of a difference in ticket sales. I also find very very hard to believe that other people in the show would be commenting negatively like that.

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:15pm

Well, Taye is a great singer and actor and if he wasnt at the peek last night give him time! Im sure he will be amazing by the time I see him!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:20pm

Ya...here is the broadway.com article.
Link

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:29pm

Broadwaylilhead wrote, "Don't mess with a incredible show and lower the quality just to gain some press."

Snicker. Snicker. Ahhahahahahahahahahaha.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:49pm

I was able to speak to some of my friends in the show afterwards and most were pissed off that the producers let someone so unprepared, no matter how famous, go on in the role.


A little perspective here. Taye Diggs is not that big a star Lilhed. I think you're taking this very personally. I'm sure he was fine. Let me break this to you gently, the average theater goer has no idea who Idina Menzel is, let alone that she's married to a *somewhat* well known, Taye Diggs, so they're not going to be rushing the box office because the lovely married couple is in the show together. I'm sure it matters to the people on this and other *theater* boards but that's about it. They're going to the show, for the *show*, not the "stars".

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:52pm

perhaps a rabid Norbert fan???? That woudl NOT be an unreasonable assumption

[actorboy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 1:57pm

Actually, lilhead is on record (many times) as saying he preferred Kristoffer Cusick in the role. I think he's probably a Cusick fan who's being clever by not mentioning him in his post.

Also, got to wonder: would his friends in the cast appreciate the fact that he's posting their "feelings" in a public forum? Some friend!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:00pm

And again I say, who on earth is Kris Cusick? As much as I get on you guys about mistaking B'way fame with actual fame, at least I know who Taye Diggs is. It must be a rabid Cusick fan, if there is such a thing.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:02pm

dagnabbit, al, i will not have you slurring the world reknowned mr. diggs' (or is it mr. menzel's in broadway circles) reputation with this kinda of scurrilous slander! everyone who's anyone knows that taye is not only a household name, but that he was robbed, repeat robbed, of an oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his work in "malibu's most wanted." for you or anyone to suggest that there is a person alive today on this earth who has not only heard of him, but who has not entertained romantic notions about him (str8, bi, animal, vegetable and/or mineral) is the very height of ill-informed rhetoric at best and the worst kind of hateful yellow journalism at the other end. i am ashamed of you, al.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:04pm

Cusack played both Marck and Angel on the RENT "Angel" tour.. I saw him in the show and he was good... he IS one of the lesser known cast members.... so I take it we can assume that the original poster slammed Diggs is a rabid RENTHEAD.......

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:06pm

"so I take it we can assume that the original poster slammed Diggs is a rabid RENTHEAD......."

But wouldn't a Renthead be partial to Diggs as well?

He is, after all, one of the Sacred Originals.

Unless it's one of those things where true 'Rentheads' are allowed to dislike Rent-people but Commoners are not. Updated On: 12/23/03 at 02:06 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:09pm

I hear rabid RENTHEADS trash a few members of the OBC...... though most of the cast is thought of as a collective god..





What about Idina and Taye as Penny and Seaweed in Hairspray????...
"But now I've tasted chocolate and I'm never going back!"

**wink wink** LOL Updated On: 12/23/03 at 02:09 PM

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:13pm

Now that was funny, Papa! Malibu's Most Wanted....LOL!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:15pm

LOL

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:19pm

Al is on the money here. These leading ladies, debated here like Bush vs.Dean, are, in the eyes of the public, about as well known as the other Democratic candidates.

The real star of WICKED is that sexy poster of the two whispering gals with come-hither looks, seemingly in cahoots. It offers something for Oz-philes, Friends of Dorothy, straight men with lesbian fantasies, lesbians, families, white and green people, and people who like big floppy hats. It promises something for everyone, including people who don't know Menzel is, who Taye is, and think Rent is something you give up when you move to the 'burbs. WICKED, the name, is the star, and will be after all those folk win/don't win awards, and get big sitcoms that last 3 episodes on WB-11.

Updated On: 12/23/03 at 02:19 PM

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:20pm

I think this can all best be summed up with Lilhead's very first post on Broadwayworld:

"I saw the show the other night without Norbert and as usual, I was a little miffed when I saw that I was going to be seeing an understudy in one of the leads so soon in the run..BUT..WOW....where the hell did they find Kristoffer Cusick? I've always been a Norbet fan and foruntately got to see Norbert in Wicked during Previews;however, his understudy is AMAZING. I hate to say it, but I actually preferred Kristoffer's interpretation of the role more than Norbert's. I heard Norbet has actually been out over a week or so... not sure what is up with that.... "

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:26pm

Or what about this famous quote from Lilhead....

"I have had the advantage of seeing both Norbert and Kristoffer do the role of Fiyero and I must say even though I'm a Norbet fan, I preferred Kristoffer Cusick in this particular role. He looks more the part of a college prince. Norbet, while amazingly talented is in his late 30s and you can tell that on stage. He doesnt look like a college kid. I just enjoyed watching Kristoffer make the role his own and not do a copy of Norbert's performance. And yes, he does look like Keanu Reeves which makes him look even more dashing on stage in the royal outfits. "

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:27pm

KC shill???

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:27pm

And of course, who could forget this one:

"First- I'm a huge Norbert fan and fortunately was able to see him do the of Fiyero prior to hurting his back. I caught the show again this week, thank god for that lottery, and caught his understudy Kristoffer Cusick. I never thought I'd say this, but I actually LIKED his performance better in this role than Norbert's. He looks more like a young college prince plus that boy can sing! I actually teared up during "As long as you're mine" with Idena. You can also tell that this guy has had some major dance training, he moves with such ease and grace that I was in awe that this guy is only an understudy"

Updated On: 12/23/03 at 02:27 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/23/03 at 2:36pm

shill

shill

shill

Shill

SHill

SHIll

SHILl

SHILL

SHILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!