The Flu: Starring on Broadway

On three occasions this month I have arrived at the theater only to exchange my tickets because the lead(s) - and often many other cast members - are out due to illness.

I am a huge Chita Rivera fan and have tried to see The Mystery of Edwin Drood twice, both times she's been out. The box office staff has been amazing. I also had tickets to Once, only to find that 5 cast members were out.

Just want to wish every who's out sick a speedy recovery.

Updated On: 1/19/13 at 02:26 PM

Yeah, I think it's a bit much to charge hundreds of dollars for people to get to an event, for their to be NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES, and expect sick people to try not to make it through the show. Like, say you bought two premium seats for Book of Mormon...

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Chita's been out? That's interesting. She must have been quite ill.

Wishing all inflicted with the flu a quick recovery!

I can't say that I'm surprised this flu has taken Chita out of the show. At her age the complications that can arise from the flu and its symptoms can be very serious, and the strains that are going around this year seem to be particularly nasty from most accounts.

A speedy recovery to Ms. Rivera, and all others who have been hit hard by the flu this season.

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Chita+Rivera/Latino+Inaugural+2013+Performance+Kennedy/9XSUTz1dE_t

I am extremely pleased to see that she's up and working. I knew of this commitment, because when I tried to exchange my tickets the box office told me that she had a scheduled vacation for this and also another event.

I thought this was gonna be a parody about the proposed movie Tina Fey said Meryl Streep was currently starring in, to explain her absence from the Golden Globes.

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Interesting thought... perhaps a part of Premium Seats can be this option - just advertised as a part of the additional expense. I think more people would be so upset spending upwards of $200+ to purchase premium seats if it can with an "illness" clause. Just a thought.

Anyone who buys a ticket has the option to past-date a ticket, it's just a question of when and how they can past-date.

I'm sure because these folks bought premium seats, the theatre is more willing to get them in easier. But note they said "best available." That doesn't mean they're going to get Premium Seats again. It always depends on availability and if they they think they can spare those tickets. (If they had Book of Mormon, I'm sure they can past-date, but in 2016, when they can spare the tickets.)

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"The hell with the money ..."

Not everybody can say that. Not everybody has the same physical and financial resources. People convince themselves they're well enough to attend can't-miss events like weddings all the time.

That wasn't exactly the point. Not at all, really.

First of all, I am not a person with means. (whatever that means) I don't have money to throw away. I worked my entire life and whatever I have was earned. I get by.

I have spent money that I could barely afford, maybe splurged on, and had to forfeit it because of situations beyond my control, and due to illness.

My point is this- if I am ill, I'd rather take care of myself than go to an event just to suffer through it because I paid for it. It's everyone's prerogative to drag themselves out of bed and suffer because they spent money, or stay in bed. We all have our preferences.

There may be wealthy people on board here, Namo, but I am not one of them. thank you.

Edited to add- Namo - I also think it's not the wisest idea to drag yourself out of a sick bed to brave the elements, stand in close contact among others, possibly spreading whatever you have, wishing you were back in bed while sweat drips down your face and other aches and pains which make you sorry you came to the event.

You may place the most importance on the fact that you spent money, but I don't.

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Updated On: 1/21/13 at 12:10 PM

Please. Of course I have empathy that your friend felt ill for the concert.

Just like I had empathy for my friend who was performing a one woman show for industry people that she had worked on for years, and was pretty sick on that very night.

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I believe the policy that CenterOrchestra is speaking of is available for most shows. They just don't make it publicly known. You have to contact the Box Office and if you go in person they give you a sheet of paper with instructions for seeing the show on another day. Ive done it a few times. They even do this at Wicked and that time all I had was a rear mezz seat so it's not a premium exclusive. I've never actually had a premium seat and done this. I didn't know it was an option either until I asked.

I'd like to make this post as additional info on this issue. As Namo said, "if you're sick, stay home."

Let's get real clear, lol. I'm only talking about leisure time activities that I spent money on, or other events in which your attendance is not mandatory. I thought that was what we were talking about.

For instance, when I was teaching, yes, I dragged myself to work no matter what. I'm conscientious about my job and I am expected to show up. I showed up when I had such bad cramps that I had to go to the hospital with stenosis of the cervix. The pain was equal to labor pains, I was told.

I showed up after staying up all night from acting in a night shoot. My responsibility was with my job, and I showed up with no sleep.

I'm just using these instances to make a point!

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