I actually saw Ari’el in the audience of TINA last week Wednesday night, which is obviously kinda strange if he is/was rehearsing for a show about to go into previews.
The public just tweeted about him no longer being part of the production.
https://twitter.com/publictheaterny/status/1450875865215156228?s=21
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
Yeah, per Instagram “a mutual decision that he will step away from the production.”
Per Twitter:
The Public Theater and Ari’el Stachel have made a mutual decision that he will step away from THE VISITOR and his role in the production. We are grateful for his artistry and participation over the past six years. We wish Ari well in his future endeavors.
Huge disappointment.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/12/14
Does anyone know if The Public still does student tickets for purchase in advance? I remember I used to go up to the box office and buy tickets for a show the next week.
Though I'll admit, from the reports here and the controversies my interest has dwindled a bit. But I'll probably still try to make the trip if tickets are accessible.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/28/15
chrishuyen said: "Does anyone know if The Public still does student tickets for purchase in advance? I remember I used to go up to the box office and buy tickets for a show the next week.
Though I'll admit, from the reports here and the controversies my interest has dwindled a bit. But I'll probably still try to make the trip if tickets are accessible. "
They do! They must be purchased in person from the box office with a student ID. But you can buy a ticket to any performance for $30. I believe all tickets are eligible, it’s one of the most generous student ticket deals out there!
Stand-by Joined: 7/29/08
Also the discount code HEARTBEAT still seems to be active in order to get $30 tickets in general.
Is Noah Galvin going to replace him?
LizzieCurry said: "Is Noah Galvin going to replace him?"
I'm mad this comment made me chuckle as much as it did.
But honestly, do we think Ahmad Maksoud will just be bumped up to lead considering he's been on since the first performance?
"Is Noah Galvin going to replace him?"
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
boy is this show turning into a mess, it had Broadway hopes but really seeing that picture fade
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. All I’ll say about this one.
Swing Joined: 10/20/21
is there any chance this show closes before opening night?
cowboytriceratops said: "is there any chance this show closes before opening night?"
Yes
cowboytriceratops said: "is there any chance this show closes before opening night?"
Considering the Public is a nonprofit with members and donors and other stakeholders, safe to assume this plays through its original run even if they don't change a footstep of staging or a line of dialog. Unless there's some REALLY weird stuff going on behind the scenes.
^was going to say the same. At non-profits like the Public, shows don’t close simply for being bad. And I don’t see how backstage drama can close a show when it’s already running, and it’s not dependent on ticket sales.
Sad about Stachel, but it sounds like he’s following his moral compass and removing himself from a toxic situation surrounding artistically unfulfilling show. Good for him!
Wow this is turning into a hot mess! I have tickets for October 30th and hope they get it together by then, but I doubt it.
What I find interesting is how before these issues arose I failed to see them. I guess since these stories are so prevalent I have gotten used to the way things are. I must say I am a bit disappointed in myself for accepting it for so long. The good thing is that now I can't unsee it.
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "boy is this show turning into a mess, it had Broadway hopes but really seeing that picture fade"
Considering this show's (lack of) quality, it's hard to believe it ever was seriously being considered for Broadway. What an embarrassing return for the Public.
Very sad to see what I'm sure was a very noble effort come so completely undone. One wonders if they should not have "reworked" the project as much as to make some more comfortable with the representation. Perhaps the so-called problem areas, while imperfect, would've been more dramatically compelling, and would've led to some worthwhile discussion. I worry that other projects down the pike will have similar issues and, as some have mentioned, feel like there's too many hands on it. There's responsible creativity, and then there's creativity by check-list.
BakerWilliams said: "Considering this show's (lack of) quality, it's hard to believe it ever was seriously being considered for Broadway. What an embarrassing return for the Public."
It has (or at least had) Broadway enhancement money behind it. The commercial producer is Aaron Harnick -- nephew of Sheldon, son of Barbara Barrie -- who has lead-produced a handful of Bway shows.
Didn't Mandy Patinkin do reading(s) of it at some point?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
This is a great lesson in why a all white creative team shouldn't be the ones telling a story about the non-white experience in America
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/16
Between the stories coming out about this and Thirteen Reasons Why, I think I'm comfortable confirming that Next to Normal was a fluke.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
BakerWilliams said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "boy is this show turning into a mess, it had Broadway hopes but really seeing that picture fade"
Considering this show's (lack of) quality, it's hard to believe it ever was seriously being considered for Broadway. What an embarrassing return for the Public."
Have you seen the show? If not, how can you judge its quality?
For what it's worth, the show has an 80 on Show-Score, with 9 positive reviews, so far. I'm seeing the show in November, but out of curiosity, I decided the watch the film last night, and now I'm more curious to see how they adapted it.
https://www.show-score.com/off-broadway-shows/the-visitor
Ahmad Maksoud taking over the role:
https://twitter.com/PublicTheaterNY/status/1451252182934769681
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