Theater Actress on "Intervention"

[mattnyc2]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 9:42am

Did anybody catch last night's episode of "Intervention"? It featured an alcoholic woman who was in a broadway musical during the '70s or '80s. They showed clips from the musical, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

Anyone know what show she was in?

EDIT: Changed thread title since it's been proven that she wasn't on broadway.

Updated On: 4/29/08 at 09:42 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 9:56am

This is a show I never watch (these sort of people give me the heebies), but I don't know what episode YOU saw last night. According to A&E's program info for INTERVENTION, this is the episode that aired last night (Monday 4/28/):


INTERVENTION: 55 - Ben and Josh

Ben, 25, experienced a childhood filled with domestic violence, homelessness and isolation. He never got to fulfill the potential of his 170 I.Q. and found a new way to find comfort when he was in high school--a drug called DXM. Now, Ben spends his days shoplifting, panhandling, and even prostituting himself to finance his drug addiction. Desperate to help Ben, his mother arranges an intervention that's her last hope for saving his life. Next, a talented singer and the owner of his own karaoke business, 22-year-old Josh is addicted to food and weighs 550 lbs. Josh's father, Rex, has the same weight problem--at 317 lbs., he's a diabetic who's had six strokes. Now, Rex watches helplessly as Josh follows in his footsteps toward an early death. Josh's mother and two brothers hope that an intervention will be a wake-up call for the whole family to choose health.


A&E's INTERVENTION Program/Episode Schedule: http://www.aetv.com/search/schedule.do?keywords=Intervention&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

[mattnyc2]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 9:58am

Just checked the schedule on A&E's website. The episode I watched aired at 8 p.m. and the woman's name was Sylvia.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:18am

these sort of people give me the heebies

What sort of people? I watch the show regularly (I recorded last night, but haven't watched it yet) and it really features people from all walks of life who have fallen into various forms of addictions for a number of reasons or circustances. I actually find it incredibly honest and educational, not to mention important.

[matty159]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:18am

I am not sure what show it was either. I work with addicts and show snippets from that episode a lot, but have never been able to figure it out...I am figuring they are keeping it veiled to protect her last name from being divulged.

As a side note, I love Sylvia's mother. Old southern women make me smile!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:37am

Are you sure she was on Broadway or that she did theatre? 2 big differences.

Seems the name 'Sylvia' isn't her real name (they use different names on INTERVENTION) and her real name is Carla Dragoni -- with no Broadway credits. She did appear on the soaps THE DOCTORS and ALL MY CHILDREN.

[matty159]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:46am

The do say "Broadway". I'm a geek...I just checked the episode.

And thanks, Brody...they mention the soaps, but I never knew which ones they were. Well done.

[once a month]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 10:59am

During the episode, she shrieked that she was always performing for everyone, no matter what she was doing. I actually felt that she was performing during her emotional break downs, for the cameras but also for herself.

I found it amazing that no one mentioned AA at any point prior to her intervention. If that's a no-no (due to the unwanted publicity conflicting with the program's 12 traditions), I wonder why no one suggested a 12-step program. Personally, I "HID" behind several characters evolving over a thousand performances in order to hide my 'ism's' on stage, before I actively sought (and found) help through AA.

The 'staging' shown in the program looked somewhat amateurish. It's amazing, Brody (cool actually) that you were able to identify Sylvia and her lack of Broadway experience. Let's hope she stayed sober, which I think looks good since she's working for drug and alcohol counseling services.

[morosco]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:02am

I hate how the word "Broadway" get's tossed around so casually on shows like that. Was the wording "appeared in a Broadway musical" or was it "appeared on Broadway in a musical"? I can't remember but there's a big difference depending on how it's worded.

She was fascinating. Just a huge mess. But she's now been sober since 2006. Good for her.

And the woman on the episode before her...the one who was a mouthwashaholic. Oy.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:05am

mattnyc2 -- time to change the thread heading as its been confirmed our dearly beloved 'Sylvia' was never a 'Broadway' actress. An actress, yes. Just not with any Broadway credits.

Sorry.

[matty159]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:12am

Just watched the piece again (again...I am at work and have the episodes in my office)...her sister says "she had a role in a Broadway show."

Perhaps a different last name? Or do the producers need to fact check better?

[morosco]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:14am

...her sister says "she had a role in a Broadway show."

Which could mean that she had a role in a Broadway show that was produced at the "Sing for your Supper Playhouse/Steakhouse".

[morosco]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:18am

Intervention Sylvia

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:19am

Judging by the revelations on 'real' backgrounds of numerous reality show personalities (even one from another A&E reality show -- even AMERICAN IDOL), its safe to say these producers don't do any fact-checking on anything.

Heck, I was Sarah Jessica Parker's dresser during her run in ANNIE (after she replaced Sandy) back in 1995 and THAT'S because I said so.

[matty159]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:23am

I'm not debating whether she was or wasn't. Just giving the words that were spoken.

Regardless, I hope she continues to be successful in her sobriety.

[mattonstage]

Posted: 4/29/08 at 11:58am

Those photos of "the Broadway show" look like they may have been a cruise ship production to me.