Thora Birch Released from DRACULA; Understudy Bridges to Play Lucy- Page 2

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 2:21pm

I was wondering about that. Isn't that a microphone? Do they really need a microphone to do a play? I can understand a musical, where orchestrations have become so loud. But can't they project loud enough for an audience to hear them speak?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 3:49pm

"is that guy really going to play Dracula with that thing dangling in the middle of his forehead?"

When Glenn Close did Sunset Boulevard, she had two things dangling in the middle of her forehead. (I don't remember how many things Patti LuPone had dangling in the middle of her forehead.)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 4:08pm

"I must admit I was not familiar with the movie as you are."

The fact that the father was in DEEP THROAT was listed in the articles...

Your comment seems a little...rude.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 4:11pm

Show of hands of everyone who thinks of Dame Thora Whatshertwat when Thora Birch's name comes up? Just Goth? Okay.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 4:17pm

This sounds wrong is oh-so-many ways. Really, at 28 she needs her daddy at rehearsal.


The odd thing seems that they would fire HER because of his actions. I would think they would simply tell him he is no longer permitted inside the building- particularly if there had been no problem before.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 4:45pm

It was probably either deal with the situation in a permanent manner or face an Equity investigation.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 4:55pm

Goth,

How do you feel about DADT?

You still haven't answered.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 5:19pm

I love everything about this story. Carol Conners was totally fabulous back in the '70s, and Thora's face is the young Carol's. I love the fact that her parents were of the porno chic generation, who would have been crossover stars were it not for Jack Valenti's one-man morality crusade. I love that the kid, groomed since toddle-hood on the sitcom Day By Day, was their access to mainstream success.

And then of course the creepy John Philips/Columbia professor overtones of the current story.

I can't get enough of the details. The image of the father peeping through the window delights me.

[James885]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 7:30pm

Something seems a little weird here. If they were satisfied with her progress in rehearsals why would they fire her because of the actions of her father? As dramamama611 said, wouldn't it be simpler just to ban her father from the theater? I think there's more to the story than what we've been told...

And FindingNamo, the image of her father peering through the library window while his daughter's playing a scene is just soooo creepy!

Updated On: 12/14/10 at 07:30 PM

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 7:52pm

But wouldn't she just quit anyway if her father was banned from the theater? He is also her manager/bodyguard after all.

[chellie]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 9:26pm

If it was a part of her contract, wouldn't they have to either fire her or alter the contract? It actually seems (to me, although I'm admittedly not well-versed in contracts etc.) simpler to fire her than to try to work out something that she might or might not agree to having to do with daddy dearest.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 10:04pm

Two things: any guesses as to which actor was the object of Daddy Birch's wrath?

And following on earlier posts, since when did plays use microphones? Granted the last one I saw was THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED but I don't remember Julie White and co. wearings mics on that show.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 10:59pm

That whole peeking through the set window is very Dark Shadows creepy. Also, does anyone else think it's odd Ms. Birch is being replaced by Lucille Ball's grand-daughter?

Do we really need another Dracula onstage, especially one with a mic on his forehead and looking like a dark haired Fabio holding a mouse in his mouth?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/14/10 at 11:18pm

Actually, Birch is being replaced by Beau Bridges' daughter, who in turn is being replaced by Lucie Arnaz's daughter (which, of course, makes her Lucille Ball's granddaughter). Apparently only daughters of famous people allowed in this production.

As for the mics, they may be doing sound effects with his voice which would require him to wear one. Did any of the other actors have mics visible?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/15/10 at 12:13am

The lead guy played Tom Collins in the Luciano Pavarotti produced "Rent". Of course he needs a microphone. He thinks he's going to be singing La Vie Boheme.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 12/15/10 at 12:20am

The whole story is just way too creepy for words, and I'm not surprised the producers would fire her for her father's very questionable actions.

As for miking... well, honestly, is anyone surprised? Our culture has gotten louder and louder, to the point where I'm betting hearing aids will be the mid-century growth industry.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/15/10 at 11:04am

Oh, come ON people! Lighten up! What's wrong with a little bit of living your sexuality through your own daughter?


"Who knows how fair these particular characterizations are, but one thing is for sure: Creepy stage dads are having a moment -- from Jessica Simpson's father remarking on the singer's "double D's" to Billy Ray's oddly intimate nuzzling with daughter Miley Cyrus to Amy Winehouse's dad complimenting her "fantastic" breasts to Hulk Hogan slathering up his little princess in suntan oil (and dating her doppelganger). Just as with the more familiar archetype of the scary stage mom, creepy stage dads attempt to build their own fortunes and fame on top of their children; unlike the scary stage mom, creepy stage dads seem to also want to be on top of their children, literally."

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 12/15/10 at 3:58pm

@SeanMartin - true. That'll be the new thing: hearing aid chic.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/15/10 at 5:44pm

I've heard some jaw-dropping things about this production and suggest those wanting to see Spidey for flop bragging rights make a beeline to Dracula.