WHOA! Benanti 's leaving The Violet Hour...

[thebigkrakowski]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 3:56pm

...and saying it's "creative differences."?????

Yikes!

http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=30995&CT=38

What's the REAL scoop?

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:04pm

What is UP with this woman?

I mean, who in her mind does she think she is?

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:06pm

She's a MESS.

[thebigkrakowski]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:08pm

Does anyone know what actually happened here? Is she as difficult as people say she is? Anyone have firsthand experience?

[Lorelai]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:09pm

I WAS JUST COMING ON THE BOARD TOPOST ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!

In the back of my mind, I wondered if she would really go through with the show. I just don't get this woman. She's so talented, in my opinion, but she can't seem to commit to things for some reason. Do you think it'll start to hurt her ability to get parts?
I actually was talking to someone who isn't really into Broadway about Ms. Benanti after she called out of Nine when I saw the show and her first reaction was "Maybe she has a substance abuse problem or something." That thought never even entered my mind. Who knows why she does this?
But you'd think someone who has gotten so far in her profession, especially in performing arts, would WANT to perform any chance they can. I mean, we see TV and movie actors (Sally Field, John Lithgow, Antonio Banderas, Mary Stuart Masterson, Cynthia Nixon...the list could go on and on!) coming to Broadway when they have free time because they ENJOY doing what they do. The whole thing just confuses me.

Updated On: 9/30/03 at 04:09 PM

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:19pm

Don't you have to BE creative in order to HAVE creative differences? Or how about just famous? Who the heck does she think she is? I've always said she was a VERY overrated pain in the butt.

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:35pm

I've heard such terrible stories about her. Poor thing. I wonder what her problem is.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:47pm

DID anyone read the plot description..

I'd rather watch paint peel..

This better have the best score heard on Broadway in over a decade or it will bore people to tears!

I mean why don't we all write a play:

Voiceanth needed to go to the A&P. Al dente told him to pick up toilet paper and Bwayguy2 needed condoms...Voiceanth can only pick up one item as he is late for work and left his wallet over at Namo's aprtment...which will he choose!!

HELLO! Updated On: 9/30/03 at 04:47 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:50pm

What were you doing at my apartment? Did you break in????

Glad to hear Broadwayguy has condoms. It's no reflection on him but he does seem to get around.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:53pm

You know what I was doing..Why must we keep it a secret any longer! Updated On: 9/30/03 at 04:53 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 4:58pm

Someone please check Voiceanth's purse to see if he has rufies in there??

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:02pm

That's what you saddle me with Voice? TOILET PAPER? :)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:05pm

"Glad to hear Broadwayguy has condoms. It's no reflection on him but he does seem to get around. "

Not since March and I am always safe. :)



What happened to Laura B?
They wouldn't give her above the title billing or the final bow? oops.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:08pm

I can't believe that none of you understand why she left the show. MARIO CANTONE IS IN THE CAST!! If you had to listen to that untalented loudmouth 6 days a week for 4 weeks of rehearsal wouldn't you leave??

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:09pm

I would enjoy Cantone more than Benanti.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:11pm

Isn't it possible that they did indeed have creative differences? Perhaps she just wasn't right for the role and everyone involved knew it. Instead of allowing her to feel uncomfortable in a piece and affect the outcome, don't you think it's, in a way, more humane to let her leave the production.

I have no idea what the deal is...but before we smear her name, let us remember that no one else hear knows the deal either. Or, if they are, they're keeping mum.

It's fun to speculate, but it's another thing to post assumptions about her that may be baseless and affect her career.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:15pm

VOICEANTH: AL Dente, you know what we had is over!...I was getting you toilet paper as a favor and yet, you show such..such..disresepct..

This is whay I left!

this is WHY I'm with Namo!

I'm namo's now..Namo, You hear!!

(VA turns center stage)

"Oh, my namo love him so

(takes toilet paper out of Al Dente's hand)

"He'll never know!"

Updated On: 9/30/03 at 05:15 PM

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:25pm

robbiej, your sincerity is touching...NOT

[magruder]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:27pm

I've seen The Violet Hour (not this production) and the show is very trippy and surreal. Yes, the plot is ostensibly about which manuscript Robert Sean Leonard's character is going to publish, but Greenberg has lots of tricks up his sleeve. I wouldn't dismiss it quite so cavalierly.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:31pm

Oh Duane Reade, go hire some more incompetent b*tches to screw up my propecia perscription, why don't ya!

All I know is that I've been a party to such 'creative differences' (never myself, of course...because I'm brilliant in all I do) and It's a very tough situation. What I'm saying is if it's truly because the actress and role were not right for each other to the point where it was affecting the quality of the show, and not because of supposed 'diva' behavior, then what folks are saying here is not fair and potentially damaging.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:35pm

Robbie, I'm sure I don't have to tell you this but do NOT let any of your pregnant lesbian friends so much as look at one of your Propecia tabs.

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:36pm

Namo, Why?

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 5:38pm

I KNOW!

Though I am curious as to what a 3-headed baby with fangs might look like in person.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 6:32pm

Now that was worth an "lol"!

[JO125]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 8:03pm

"This better have the best score heard on Broadway in over a decade or it will bore people to tears!"

Since when would "The Violet Hour" have a score? Has it suddenly become a musical? Voiceanth, shall I assume you were kidding? I am not sure Mario Cantone would be right for a musical Yeah, no wonder Laura would have left!

Anyway, with or without Laura Benanti, I have my tickets and am looking forward to this play, and most of the remaining cast.