When a Principal Actor Is Out...

[dshnookie]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 6:38pm

Coming down from Boston on 12/29 to spend the day in NYC and see Xanadu (matinee) and The Little Mermaid and I wanted to know how I can find out if a principle actor is out or not. I'm familiar with the Broadway understudies site, but I believe that is mainly for actors that request days off far in advance. If a principal actor is out, is it possible to call the box office on the day of the show to find out? and if so, will they refund my ticket?

I dont believe any principal actor has been out yet for TLM, but I have read very recently that Kerry was out and Cheyenne was out due to a back injury (I may be completely wrong about all of this) so I wanted to know my options just in case. I'd really love to see the two together.

Last question: are the understudies (for Xanadu) good enough that I should still see the show even if they do provide a refund? Thanks.

Updated On: 12/19/07 at 06:38 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 6:41pm

They will (usually) not refund the ticket unless the person who's out name is above the title. Neither the Little Mermaid or Xanadu have names above the title. In my experience, the box office doesn't know who is out.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 6:42pm

They will (usually) not refund the ticket unless the person who's out name is above the title. Neither the Little Mermaid or Xanadu have names above the title. In my experience, the box office doesn't know who is out.

[myManCape]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 6:52pm

Go regardless. Plus its christmas week, I wouldn't expect anyone to be out.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 6:53pm

If a principle actor is out, is it possible to call the box office on the day of the show to find out? and if so, will they refund my ticket?

OH NOES THE SHOW IS RUINEEDD FOR YOU AND SO IS YOUR VACATION IF THER'S AN UNDERSUTDDDDYYYY

[skander2]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 7:15pm

hey now, let's keep it cordial...

Chances are, it will probably be full cast...and if it's not, I urge you to still go. It's the holidays! It's Broadway. Happiness all around.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:03pm

UH lets relax LizzieCurry, it was just a question. No panic on my end.

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:12pm

It is a PRINCIPAL's actor PRINCIPLE to perform in every show

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 9:15pm

Hey, when I saw Xanadu, Curtis Holbrook was on for Cheyenne and he was fabulous! It is a win win situation either way.

[henryt]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:29pm

Fabrizio, totally agree!

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:44pm

I went to see Xanadu this past Saturday. Cheyenne was there in all his glory

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:44pm

And it's almost impossible to call a BO. It is not a number easily obtained since the BO doesn't sell tix over the phone, only in person.

Go, enjoy. Don't worry about understudies or not. And I can't remember ever be dissappointed in an understudy's performance.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:50pm

the box office phone numbers aren't hard to find, you just google the theater and ta-da there is the phone number! Pretty amazing actually!

[dshnookie]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 10:54pm

Thanks, I am not saying I write off understudies. I have seen a few shows where they have gone on and enjoyed them just the same. All I meant was since I'm coming down from Boston, and dont live in NYC - it's a one shot thing so I'd prefer to see KB and CJ, that's all. Principal actors arguably dont always play the role better than the understudy, but when all you hear about, and all that's publicized are the principal actors - you cant help but want to see them. Thanks for the replies guys.
Updated On: 12/19/07 at 10:54 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/19/07 at 11:32pm

Many years ago I saw a complete performance of CAMELOT that Richard Burton missed and cot a complete refund for me and my friends.

[BroadwayBound86]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 12:22am

Unfortunately most of the staff working the box office have no idea. The usually don't find out until around two hours before showtime when the understudy board it posted. I wouls still see the show. It's a busy week so chances of any of them missing a performances are slim. Of course you never know with illness but still.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 12:28am

Cheyenne is Out
Norm Lewis is Out
David Hyde Pierce is Out
Raul is kinda Out
Max Von Essen and Gary Beach are Out
Let's see who else?

[blaxx]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 12:54am

Cheyenne, really?

Fierstein
O'Donnell
NP Harris

easier to list the ones who aren't!

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 12:55am

blaxx, I'm pretty sure CurtainPullDowner was kidding/being sarcastic. Especially since Cheyenne was back this past Saturday.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 12:56am

Well, if your tickets are for 12/29, you may be in luck.

Most shows have a clause stating that actors may not request time off in the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Of course, someone could always get sick, but you have an excellent chance of seeing the full cast.

And CPD...I think it would be news to most people that Norm Lewis is out...including Norm.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 12:57am

blaxx, I'm pretty sure CurtainPullDowner was kidding/being sarcastic. Especially since Cheyenne was back this past Saturday.

Different meaning of the word "out"...

Norm Lewis? Since when?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 1:02am

I thought Norm Lewis dated LaChanze back in the day before her first marriage.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 1:11am

My Bad
Norm Lewis is straight as an Arrow.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 1:19am

But is it true he used to have pierced nipples?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/20/07 at 1:26am

Well they were not pierced when he wore that Purple and Pink outfit at Broadway BARES.
the Ladies must love Him.