next to normal

[scampsweep]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 9:32am

Anyone know of any vacations coming up in Next to Normal ? Have any of the principals taken vacation yet or are they doing non-vacation runs in the show like some performers do?

Is such a long run without a vacation common on Broadway? I know it's not really the case here in London's West End. Here, principals take scheduled vacation at regular intervals.

But on Broadway, principals seem to take less vacations than over here - or is it just my imagination? Patti did a long, uninterrupted run in Gypsy; so did Idina in Wicked, didn't she? And I know it was a few years ago, but Merman was legendary for not missing performances wasn't she? Didn't she do something crazy like 18 months in Call Me Madam without missing a single performance? Wow, that's dedication.

Have Spencer and Ripley any vacation scheduled or have they taken any already? Any info appreciated.

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 10:01am

Nothing is on broadwayunderstudies.com right now as we speak.

As a whole, the Next to Normal cast seems really dedicated. None took any sort of break [other than sickness (Alice) or injury/graduation (Jenn)].

The way Alice comes across, I doubt that she would even take a "vacation" and miss numerous days or a week of shows. Overall, its just a very professional cast. Even Broadway newcomer, Adam, has yet to miss a performance.

[mina3]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 10:54am

It's fairly uncommon for performers to schedule extended vacations (at least in the first year or so of a show's run) unless the time off is specifically written into their contracts for a commitment that they have already made. Taking vacation just to have a week off is unusual.

Performers do get some personal days, which must be approved by the show's management before they can take them. I believe the rule is that an actor must be allowed at least one paid personal day per year. Of course, they can also take sick days/unpaid leave as necessary, with approval from management.

Alice and Bobby are particularly dedicated (from what I've seen) and would be very unlikely to leave the show for anything more than a day or two unless they had some unavoidable conflict or illness/injury.