till January 13th Lithgow is out on Wednesday nights and on Saturday matinees

[cserannie]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 3:11am

This was said by Greg Jbara. So maybe it's an important news for someone who wants to see Parlato (or who doesn't want).

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 7:50pm

Seing as how he is leaving in January, I cannot understnad why he is doing this. Is he that tired of DRS that he must miss these high profile performances - especially during the Christmas season ?

[BJC899]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 7:57pm

Maybe he is in rehearsal for something else?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 8:33pm

Roxy--I can't say for sure but at least my instinct and from things I've heard, I wouldn't say it's that he's tired of the show, but very tired in general. I mean, he's not a young guy and aside from hearing how tired the leads get, things have been occurring to really indicate this...He, Norbert and Sherie rarely perform at benefits or like stars in the alley concerts just b/c the characters they play make them tired...another brief change is that before Like Zis LIke Zat, John used to carry Norbert on, now Greg does. Little things that I think indicate he's not ducking out, sick of it, or being lazy, but for his physical or mental health I think he has to do this--John is very professional and I think very much enjoys performing in DRS, and I don't think he'd be doing this unless he had to.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:03pm

I called the Imperial to check on this and they said they do not have that information. According to the DRS "producers," Lithgow is in until January 15 without any caveats.

So...either Greg knows something that has not been shared yet OR the producers are lying. And I guess the 3rd option is that the information Greg gave is inaccurate.

I, for one, would be grateful if someone could substantiate this. I have done my best to confirm the info as an unknown theatergoer, but the only thing I can do is check in again with the theatre next week. I am happy to let everyone on the board know what I found out.

I have seen the show several times already and have tickets right before Lithgow leaves because I want to experience him one last time, but, naturally, my tix are for a Wednesday night! This has not been "my week," what can I say? At least T-Day is over. One hurdle overcome...thousands more to come!

[SirLiir]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:47pm

Misspennywise, you can probably call and get those tickets changed if you explain the siutation. As for what Greg says, I trust him in this regards. Wickedrentq is very right in saying how tired John has gotten. He is not missing performances because of lack of motivation or laziness at all.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 7:38pm

Lithgow is great in DRS. I am seeing the show again in December. Thank God, on a Sunday.

[mint0621]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 8:19pm

John has mentioned previously that he needs 12 full hours of sleep to have enough energy to do 8 shows a week. He is probably physically tired, not lazy or negligent.

[filmgirl325]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 9:13pm

I went to the lottery for DRS today, and won for the second time, but was expecting to not see John...and he was there!!!! And the show was fantastic as usual!

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 9:18pm

The new schedule is starting next week.

[cserannie]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 9:43pm

thanks Mamie.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 11:51pm

Thanks, all, for helping me out.

I want to make sure everyone here understands that I have no reason to doubt what Greg Jbara says (a truly nice guy) nor a reason to doubt what you guys post. (I have found the info on this message board to be more helpful and insightful than ANYTHING considered the "official" word.) I am just trying to share what information I get.

When I called the Imperial and Telecharge this afternoon, I told them that I wanted to exchange my tickets for a performance Lithgow would be in. I explained that I'd heard about the schedule change and so forth, but according to the theatre, there was no "official" word on the switch so they would not exchange my tickets. (They asked where I got the information, and I said, "Well, I got it from an online source that has never given me false information about such things before." Maybe I should have said, "I got the information from Greg Jbara." )

Oh well. I will try again tomorrow and see what they say.

There's no reason for me to go if Lithgow's not in it. I could just as well wait to see it again after Jonathan Pryce takes over, ya know? (I think Pryce will be wonderful. I just love the show, and he was truly an inspired choice for the part. I'm very curious about how he'll perform the role.)

Anyway...thanks again, everyone.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 11:57pm

Hmm that's odd Miss Pennywise. Usually if I get in touch w/ the right customer service person, if it's enough in advance that I want to exchange them, they will let me anyway despite the reason. Hopefully you're not going this week and as it is starting this upcoming week, I'm sure/hope Telecharge will receive official confirmation soon.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 12:35am

The folks at Telecharge were very nice and sympathetic (which I do not find to be the norm at Ticketmaster). They said they had to call the Imperial directly to find out about the performance switch. (Oddly, the first phone number I called was the Imperial Box Office. It forwarded to Telecharge.)

As I said, I am going to try again tomorrow and put a little friendly pressure on them and see if I can get anywhere that way. I will let everyone know how it turns out.

In the past, when things like this have happened to me, I've been very successful at working with the theatres to make exchanges, so I'm optimistic. I just wish I could have had it over and done with today.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 2:47am

i applaud john for taking care of himself...
i think the producers of broadway shows seriously need to consider a 6 show week for such demanding roles..its just not human!
its not like it hasn't been done before!
i truly hope john is in good health and just tired...i hope nothing is seriously wrong...

[SirLiir]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 2:55am

I am sure he is fine Andrew. Its just its such a demanding role for someone pushing 60. Its a shame his understudy has been receiving mixed to negative response. I love this show to death but people who see Dennis in the role may come out unhappy (even if they love Norbert).

Oh and misspennywise, I didnt mean to imply you were implying that John was being lazy etc. But you know the whole Sara Ramirez thing has people on this board overly critical lol

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 11:24am

Frankly, I am in awe of ALL Broadway performers--especially those in the "chorus"--who work ridiculously hard, do the same show 8 times a week sometimes for years, don't get paid anywhere near enough and hardly get recognized.

I completely agree that John's performance is demanding (and I think he actually turned 60 this year). And I mean no disrespect to his understudy, but I am going to see the show in December with friends who really want to see John and have never seen the show before. Plus, I've seen it 5 times, so I feel like I don't really have to see it again at all.

To see the original cast one last time--and John--was the goal. I know you can never predict what's going to happen when you sit down in the theatre and they announce that so-and-so is out for the performance about to begin in 10 seconds, but if you do know in advance and it matters to you, I think it makes sense to try to do something about it. Since asking John to perform the night I have tickets just to please me seems a tad implausible, pushy, self-centered, controlling and absurd, I thought I'd try to get my tickets exchanged.

[Broadwayluva]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 11:36am

where does it post the new schedule starting next week?

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 1:09pm

on second thought, will just post this instead of pm'ing, guess that makes more sense anyway ...

This is straight from Greg Jbara ... quote:

"I encourage Pennywise to tell the box office that she heard this information from me. It would be good for folks to know that John's contract originally ended this week. He agreed to stay on with the show as a favor to the producers and instead of asking for more money asked for a lighter performance schedule so he would have more time over the holidays to spend with family."

(unquote)

miss pennywise, you wrote:
"I know you can never predict what's going to happen when you sit down in the theatre and they announce that so-and-so is out for the performance about to begin in 10 seconds, but if you do know in advance and it matters to you, I think it makes sense to try to do something about it."

I completely agree! :)

- Barb

Updated On: 11/27/05 at 01:09 PM

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 1:56pm

Thanks for the info!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 2:24pm

Barb, You are such a doll, thanks! I got your PM and am actually ON HOLD with Telecharge right now! They still wouldn't believe me, so I politely asked them to call The Imperial. The theatre is still denying it, but Telecharge is exchanging my tix as a one-time courtesy. Whatever.

Once I'm off "hold," I will read Greg's quote. How sweet that man is! When I met him, he was just as frank and helpful to me, so I knew he was a reliable source. It's very kind of him to care so much about the show's fans.

I just hope GREG will be in the Dec 28 Wednesday matinee because that's when I'm going now!

Epilogue
Okay, so the Telecharge guy comes back and says, "The Imperial Theatre Box Office said that you called yesterday, too." (as if I'm some sort of box office stalker)

"Yes, I did," I admit unabashedly.

"Well, they are still insisting that John Lithgow is in every performance until January 15," says he, pointedly.

"Let me read you Greg Jbara's quote addressed directly to me...." which I do, thanks to Barb (JbraraFan1).

"Okay, okay," he says in that I-surrender-tone, "The people in the show know better than we do."

So FINALLY, it's done. THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN all of you DRS fans. And PLEASE thank Greg Jbara for me because he was my ace in the hole. I swear that I would even see Cats now if Greg were going to star in it.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 3:38pm

Yaay for DRS fans, Greg and new Greg fans. Really glad you get to see John. Of course I couldn't say for sure but since you're going over Christmas break week, my guess is as good as any date for the entire cast to be in, it's big tourist week. Personally i don't have the greatest opinion of John's understudy, so it's great that you get to see John one more time, though I def would recommend seeing Pryce in the role, I really think he could be fantastic!

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 11/27/05 at 5:31pm

pennywise, you are most welcome! Glad to help.

As for Greg ... from what he recently told me he should be in on Dec. 28 ... said he's working the full holiday schedule, so I'd say that, short of an "act of God," it's a very safe bet that he'll be there.