BREAKING: Mandy Patinkin Withdraws from THE GREAT COMET

[asoftplacetoland]

I just hate that this is happening to Great Comet. I love this show so much and all the people involved. This whole situation sucks. The spirit of that show cannot be matched by any other on Broadway right now. My heart breaks for everyone. Dave created something outrageously extraordinary. Why can't more people have seen that? 

I was fine with Mandy being the new Pierre. And I totally understood the reasons behind it. I just felt that Oak should have been allowed to finish his original scheduled run (if that was even ever possible) before Mandy came in. I felt Oak was so incredible and I didn't want him to be stripped of anything or given a raw deal. Then Oak said he wouldn't be returning and my mind started to shift to think, "ok now I'm happy with whatever keeps the show afloat." And now Mandy is leaving?? 

I wish things could have been different. I wish this wonderful show would've gotten some more Tonys because they deserved that. Sad day for me. 

[all_that_jazz]

Yes all because of these special snowflakes who decided because a black person was involved it was racial and racist...attacking Mandy Patinkin personally...crying foul without knowing anything.  Cynthia Erivvo of all people should know better than to basically incite people to show up with torches for a lynching.  I wouldnt see another show with her anyway but this just shows i was right about her.  Horrible performer and horrible person.  Mandy would have been amazing but all out special freaking snowflakes have now basically shut down a show.  Congratulations your so eager to call everyone racists and behave like fools you have put everyone out of a job.  Maybe yall can think a second before you react to things you know nothing about.  

[BroadwayConcierge]

I don't even know who Rafael Casal is, but he has to be pretty smug and self-righteous to wedge himself into this in the first place. Seriously, what the hell?

I keep refreshing my Twitter expecting to see the show's closing notice. Heartbroken. This was one of my favorite shows of the season, if not ever, and I was hoping it would be a beautiful long-runner with glorious stunt casting over the years. They collectively really screwed themselves over here.

[VintageSnarker]

Kad said: "Both sides failed this show- the Kagans and their continued tonedeafness and the Twitter outrage hivemind that would rather score woke points that look at a bigger picture.

So much this. Very well put.

 

[mullein]

It's simply disingenuous to blame a potential closure solely on the Twitter crowd. The show would've folded sooner than later in any case due to inept producing. Not finding a famous replacement to Groban right away was its death sentence - then it was only a matter of delaying it.

That said, I respect Mandy a lot more for this decision. He's an artist with true integrity.

[asoftplacetoland]

GeorgeandDot said: "I'm sure Oak and Casal are real proud that an entire cast of young PoC will be unemployed.

Oak never did any campaigning or anything mean spirited. He never wanted Mandy to withdraw or for the show to close. He has been nothing but profressional about this whole thing. 

 

[Eliza2]

BroadwayConcierge said: "I don't even know who Rafael Casal is, but he has to be pretty smug and self-righteous to wedge himself into this in the first place. Seriously, what the hell?

I keep refreshing my Twitter expecting to see the show's closing notice. Heartbroken. This was one of my favorite shows of the season, if not ever, and I was hoping it would be a beautiful long-runner with glorious stunt casting over the years. They collectively really screwed themselves over here.

 

"

Same. I don't want to leave my desk at work because I'm afraid when I get home I'll open Twitter and see the closing notice. What a week.

[youwillbefound2]

If one has tickets for September, should they be concerned.....

[schubox]

youwillbefound2 said: "If one has tickets for September, should they be concerned.....

 

"

I'd be shocked if it made it past Oak's last day 

[ColorTheHours048]

This is a really sad, sad example of the money-grubbing state of Broadway producing. They'll do anything to get money in their pockets. Yes, it's wonderful this remarkable ensemble would continue to be employed, but at what cost? Paid layoffs of hardworking actors who love their job? I'm not glad Mandy withdrew because it probably means an entire cast and crew will be unemployed in two weeks, but it was unfortunately the "right" thing to do. The producers clearly misled him when they extended the offer.

[everythingtaboo]

Wow. Like I said in the other Mandy thread, I bet the advance was going to fall off a cliff come Labor Day. According to Malloy, it was actually in two weeks. But hey, I hope Cynthia Erivo and that Rafael guy can breathe easy knowing the social media outrage they sparked will definitely close one of the most diverse shows on Broadway in a matter of weeks. 

[rosemarycountess2017]

Well, now I feel bad both for Oak and Mandy. And I really wanted to see Mandy in this show. I hope to see it for the first time with any cast, but... Idk, I feel like either they are kindly asking Mandy or Oak to return, either the show is closing. Which is the worst option. 

[LxGstv]

mullein said: "It's simply disingenuous to blame a potential closure solely on the Twitter crowd. The show would've folded sooner than later in any case due to inept producing. Not finding a famous replacement to Groban right away was its death sentence - then it was only a matter of delaying it.

That said, I respect Mandy a lot more for this decision. He's an artist with true integrity.

 

"

Not the show closing, but Mandy leaving the show is clearly due to the Twitter backlash...

[youwillbefound2]

schubox said: "youwillbefound2 said: "If one has tickets for September, should they be concerned.....

 

"

I'd be shocked if it made it past Oak's last day 

 

"

Ugh. I was really looking forward to it. 

[blaxx]

qolbinau said: "This is what the ultra sensitive thoughtless 'offended' at nothing movement of 2017 does. I mean the show was probably doomed after Mandy anyway but for god's sake. People need to calm the **** down and think a little bit before letting their emotions take over. 

 

"

Really?  What's your point?  The producers aren't exactly new to business and social media. The "offended", as you call them, are not theater professionals. The producers are professionals and they completely screwed it up by being secretive and cryptic about all this, while "the offended" had to put one-and-one together by the stories of those involved.

Maybe if they were up front and honest about their actions there would have been more supporters and less of "the offended". 

 

[leighmiserables]

So, uh, I'm off to go scream into the void for all eternity. Anyone care to join me? 

[haterobics]

youwillbefound2 said: "If one has tickets for September, should they be concerned.."

Why? I've never had an issue getting a refund from Telecharge.

[schubox]

rosemarycountess2017 said: "Well, now I feel bad both for Oak and Mandy. And I really wanted to see Mandy in this show. I hope to see it for the first time with any cast, but... Idk, I feel like either they are kindly asking Mandy or Oak to return, either the show is closing. Which is the worst option. 

 

"

I would assume Mandy let Malloy/Chavkin/the producers know he was dropping out before emailing the NYT. I'm holding out a probably false hope he'll change his mind, I don't see it happening though. 

[orlikethecolorpurple]

This is on the producers and it's insane to instead blame those who march toward civil justice. A black actor mere weeks into his run was ousted for a white actor, who is a legend, sure, but with no explanation other than "well, Mandy wanted to do it!" It's short sided to have not anticipated people would be off put. The casting decision was, as we know now, made out of necessity. It's announcement made the decision seem thoughtless. Had the producers been at all adept in public relations, they would have laid out the facts and formed a joint statement that also included Oak and Mandy. They shot themselves in the foot.

It's a really sh*tty situation for a bunch of crazy talented artists. I love this show and it pains me that I may not get to see it for a second time. Best of luck to all involved. 

[thealtoslament]

leighmiserables said: "So, uh, I'm off to go scream into the void for all eternity. Anyone care to join me? 

 

"

I'm not even a Comet fan but I will gladly join you. 

[blaxx]

orlikethecolorpurple said: "This is on the producers and it's insane to instead blame those who march toward civil justice. A black actor mere weeks into his run was ousted for a white actor, who is a legend, sure, but with no explanation other than "well, Mandy wanted to do it!" It's short sided to have not anticipated people would be off put.

"

Yes!  Thank you. 

[n.holden]

I'm extremely, extremely disappointed. I fell in love with the show but never got to see it, and thought my only chance would be that A) it'd stay open long enough for me to be able to go to NY or B) that it would tour. But I don't think it's going to tour at this point. I watched the whole situation unfold with horror and although I was really sad for Oak, I think people definitely overreacted and it's tragic that the show is closing. Such a talented cast.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Yup...the fault lies solely with the decisions of the producers.  

[youwillbefound2]

haterobics said: "youwillbefound2 said: "If one has tickets for September, should they be concerned.."

Why? I've never had an issue getting a refund from Telecharge.

 

"

I know that they give you refunds but I was just looking forward to the show itself. 

 

[schubox]

leighmiserables said: "So, uh, I'm off to go scream into the void for all eternity. Anyone care to join me? 

 

"

See ya there 

[qolbinau]

I think you are right - the producers should have known the stupidity they were up against and done something about it (I suppose given they were stupid enough to cast Oak in the first place if they wanted to make a dollar, it also makes sense).