VACATION TIME-DOLLY

[EthelMae]

Just curious. I'm a Dolly fan and have seen it several times. Now the show started previews March 15th, that's about 4 months ago. I used to work at Equity but I forget the Vacation rules. After about only 4 months of performances, Actors get a week's vacation? I only bring it up because I missed Kate Baldwin last week and Gavin Creel tonight. As much as I applaud understudies and how hard they must work, the substitutions were lacking, in my opinion, in both roles. Just surprised that vacations would start so soon after performances start.

It makes me smile because I remember I had to work at Equity a whole year before I got a week's vacation!

[haterobics]

Not sure how they would need to put in a year to get a week off, since most contracts only last for one year.

But how do you know they were on vacation for the week, as opposed to being out sick? Or out for one show?

[EthelMae]

Not sure about Creel, but I caught the show twice last week and Baldwin was out both performances. I assume it was a vacation week.

[Robbie2]

Gavin this week probably David next week and Bette's off the first week in Sept!

[CT2NYC]

Per Actors' Equity:

For each six months of the Actor's employment, Actor shall be entitled to a one week vacation at Actor's option in multiples of one week increments and provided that vacations may not be taken within 12 weeks of the Official Opening performance at Point of Organization or, in the case of a touring company, at its first Place of Engagement, without the Producer's consent. If Actor chooses to take the vacation, Actor shall receive, in lieu of contractual salary, the accrued vacation pay specified in (1) above, as well as Overage participation (see Rule 70(B)(2)(e)(vii) Tiered Tours). If Actor chooses not to take the vacation, Actor shall receive, in addition to contractual salary, the accrued vacation pay specified in (1) above.

[EthelMae]

Thx, Robbie2!

Thx, CT2NYC! But I don't get it then.  "For each 6 months of the Actor's employment....",  the show started previews in March. 

[CT2NYC]

EthelMae said: "Thx, Robbie2!

Thx, CT2NYC! But I don't get it then.  "For each 6 months of the Actor's employment....",  the show started previews in March. 

I'm assuming it doesn't mean they have to complete 6 months before they can take it, just that it's granted according to the length of their contracts. They just have to wait until 12 weeks after opening night to take it.
 

[SweetLips]

Good Lord---I was in a travelling show for about 3 years[Australian equity] and the only 'holidays' we got was when travelling city to city waiting for another opening night.

Don't remember even thinking about wanting a holiday.

[dramamama611]

CT2NYC said: "EthelMae said: "Thx, Robbie2!

Thx, CT2NYC! But I don't get it then.  "For each 6 months of the Actor's employment....",  the show started previews in March. 

I'm assuming it doesn't mean they have to complete 6 months before they can take it, just that it's granted according to the length of their contracts. They just have to wait until 12 weeks after opening night to take it.
 

 

"

Exactly. You borrow it against future, promised  working. 

Sweet Lips...you need better representation! Of course, I have no idea what holiday policies are lime in general in Australia.

 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

I was at the show last night as well, and I was kind of disappointed in the u/s who played Corenelius. I had wanted to see Gavin in the show for ages, and I don't think the actor was up to par. Gavin was probably out on vacation this week, like I'm assuming Kate was last week?

[Itonlytakesajourney]

I was at the show last night as well, and I was kind of disappointed in the u/s who played Corenelius. I had wanted to see Gavin in the show for ages, and I don't think the actor was up to par. Gavin was probably out on vacation this week, like I'm assuming Kate was last week?

[EthelMae]

Itonlytakesajourney:  just read your comments about the show last night. Nice to know someone else had the same feelings about Gavin Creel being out as I. What was extra disappointing was during previews I had read that Creel was out with voice problems and his understudy went on with great acclaim. I don't have the program in front of me now but I believe there are 2 covers for each role. Last night's understudy must have been the other cover. I don't mean to put this actor down, as I said understudies work so hard covering and performing in the ensemble, but the actor last night really missed the charm, comedic skills and the voice of Mr. Creel. But as you say, the rest of the show was great. I had my niece with me and she had never seen it and she loved it!

I've been sort of living at the Shubert Theatre, having seen it 8 times already, but I don't think I'll be back this week if Creel is out all week. 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Which Cornelius understudy went on last night. I'd like to see Christian Dante White in the role.

[EthelMae]

Thx, Dottie. Mr. White was the cover that went on in previews I believe. He was not on last night. I don't know how they schedule who will go on when. So not sure if the cover from last night is on all week or if the covers share the week? Maybe somebody here knows. Again, I don't have a program here, but I believe last night's cover's first name was Nathan. Again, not to keep harping on this, the show still thrills  but as is the case for me most times, it's rare the understudy fills the shoes of the regular player. I can hear the comments now about that! -but not everyone is Shirley MacLaine or Sutton Foster!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Thanks, EthelMae. That's too bad. Sounds like you saw Nathan Madden. It might have been his first time going on.  I think Christian is on vacation this week.

[Auggie27]

This is always a useful and fair discussion, about covers for any show. I've talked to a number of people who saw the Cott and Osnes 1st covers for "Bandstand" and felt much was lacking, including meeting the vocal demands in one case.  When Osnes was out for a contractual concert in Chicago, they put on her 2nd cover for 2 of the 3 missed (both of hers are apparently leaving).  Back in the day, I saw covers for two of the three women in "Aint' Misbehavin'" and felt something was decidedly missing, good as the replacements were in general terms.  When people shame us for voicing our disappointment (invariably here or elsewhere if someone dares mentions an understudy's liabilities.)  it's odd.  We are consumers who pay a lot for these plays, and we are certainly entitled to our responses.  This vibe that we are required by some unwritten law to "appreciate" understudies and standbys is well-meaning.  And we do appreciate the challenges of their jobs.  But we are also savvy, and when someone goes on we didn't enjoy, we are justified in expressing it. 

[poisonivy2]

EthelMae said: "Just curious. I'm a Dolly fan and have seen it several times. Now the show started previews March 15th, that's about 4 months ago. I used to work at Equity but I forget the Vacation rules. After about only 4 months of performances, Actors get a week's vacation? I only bring it up because I missed Kate Baldwin last week and Gavin Creel tonight. As much as I applaud understudies and how hard they must work, the substitutions were lacking, in my opinion, in both roles. Just surprised that vacations would start so soon after performances start.

It makes me smile because I remember I had to work at Equity a whole year before I got a week's vacation!

"

Uh ... Ethel Mae ... no offense but if you've seen this show 8 times and saw it last week and this week you probably need to branch out a little. This is the summer months, a lot of singers go on vacation. Bette went on vacation for more than 2 weeks.

[EthelMae]

Poisonivy2:  no offense taken and you're probably right that I should "branch out" in my theatregoing but when I find a show I love, like Dolly, I tend to re-visit them- a lot! When I did branch out recently, I came up  dry- Groundhog Day- which I hated and Indecent, which for all the good intentions and word of mouth, I found fine but not great. So, I run back to Dolly!

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Nathan Madden was on last night! I'm sure he worked incredibly hard, but something about his voice was missing. His acting was fine, but compared to the wonderful trio of Kate, Taylor, and Beanie, I felt he was a little lacking. However it was a great show and it was well worth the money, just sad Gavin wasn't on. 

[EthelMae]

Thx, Auggie27. Really well put.

[NYadgal]

Auggie - as always, wise and thoughtful words.  

I agree with you completely.  Thank you for your eloquence and for elevating BWW discussions.   

[DottieD'Luscia]

Very well said, Auggie.

[Itonlytakesajourney]

An echoing sentiment, but well said, Auggie. People absolutely do have the right to be less than satisfied when it comes to shows.

[comets]

Itonlytakesajourney said: "An echoing sentiment, but well said, Auggie. People absolutely do have the right to be less than satisfied when it comes to shows.

 

"

I agree with this too. Especially when people are dropping for the most part at LEAST $50 on a ticket, sometimes at least $100. In the days of premium ticketing, I'm going to expect a premium experience.  

[Itonlytakesajourney]

comets said: "Itonlytakesajourney said: "An echoing sentiment, but well said, Auggie. People absolutely do have the right to be less than satisfied when it comes to shows.

 

"

I agree with this too. Especially when people are dropping for the most part at LEAST $50 on a ticket, sometimes at least $100. In the days of premium ticketing, I'm going to expect a premium experience.  

 

Right. I enjoyed the show very much (it's my current favorite Broadway show even), but if I'm paying $111/12 per ticket, then I expect a premium experience. I thought Nathan Madden was charming, he had a good voice in most songs and was a decent actor who offered some laughs. I wasn't completely happy about him though, and I have a right to appreciate their work, but not love it.

 

[Broadway Joe]

I'm seeing the show tonight for the first time after buying the tickets, geez probably some time last year. It sucks but it is what it is.