Norbert Leo Butz Status Update
Norbert Leo Butz Status Update
#0Norbert Leo Butz Status Update
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:23am
Okay I have learned what has happened.
Norbert has a rupture on his vocal chord and developed a node. He performed at tonight's show for his daughter's school group and from what people have told me, his voice sounded fine. He is however on strict vocal silence as he mouthed to me after the show.
Now that we know the dilemnia, can anyone enlightened on these types of inflictions explain in more detail how this occured, what treatment options are being explored, and how long he will be out of comission? Thanks and let's all hope Norbert recovers soon.
Updated On: 1/7/06 at 12:23 AM
gavrochegirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
#1re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:27amOh my gosh, I hope he gets better soon! Thank you for the update, Ryan.
What the puck?!
#2re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:33am
It's my job after all. Of course, much thanks to Norbert, Greg Jbara, and Laura for the info. I am grealty concerned but hopefully it will not be too debilatating for him. Seeing as he performed tonight (and well as everyone attested to), I can at least see him performing at John's last. Otherwise...DRS is going to be a mess. (And I know his U/Ses are great but keep in mind Norbert has been rehearsing with Johnathan Pyrce for some time and if they do not open together, there is REALLY going to be a difference.)
Updated On: 1/7/06 at 12:33 AM
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#3re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:42am
Poor Norbert. I have way too much time on my hands, so did some searching around the net...I found this from a website for a singer, and it seems his situation is similar to Norbert's, he also gives info on nodes in general and such:
"I have developed marks on my vocal chords that are the early signs of something called a node. In short, a node is a callous on the vocal chords that is cause from excessive friction from overuse or misuse. Once a node has hardened, it almost always requires surgery to remove. Needless to say, a paper thin muscle membrane like a vocal chord is highly affected by any degree of change to its size or shape. Many folks who have this surgery can never sing again, whereas the lucky ones who regain their voices will attest to upwards of a year of no singing and limited talking, including a lengthy rehabilitation period to rebuild their voices. What I have is still in what's termed a "fleshy" state, meaning, with the proper drugs (steroids to dry up the area, allegra to stop the sinusitis irritation from the allergies, and prevacid to stop the acid in my stomach from leaking into my throat at night) and a healthy period of rest, I should make a full recovery. Hence, the cancellations. "
Hopefully, Norbert's situation is similar and he will be able to make a full recovery with whatever time is necessary. Knowing more of the sitatuion, I don't care at all about not seeing him Sunday or even in John's last or starting w/ Pryce, I just wish for his recovery. To say DRS would be a mess is exaggerating I think and anyway, really not the main concern given the situation.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#4re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:45amAck, poor Norbert. Nodes can be tricky things. I've seen people who can't even speak after the surgery, let alone sing. Hopefully he makes a quick recovery!
Who's stoned? I am merely travelling incognito.
gavrochegirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
#5re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:47amOkay, now I'm worried for Norbert because I read that. I just want to give him a giant hug right now.
What the puck?!
#6re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:47amI agree WRQ but I know many DRS fans are going to be very disappointed. Norbert is such an intregal portion of the show that without his presence, the show will suffer. But I will still be there, promoting it as usual. Everyone I know is wishing Norbert a swift recovery. And by god, if that food poisoning from that soup was a factor, I will burn that pizzeria down!
#7re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:51am
All my prayers that Norbert's voice makes a full recovery. Not just for those of us who love to watch him, but for HIM period. Being a singer, I can't even imagine facing the prospect of losing my voice permanently. 
*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*
Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)
"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."
Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)
erinrebecca
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/29/04
#8re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:54amWow, let's hope this isn't a repeat of Julie Andrews' woes.
#9re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:57amWell Julie Andrews was a bit older. Age must certainly be a factor, no?
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#10re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:59amSure they're gonna be disappointed, point is I don't think it's appropriate when a performer's suffering in any aspect, physically or emotionally, to acknowledge the disappointment of fans since the overall well-being is so much more important. It's like you're saying fans were disappointed when Idina didn't stage door after receiving the death threat--true, but not something to focus on.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#11re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 12:59am
Yeah, Julie Andrews opted to get surgery instead of sitting it out. Surgery yields immediate results, but the voice never reaches the same potential that it had before the operation.
It's better to go to the trouble to not talk for like 3 months until it goes away by itself.
#12re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:00amThis is very upsetting. I know my younger brother and sister will be dissapointed on Sunday, as will my dad since I've talked-up Norbert's performance so much over the past months. I'm debating whether or not to let them down ahead of time or to act as though I didn't know. Any thoughts on how to approach the situation? Anyway... my thoughts are with Norbert during this difficult and dissapointing time.
"You've gotta have a swine to show you where the truffles are."
Doogie
Broadway Star Joined: 8/4/03
#13re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:00amWow guys, we are all overreacting. Nodes aren't good things, to be sure, but it seems that he caught this early (he hadn't been consistently missing performances the entire run, so this is a new thing) so he will probably be fine with a few weeks vocal rest. The nodes didn't kill Julie Andrews voice, it was the surgery for it, a route that she chose to take. FYI, MOST of nodes DO NOT require surgery, just voice rest. Also, Butz, is a full 20 years younger than Andrews was at the time of her voice problems. If he was able to perform without problem tonight, h will most likely be just fine in a few weeks.
FosseBoi
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/30/04
#14re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:01am
That is so scary!!! I will DEF. be praying for him! OMG! I cant get over his! I like him but I'm not a huge fan, but this REALLY concerns me. AHH! Sorry! A little freek out there. I hope all goes well!
"I've always secretly longed for an actress to get to the top of the cherry picker and projectile vomit all over the guards below."- Wonderwaiter in the "Defy Gravity?" thread.
~~~~~~~~My dream? Sutton Foster as Cassie in A Chorus Line
#15re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:02am
And, well... her surgery was also fairly BOTCHED.
I'm not jumping off the deep end, (sorry if my first post sounded like it)... I'm just remembering a friend who had the same problem who I talked to for a long time about the possibility of not being able to sing again- which terrified him.
*~* Every time you double-post, God kills a kitten. *~*
Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)
"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."
Peter Gregus: "Where are my house right ladies?!"
(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)
#16re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:05am
That's my opinion as well Doogie. Unless something official is announced as well, then we can't be too crazed. If he needs a month off, by all means, let him rest.
WRQ, you know Norbert's well being is our focal concern but I was making that point because I also care very much about the show and I feel this is going to throw a large wench into its working if he is out for a very long time. The DRS cast is like a family and with this, its going to be strained. Laura and Greg were visibly concerned.
#17re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:07amWickedrentq, try explaining how it is not appropriate to be dissapointed to two kids who have wanted to see this show since it opened. You have no control over your initial, gut response to ANY situation--especially if you're young and don't understand the severity of nodes.
"You've gotta have a swine to show you where the truffles are."
#18re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:15amPoor Norbert! He always seems to have so much on his plate. 2005 was such a crazy busy and successful year for him and his career. I hope it all wasn't too much for his voice. I wish him a speedy recovery! Thanks for the update.
the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of thier dreams
~eleanor roosevelt
bwaymyway84
Chorus Member Joined: 12/22/05
#19re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:17amVocal Nodes or Nodules are very common with singers. They are small knots that form on the vocal folds of your vocal chords. It can cause singers to sound hoarse while talking and (while singing) can sound "airy" or "raspy" because when the knots form they prevent the vocal chords from closing together when they vibrate. It’s the athletes sprained or pulled muscle of the singing world. They form from vocal stress, strain, overuse, misuse, if the singer doesn't take time to fully recover from a sore throat or other respiratory illness, and probably a number of other things. Take any show on Broadway these days and it's a wonder more performers don't have to deal with this. Vocal rest is almost always prescribed to recover. If the nodes go untreated for whatever amount of time the knots harden and then are called cysts. At this point they require surgery to get rid of. A vocal friend of mine just has this surgery a few months ago, has recovered wonderfully and is giving her DMA vocal recital in a few weeks. So best of luck to Norbert and hopefully his will heal without having to resort to surgery.
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#20re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:18amLamc, I'm not telling anyone not to be disappointed, I'm bringing my sister for the first time Sunday, and of course if you're especially young it's understandable, it's a natural human response, and I don't fault anyone, and I'm sorry for those disappointed. I just meant that while people are disappointed, I just didn't feel it necessary to focus on in this thread, that's all. But now I'm focusing on it, so nevermind, not necessary for me to say anymore.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
tagiunagi
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/05
#21re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:21amI'm surprised Greg hasn't mentioned anything about this. I mean, he wouldn't want to worry fans, but to completely deny the real reason is... so Hollywood.
Question: Will Esparza win for The Homecoming?
BobbyBubby: I hope so. If only for the mental health of many people on this board.
#22re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:26amwickedrentq, it's fine. I didn't mean to seem brusque. I'll be there with my family on Sunday too! See you there!
"You've gotta have a swine to show you where the truffles are."
Billboard Girl
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/18/05
#23re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:28amOy, poor Norbert. Nodes are scary sh*t for a singer to have to deal with, and I hope he has a full and speedy recovery.
"There was this one time an alarm went off - it was in the middle of '24.' That's just wrong. Everyone knows everyone was watching '24' at that time."
--NYU student quoted in the Washington Square News about students ignoring the frequent fire alarms in dorms
#24re: Norbert Leo Butz Status
Posted: 1/7/06 at 1:29amHey where are you seated lam. I will be third row that day!
