Actor Alleges Troubling Treatment at Broadway's "Anastasia"

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Based only on what was written in the OnStage Blog post, EVERYBODY in this story comes across as an asshole.

Also, I have seen people file complaints against their co-workers and superiors for “creating a hostile work environment,” and a word of advice: DON’T. If they are not breaking a law, work it out the way people do. Getting unions and HR involved only makes things worse.

[bk]

HogansHero said: "bk said: "HogansHero said: "bk said: "I don't make judgments until I hear all sides of a story.. "

^irony

"

Well, ryhog, you yourself are irony."

ooooh what a fancy retort!where'd you pick than one up? Bedminster?"

Ooh, nah, just stating the obvious and what everyone here and elsewhere already knows, ryhog.  But you're always good for a chuckle and I, for one, have chuckled.

[ColorTheHours048]

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Based only on what was written in the OnStage Blog post, EVERYBODY in this story comes across as an asshole.

Also, I have seen people file complaints against their co-workers and superiors for “creating a hostile work environment,” and a word of advice: DON’T. If they are not breaking a law, work it out the way people do. Getting unions and HR involved only makes things worse."

What was most telling to me about this “story” is that Equity’s response never seemed to be “We’re so sorry this is happening, we’ll look into this right away.” It always seemed to be “Let’s try to schedule a meeting where we can talk this out. Please don’t escalate the situation before we need to.” Now, a show company being universally racially discriminatory against one person I can maybe believe, but AEA would have reacted a lot more seriously if the situation were genuinely as hostile as he painted it.

Frankly, I agree with Baritone. It sounds like the company manager and PSM reacted childishly toward a man who was acting like a jerk every day. The part where he ran down and demanded his dresser grab him an undershirt is an anecdote he himself clearly thought he was on the right side of, but it just paints him as unprofessional. I would *never* bark orders at a wardrobe person, regardless of if I was rushed or not. And if it was such a frequent occurrence, why start addressing the problem after it’s already been a problem?

I have so so many issues with this story.

[HogansHero]

bk said: "Ooh, nah, just stating the obvious andwhat everyone here and elsewhere already knows, ryhog. But you're always good for a chuckle and I, for one, have chuckled."

When you stop chuckling, maybe you will have time to look up the word in the dictionary. Or, on second thought, don't bother. Now, back to something of substance....

[bk]

HogansHero said: "bk said: "Ooh, nah, just stating the obvious andwhat everyone here and elsewhere already knows, ryhog. But you're always good for a chuckle and I, for one, have chuckled."

When you stop chuckling, maybe you will have time to look up the word in the dictionary. Or, on second thought, don't bother. Now, back to something of substance...."

Substance, from you?  Chuckles have turned to guffaws.  And now back to this thread...

[TobiasRagg]

I don’t know what to make of this story, but I will add that every time I (regrettably) click a link to read an OnStage Blog article that seems controversial, or just trying to stir the pot, it’s written by Chris Peterson.

This guy just seems to always want to make more of things than they are. And it’s never well-written. Not saying this is the case with this specific story, but based on this happening so frequently, I take all of his stories with a grain of salt.

[orangeskittles]

Nothing described in this article is racist. He may interpret it as racism; no one actually knows, we can't see inside anyone's mind to know if that was part of it. But based on the incidents described, I don't think it necessitated escalating to formal complaints with Equity and accusations of racism. It sounds like an unhappy actor who interpreted every minor backstage snafu as a personal attack, and was upset the stage manager didn't agree.

The actor needs to not sweat the small stuff. Both the actor and the stage manger need to be grown ups and learn to deal with people they don't get along with in a professional environment. And the blog concluding with comparing "The dresser lost my undershirt" to Jeff Loeffelholz's suicide was crass and inappropriate.

Everyone Sucks Here

[Pose2]

I am just obsessed with the fact that he NEEDED to leave the state to get a decent haircut. When he lives in NYC. Best part of this whole lie.  

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Yeah the Jeff L. situation was a crude, unnecessary comparison.

The stage management team as described in the article come across as rather cold and uncaring, but saying it’s racially motivated is a dangerous assumption. It’s odd that he was the only black actor in the cast, but he also comes across in the article as the kind of person who says they are being discriminated against, when in actuality people don’t like them simply because they are a jerk.

This is based entirely on what Chris Peterson wrote. I don’t know any of these people. But if Peterson was trying to be a whistleblower, it had the opposite effect.

[dramamama611]

I KNEW we had discussed this already!

[TheaterGeek]

I will be sitting down today with James for an interview which will be posted on Monday on my website, www.theactorsaudience.com & we will unpack the entire chain of events.

[JSquared2]

TheaterGeek said: "I will be sitting down today with James for an interview which will be posted on Monday on my website, www.theactorsaudience.com & we will unpack the entire chain of events."

Don't you mean you will be "unpacking" HIS side of the events?  

[TheaterGeek]

Well since it is an interview with him, yes it will be his side of the events that took place. If the other "sides" want to speak up or refute anything I am more than happy to listen.

[TheaterGeek]

My interviews with James are now both up on my website for those who are interested in watching. Part 1 is about his career as a whole and what he has coming up. Part 2 is an in-depth look at the drama backstage at Anastasia.

http://theactorsaudience.com/portfolioitems/james-a-pierce-iii

 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

I watched Part 2, which is VERY long and in which Pierce simply repeats everything he wrote/posted on Twitter and what was written on Onstage Blog. I don’t think he said a single thing that was new.

Based on the article, his Twitter postings, and this interview, the impression I get is that there was a lot bad behavior backstage at Anastasia by multiple people - INCLUDING HIM. He did himself no favors by repeatedly airing this dirty laundry.

[James A Pierce III]

I, recently, learned about this message board from my friends in the industry. How is it one sided when I’ve provided emails from both sides? I’ve provided photographic proof of the dance captain’s(Dustin Layton) drawing of a penis ejaculating over my name in the men’s ensemble dressing room? If you go to my IG profile you will see that many people have had similar experiences with Bonnie Panson, Kim Kelly And RCI Theatricals. I am a FIRM believer in getting the WHOLE story. I am NOT unfair. But I find it interesting that with the proof i’ve Provided you’re so quick to condemn me. I am a VERY private person and I tried to handle this internally (if you read the article) since November 15, 2018. I’ve, recently, found out some information that I will not share publicly(now) that these people were purposely doing things to get a reaction(which they never got) from me. Once it’s all is said and done you will be eating your words. I would not have the career that I had at my young age if I was a terrible ANGRY BLACK MAN. Check my resume...

[James A Pierce III]

For the Record, Christy and I have had very personal conversations as HUMAN BEINGS! We are from the same area in Pennsylvania and she respected me (to my face) because I spoke to her as Christy and NOT as ANASTASIA. I have nothing but LOVE for Christy.

[\_(•_•)_/]

The show closed Six months ago. Why do you keep trying to go after everyone after the fact? You claim they never got a reaction out of you, yet here we are Six months later with a reaction out of you.

[CedricOates]

“I, recently, learned about this message board from my friends in the industry.“
Joined 11/10/15. Lmao Ight bro. Show closed. Move on.

[Moderator]

While discussing a public, published blog post is obviously acceptable, this conversation is starting to get into territories that are likely better handled via official channels. So we will be locking this thread. Thank you, and everyone have a great Friday.