Chicago the Musical Appreciation Thread

[everythingtaboo]

Such sad news to hear of Jeffrey's passing. But in the ensuing days Chicago cast members had been posting Equity Rule 34 on Intimidation. Now a blog posting has coming out with new allegations and it's all coming tragically clearer...

"On Friday June 29th, surrounded by his closest circle of friends and his partner of 33 years, Peter De La Cruz, Loeffelholz elicited gasps one final time as he was taken off life support the day after he attempted to take his own life by way of a handful of Tylenol with a tequila chaser. It was a touching, tragic curtain call.

It was also one tragedy that should’ve never played on Broadway. Loeffelholz took his own life almost a week after a particularly brutal dressing down by Chicago’s director, Walter Bobbie, as well as the show’s musical director, Leslie Stifelman...."

 

Justice for Jeff: How Bullying Ended the Life of One of Broadway's Brightest Lights

[ACL2006]

Yikes! Can't imagine the cast is handling this well.

[ethan231h]

Also ensemble member Gabby McClinton posted this a few days ago...https://www.instagram.com/p/BksvohQjpIn/?taken-by=gabrielle.mcclinton

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I have never heard of this.   This seems to have come out of nowhere.

[ethan231h]

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "I have never heard of this. This seems to have come out of nowhere."

https://justiceforjeffrey.wordpress.com

[Dallas Theatre Fan]

You know I was just wondering to my self I few days ago if he was still in the production. What a sad story.

[ethan231h]

the fact that there hasnt been a letter released by the producers is scary.

[Jordan Catalano]

So the moderators don’t want this being discussed.
Disgusting.

[QueenAlice]

Since the other thread was deleted thanks to Jordan making F-bombs - I don't mind saying it here. I have huge sympathy for Jeff and his family but an actor who commits suicide because he is fired from a Broadway show obviously had some other serious mental and emotional issues going on. To simply say this is the fault of a director and musical director bullying an actor in the rehearsal room seems off base to me.

My best thoughts go out to Jeff and his family and a circle of friends who clearly loved him.

[Jordan Catalano]

Oh your sympathies go out now, sweetheart? A few minutes ago on the deleted thread, you were singing a different tune.
And they don’t delete threads because I told you to f*ck off, they delete comments.

[shrekster224]

Awesome that the thread about Jeff was deleted *not*...RIP Jeff.

[GeorgeandDot]

Actors are constantly abused by directors and producers. It's a type of behavior that needs to stop. If you're a good director, you don't need to stoop down to emotional abuse to get a good performance. It's been going on for too long. Actors are sensitive, emotional people. They work best in an environment that nurtures that. This is just so sad and it's tragic how this seems to have really been swept under the rug. I'm over the entertainment industry being a place where things like sexual assault, harassment, and emotional and physical abuse are acceptable.

[QueenAlice]

I love it when posters like Jordan become bullies in trying to defend someone they feel was wronged by a bully. It really helps doesn't it?

[Jordan Catalano]

Oh shut up, <<edited by BWW staff>> and let me mourn the loss of my friend. Next time someone you know dies you let me know and I’ll be sure to publicaly post about how it’s not a big deal and they were just being dramatic.
 

[QueenAlice]

Jordan - with all due respect - this a chat board where people should be allowed to discuss their opinions. It's not a therapy circle. I'm sorry for your loss, but I really take offense to how you've been talking to me in this and other threads.  I should be able to state my opinion without being constantly attacked by you.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Well, I'm quite pleased (relieved) that this thread has been unlocked. My plea was heard.   I was worried there for a while.  In the meantime, use your words judiciously and try to dispense with the name calling.  It will not accomplish anything at all.  Just agree to disagree.  

[SmokeyLady]

It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. Just curious as to who the other actor is that still has a run of production contract?

[adamgreer]

SmokeyLady said: "It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. Just curious as to who the other actor is that still has a run of production contract?"

My guess, and it's just that, a guess, is Donna Marie Asbury, given how long she has been with the show.

[smidge]

Pardon my ignorance but do the producers really take a major financial hit with a run of production contract?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Hey Smidge!  I don't think that there is anyone else in the current cast with a run of production contract.  I believe Donna Marie Asbury began her Broadway run in 1999.  She has mentioned that she wants to complete 20 years with Chicago. Hopefully, she can accomplish that.   With regards to musicians, Leslie Stifleman has been with the beginning of the revival, starting as a pianist.  

[ACL2006]

Asbury hasn't been with the show since the begining. She started with the first national tour and moved into the Bway producrion as a replacement. She's been with the show for nearly 18 years.

[SmokeyLady]

I believe in the blog it states there is one more performer currently under that contract.

[adamgreer]

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Hey Smidge! I don't think that there is anyone else in the current cast with a run of production contract. I believe Donna Marie Asbury began her Broadway run in 1999. She has mentioned that she wants to complete 20 years with Chicago. Hopefully, she can accomplish that.With regards to musicians, Leslie Stifleman has been with the beginning of the revival, starting as a pianist."

The blog explicitly says there is one other cast member with a run of show contract. That’s why they asked. 

[adamgreer]

ACL2006 said: "Asbury hasn't been with the show since the begining. She started with the first national tour and moved into the Bway producrion as a replacement. She's been with the show for nearly 18 years."

Would you have to be an original cast member to get a run of show contract? I’m unaware of how those things work, but she’s definitely the cast member who’s been there the longest at this point. 

[Tag]

I think? the blog has now removed that claim of a second cast member being on ROP contract.