Riedel on Diana Rigg being annoyed Ambrose misses Sundays- Page 7

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 7/7/18 at 3:53pm

This is slighty off topic, but I never realized how almost equally divided people are about Lauren Ambrose. I can't imagine she is both "definitive, transcendent" and "struggling with the music, weak, boring". It's such a big gap and contrast. 

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 7/7/18 at 4:07pm

Yes, you go on until you're at death's doorstep or until you destroy your voice as Miss Andrews did.

Never having been in a musical before, even in a featured role. Lauren Ambrose probably did not know how difficult the role would be for her. Admittedly, she might have gotten an idea from, for example, Kristin Chenoweth in On the Twentieth Century. With all her training and experience, Chenoweth still told all that she had to live like a nun while doing the role, and was rarely heard speaking any louder than a whisper when away from the theater.

But isn't it really the responsibility of the director while casting to choose someone he or she believes will last the role? And to make certain that the one to whom the role is offered understands the hardships?

I heard a lot about Laura Benanti, who is a favorite here. When I finally saw her in She Loves Me, I didn't think anyone could have played the role better. But this didn't lead to a flood of producers and directors at her door. The problem is too much talent in New York, and not enough places to showcase it. This leads to a lot of bad feelings.

[Papi2013]

Posted: 7/7/18 at 4:22pm

bk said: "Did anyone, I wonder, actually read what Ms. Rigg said? But all this outrage is soooo much fun here, every day in every way. She was actually very nice about Ms. Ambrose's performance, calling it definitive. Her irritation was finding it out via the press. That is not Ms. Ambrose's fault. And then she goes on to do her "when I was younger it was a different world" thing which is not a specific rant against Ms. Ambrose at all, but a general one against the work ethic of performers today."

I agree with you .  Some of the bitchy remarks here are so ridiculous .  

[MCfan2]

Posted: 7/7/18 at 6:40pm

broadwayboy223 said: "This is slighty off topic, but I never realized how almost equally divided people are about Lauren Ambrose. I can't imagine she is both "definitive, transcendent" and "struggling with the music, weak, boring". It's such a big gap and contrast."

Yes, I've noticed that too. It's weird. Of course you tend to see a variety of opinions on many performers, but these seem especially polarized.

 

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 2:26am

My impression is that people are taking this and pettily running with it as an excuse to trash on Lauren Ambrose, because they're still bitter that one of their Broadway diva faves didn't get the role instead. Tons of actors have alternates, and it's not like the production is making a secret of the fact that Ms. Ambrose will have a scheduled absence each week from here on out. If this arrangement is such a problem for you, then you don't have to see the show. It's that simple.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 7:48am

Elfuhbuh said: "My impression is that people are taking this and pettily running with it as an excuse to trash on Lauren Ambrose, because they're still bitter that one of their Broadway diva faves didn't get the role instead. Tons of actors have alternates, and it's not like the production is making a secret of the fact that Ms. Ambrose will have a scheduled absence each week from here on out. If this arrangement is such a problem for you, then you don't have to see the show. It's that simple. "

I’m very sorry if my comments came across as “trashing” her. I went into the show expecting to see this revelation in one of my favorite roles of all time and I left disappointed and mainly confused about all of her raves. I probably should’ve been kinder with my words, but I do not look down on her for asking for an alternate.

Updated On: 7/8/18 at 07:48 AM

[Zamedy154]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 8:11am

Broadway's ultimate diva, Ms. Merman, said it best, as recalled by Stritch. 

"You want to do a musical comedy? And you want to do it right? You gotta live like a ****ing nun!"

Brava, Merm.

And Brava, Dame Diana. 

And while you're at it, can you give a pep talk to one of the Angels from the last performance of KINKY BOOTS I saw who was soooo mailing it in by the end of the show that I wanted to scream!

THANK YOU for still displaying that opening night fire and excitement after all these fabulous years.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 8:25am

Zamedy154 said: "Broadway's ultimate diva, Ms. Merman, said it best, as recalled by Stritch.

"You want to do a musical comedy? And you want to do it right? You gotta live like a ****ing nun!"

Brava, Merm.

And Brava, Dame Diana.

And while you're at it, can you give a pep talk to one of the Angels from the last performance of KINKY BOOTS I saw who was soooo mailing it in by the end of the show that I wanted to scream!

THANK YOU for still displaying that opening night fire and excitement after all these fabulous years."

Uh Diana Rigg in MFL is not a good example of "still displaying that opening night fire." Both times I saw her she was really phoning it in.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 8:30am

Uh Diana Rigg in MFL is not a good example of "still displaying that opening night fire." Both times I saw her she was really phoning it in.

^Exactly

[wendy72]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 8:36am

Chenoweth "lived like a nun" and wasn't raising two small children at the same time. Ambrose already was ill earlier in the run. She's doing the best she can for herself, her family, and for the show. I'm curious if any of those trashing Ambrose have children? And know what it's like to play a giant role 8 times a week? Both things are herculean tasks, and stars with kids are doing both at the same time. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 8:47am

Elfuhbuh said: "My impression is that people are taking this and pettily running with it as an excuse to trash on Lauren Ambrose, because they're still bitter that one of their Broadway diva faves didn't get the role instead. Tons of actors have alternates, and it's not like the production is making a secret of the fact that Ms. Ambrose will have a scheduled absence each week from here on out. If this arrangement is such a problem for you, then you don't have to see the show. It's that simple."

^^^ THIS. Thank goodness, I didn't want to be the one to say it LOL

[binau]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 9:37am

"And then she goes on to do her "when I was younger it was a different world" thing which is not a specific rant against Ms. Ambrose at all, but a general one against the work ethic of performers today."

Is it about the work ethic or just a simple lack of capability? I could be wrong, but I would think back in the day they wouldn't often take risks casting people, such as Lauren Ambrose, who have no experience leading a musical 8 shows a week. 

 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 9:55am

Many years ago when I started in Corporate America all of our business meetings started at 7:30 AM. We all worked a minimum of 55 hours per week as well.  Today, typically the meetings start at 8:30 or 9AM and I cannot tell you the last time I worked over 40 hours in a week.  

Our ethics haven’t changed.  We just evolved and got smarter.

[ladypresent]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 10:49am

its a musical...this isn't that important. Jees

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 11:11am

I personally thought Lauren Ambrose gave the best performance of the season; her Eliza really stuck with me and I thought she was phenomenal. 

Also - regarding disappointed ticket holders who bought tickets in advance to see Ambrose - this is not the first time they announced a schedule change AFTER tickets have gone on sale - I know you guys have mentioned Lin Manuel Miranda announcing prior to Hamilton beginning previews, however - I bought tickets to for a Sunday matinee and literally a day after I bought them (they had been on sale for weeks prior to me buying them), they announced Lin would not be doing Sunday matinees as Hamilton. I was incredibly disappointed and was unable to exchange my tickets. I still had a great time however - I wish this was announced before they went on sale, not after. So, it has happened before.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 11:17am

Elfuhbuh said: "My impression is that people are taking this and pettily running with it as an excuse to trash on Lauren Ambrose, because they're still bitter that one of their Broadway diva faves didn't get the role instead. Tons of actors have alternates, and it's not like the production is making a secret of the fact that Ms. Ambrose will have a scheduled absence each week from here on out. If this arrangement is such a problem for you, then you don't have to see the show. It's that simple. "

I feel like this is an attempt to invalidate the opinions of anyone who didn't adore Ambrose in the part.  I thought she was terrible and not because my favorite actress didn't get the part, it was because she was terrible in the role.  Clearly she doesn't have the capabilities to sing it and you can physically see her struggle through the part onstage.  Her voice is wobbly, she doesn't take the character on any sort of journey, doesn't play past the first few roles, and now apparently can't sing the role 8 times a week.  Maybe they should've given the part to someone more equipped, whether that be a musical theatre actress or a complete unknown who would be able to handle the full schedule.  Not every role needs an alternate, especially not with microphones.  I've been seeing Broadway for decades and there certainly has been a huge dip in work ethic since the beginning of the 2000's.  Actors just don't have the same kind of drive anymore.

 

[Elegance101]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 11:24am

Wesley Taylor had an interesting thread on Twitter about this and I agree with a lot of his points. Yes, probably some actors have a less than stellar work ethic, but we have to remember that circumstances for actors are different nowadays than they were when Merman was never missing a show. It’s harder to live like a nun, honestly. I’m on my phone so I can’t link his thread, but he gave some good points about the changing environment New York actors are in and why it might affect attendance.

But let’s also not generalize. There are still so many actors who have wonderful attendance, whether they be Broadway legends or newcomers. I dislike how we discredit them here when talking about this issue.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 1:23pm

George and Dot has already informed us, with respect to The Band's Visit, that those who don't agree with her are "shallow." At best shallow.

So there is no need to even read other reviews. George and Dot has spoken. George and Dot is the Reviewer of Last Resort.

[geoffreyC]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 1:38pm

Miles2Go2 said: "I wonder if there is a personal conduct clause in her contract about publicly criticizing members of the cast or creative team.

oh brother.  I'm sure Ms. Rigg doesn't give a tuppence about such weird made up "threats" 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 1:49pm

OlBlueEyes, was it you that went on a homophobic rant a few weeks ago after the Tonys?

[freewilma]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 1:51pm

Elegance101 said: "Wesley Taylor had an interesting thread on Twitter about this and I agree with a lot of his points. Yes, probably some actors have a less than stellar work ethic, but we have to remember that circumstances for actors are different nowadays than they were when Merman was never missing a show. It’s harder to live like a nun, honestly. I’m on my phone so I can’t link his thread, but he gave some good points about the changing environment New York actors are in and why it might affect attendance.

But let’s also not generalize. There are still so many actors who have wonderful attendance, whether they be Broadway legends or newcomers. I dislike how we discredit them here when talking about this issue."

 

Wesley Taylor's twitter thread on this subject....a week before this column was published.  https://twitter.com/WesTayTay/status/1013238677974208512

And a twitter thread by Washington Post theatre critic Peter Marks on a similar vein, but in regards to understudies going on during Hamilton's DC run and ticket-holder expectations. https://twitter.com/petermarksdrama/status/1010519529515114496

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 2:39pm

I went on twitter to read Wesley Taylors thread.  I am not very good with twitter .  But I think I read it all.  What is curious to me  is that some of the people that responded are people that have had absences following well documented drunk days  ( instagram) at Fire Island or other late night events such as birthdays and so on.  In particular.. if you follow the ensemble of Dolly .. boy do these boys party.  I am not saying there is anything wrong with that...  but if your missing shows.. and your putting it on social media for all to see.  Just food for thought. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 2:53pm

There are a number of shows right now with principals who have/had excellent attendance.

Angels in America cast - 8 hour play, Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, etc. all have excellent attendance. In fact did they ever miss a day?

Carousel - I believe Josh Henry has only missed one show. He even sang the night his wife gave birth. And Billy Bigelow is a hard sing.

The Band's Visit - Katrina Lenk AFAIK has had excellent attendance. Idk if she's missed shows but haven't heard of her being out much if at all.

And you have many cases of stars who kept on with it despite personal injury. Jim Parsons broke his foot and didn't stop acting in Boys in the Band, Andy Karl tore his ACL and was back for opening night a few nights later, etc. etc.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 2:58pm

SmokeyLady said: "I went on twitter to read Wesley Taylors thread. I am not very good with twitter . But I think I read it all. What is curious to me is that some of the people that responded are people that have had absences following well documented drunk days ( instagram) at Fire Island or other late night events such as birthdays and so on. In particular.. if you follow the ensemble of Dolly .. boy do these boys party. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that... but if your missing shows.. and your putting it on social media for all to see. Just food for thought."

I follow some ensemble members on their social pages and I also often wonder how they can do 8 shows a week and still all do the activities and socializing they proudly display.  

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 7/8/18 at 3:00pm

qolbinau said: ""And then she goes on to do her "when I was younger it was a different world" thing which is not a specific rant against Ms. Ambrose at all, but a general one against the work ethic of performers today."

Is it about the work ethic or just a simple lack of capability? I could be wrong, but I would think back in the day they wouldn't often take risks casting people, such as Lauren Ambrose, who have no experience leading a musical 8 shows a week.

"

I mean... Rex Harrison seems to be the obvious counterexample...