Oklahoma! Attendance recently

[BillyComet]

Am finally going to see Oklahoma on Wednesday evening and Im terrified of certain people being absent as I know the attendance of the show has been pretty horrible in the past.

Does anyone know if any of the principles, particularly Stroker, has a vacation this week?

Its just that Ive never met anyone who has seen her performance and it seems like her understudy goes on more than her.

[Dollypop]

"terrified"? Oh, come on!

[suicidalmickeymouse]

She’s incredibly hard to catch it seems, I agree. I’m also trying my luck for this on Oct 9, I want to see Damon who’s also out a lot.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?page=2&thread=1118620

The last post in this thread mentions she IS/was on vacation very recently. Hopefully she’ll be back tonight so you can know in advance what your chances are.

[BillyComet]

It wouldn’t be a thread without dollypop saying something sarcastic.

Anyway, when did all of this absenteeism become so acceptable? In the golden days of Broadway it was almost unheard of. People were workhorses back then.

And also, why does this particular show have such dreadful attendance? 

[JBroadway]

BillyComet said: "Anyway, when did all of this absenteeism become so acceptable? In the golden days of Broadway it was almost unheard of. People were workhorses back then."

 

Maybe it has something to do with human beings not wanting to feel like workhorses anymore...

 

[joevitus]

BillyComet said: "It wouldn’t be a thread without dollypop saying something sarcastic.

Anyway, when did all of this absenteeism become so acceptable? In the golden days of Broadway it was almost unheard of. People were workhorses back then.

And also, why doesthis particular showhave such dreadful attendance?"

Indeed. For instance, Merman did not miss a single performance of Call Me Madam. I believe it started with LuPone, who refused to do matinees for Evita. Granted, that's an opera and much more vocally demanding than a book musical.

[Bwaydreamer3]

Ali's sister just got married so I think she's more than allowed some time off. When I saw the show the only person out was Will Mann. Everyone in the show is great but the material and direction stand on their own. 

[BillyComet]

But it is their job. If Ali missed this much work in an office or even at Target, she would get fired so fast.

Those “work horses”, for lack of a better term, still exist. Patti LuPone, Judy Kaye, Rosemary Harris, Elaine when she was still alive, etc.

When did the younger generation think that it’s all right to miss performance after performance? And I am in my early 30s so I’m not talking from older person‘s perspective.

[FANtomFollies]

Unpopular opinion: I've seen Stroker and her understudy Sasha Hutchings and I found Sasha to be a far superior actor and MUCH funnier.

[Bwaydreamer3]

Actors are people too... Something so many of you guys seem to forget. None of you know what is going on in any of their lives so judging their attendance without knowing the reason is really not valid. Treat people with some respect. 

[BillyComet]

Yes Bwaydreamer, life happens and people have to miss shows.

All I’m saying is if Ali missed as many shifts at a job at Target, she would have fired LONG ago.

But she won the Tony award so producers are looking the other way. I wonder if she’s even getting a dock in pay.

A job is a job, end of story.

[joevitus]

I don't think anyone's complaining about someone being ill, or even taking a vacation. But regularly missing performances--especially on an erratic basis--does suggest unprofessionalism, and if we're taking our daily lives as a model, how many of us have the luxury of regularly taking days off from work with no negative consequences? 

[Bwaydreamer3]

I don't think her tony win garners her any leeway. She signed her contract way before she won a tony. None of us know what that contract says. It's not up to you and me to wonder if they're docking her pay. Yes a job may be a job but if you think working at Target equivocates to acting on stage there's a big difference. I'm not saying actors should be given special privileges but any actor call tell you just how difficult it really is. 

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Still, the amount of absences from Damon and Ali do seem a bit over the top. I’m sure I will enjoy whoever I get when I go next month!

[broadway86]

Unpopular opinion: I've seen Stroker and her understudy Sasha Hutchings and I found Sasha to be a far superior actor and MUCH funnier.

I've only seen the production once, with full cast in. And honestly, though Stroker was very good, I preferred Daunno, Jones, Vaill, and Davis's performances far more.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

If Ali worked at "Target" or in an office, she wouldn't need to worry about vocal strain, physical injuries, mental health issues from being in the "public" eye, etc.

She also might have negotiated days off for pre-scheduled other work when she signed on for OK! We don't know what went into that negotiation process.

Give me a break.

There is a balance between the never-call-out mentality (during which actors sometimes went on when they really should have stayed home) and frequent absences. 

[Rainah]

I believe the box office said Ali was out for the rest of the month but tbh I was mostly concerned with Damon and he was in. :) no other vacations that I know of. I didn't really like Sasha but I don't know how much that was the role/direction and how much was the actor

[gleek4114]

I saw a Wednesday evening performance on 9/4 and the entire company was present. I thought Ali’s performance was fine, and I’m glad I got to see her, but her absence wouldn’t spoil the evening in my opinion. However, seeing Hadestown earlier that same day, I can’t imagine that show without Amber Gray, who IMO is giving a much better performance than Stroker.

[dramamama611]

Oh, yes, I fully agree!^

 

That being said: how many performances an actor misses is between her and her boss.  If I get sick -work related or otherwise - my boss "gets it" and I'm not in danger of being fired from nearly ANY job.  

I get it's disappointing to not see a specific performer - but wanting them to be fired over it is simply none of our business.

As far as 'work ethic', I get 15 sick days a year that accrue, and 3 personal days every year.   I have OVER 200 accrued.   I seldom use ONE personal day a year.   I know colleagues that use EVERY SINGLE DAY allotted to them - every year.   So what?  It's none of my business.

[smidge]

Bwaydreamer3 said: "I don't think her tony win garners her any leeway. She signed hercontract way before she won a tony. None of us know what that contract says. It's not up to you and me to wonder if they're docking her pay. Yes a job may be a job but if you think working at Target equivocates to acting on stage there's a big difference. I'm not saying actors should be given special privileges but any actor call tell you just how difficult it really is."

in one post you say actors are people too. Then you contradict yourself. This could lead to some confusion regarding your defense.

 

[Iclick]

I totally understand that people pay good money to see specific productions and performances. An award winning performance is a treat to see and is a Very desirable ticket for sure. I have been disappointed in the past to find a performer out and I always have to remember that these are still humans performing. They are subject to the same things ( illness, family situations, etc) as we are.
I work a more common job and I can go in with a cold. With a injured leg. With laryngitis. Broadway performers must be in top form at all times to do their job. I’m sure they do all they can to take care of themselves as not to disappoint their fans and people who have paid to see them perform.

[VotePeron]

Good thing none of you are Mean Girls fans, now *thats* a company that has zero respect for attendance.

[Bwaydreamer3]

Where do I contradict myself? Actors are people. Let's not treat them like emotionless robots. Then I said,  "I'm not saying actors should be given special privileges but any actor call tell you just how difficult it really is." Again, since I guess it didn't stick, I'm not saying actors should be given special privileges, but if you have ever acted professionally you know it is one of the most demanding jobs. 

[jjcasual]

I saw the show on Sunday evening (9/22), and everyone was in except for Ali. It was a special performance for the Actors Fund, so I’m not sure if that changes anything.

[Pose2]

Am finally going to see Oklahoma on Wednesday evening and Im terrified of certain people being absent 

Just stop with the dramaaaaaaa. It's ridiculous. You are paying for the show. That's it. That is all you get.