Mandy and the Great Comet

mrssondheim · Jul 27, 2017, 11:16 AM

Hey all,

Some of my theater friends are up in arms about Mandy replacing Oak in The Great Comet. I do not know all the ins and outs about the situation, but am figuring it comes down to dollars and cents. Some of my friends are wanting to call it racism, but I do not think that is the case since they have had POC in the cast in the past with great success. I personally think that Mandy will bring more butts into the seats and more revenue for the show. I believe that this kind of "name recognition" happened before when Josh G took over the role when it transferred to Broadway. Am I wrong in this?

Anyone have any insight?? Here is the article that is upsetting folks:

http://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2017/7/26/oak-mandy-the-great-casting-mess-of-2017

Vera Charles · Jul 27, 2017, 02:28 PM

@mamarose As usual, (I can't believe how far behind I have fallen in my reading up on what's current in MT) this wasn't on my radar at all. What a very "interesting" move on the part of the producer. I can completely understand why it's caused so much furore but suspect there is little more to it than Patinkin saying he could make himself free for a few weeks to do the show and the producer driven by a combination of being star struck and completely driven by the number of bums Mandy would put on seats has asked the original actor to stand down for a few weeks so that Patinkin can earn him a few bucks. Shocking if true, but I think the producer is only out for the amount of bucks he can make. It seems he has form - reading about how he treated the original producing theatre backs that up.

Bobster · Jul 27, 2017, 10:23 PM

I can't tell if it truly was "Hey, I'm free for a bit and would love to do the show during my downtime!" versus "Mandy, we need you, can you please do the show during your downtime?"

"Vera"'s point about the producer and how the original theatre company was treated is a point I forgot about.

But on the other hand, it is an expensive show so why not make some more money if a star can come in? I'm sure Oak was compensated in some aspect.

If someone like Bruno Mars was available...

mrssondheim · Jul 27, 2017, 11:43 PM

Quote from: Bobster on Jul 27, 2017, 10:23 PM"Vera"'s point about the producer and how the original theatre company was treated is a point I forgot about.

Whqt are are you talking about?

Vera Charles · Jul 28, 2017, 04:03 AM

Quote from: mamarose on Jul 27, 2017, 11:43 PM
Quote from: Bobster on Jul 27, 2017, 10:23 PM"Vera"'s point about the producer and how the original theatre company was treated is a point I forgot about.

Whqt are are you talking about?

The non- profit theatre that originated The Great Comet was treated very badly by Kagan and his wife - as reported here.

mrssondheim · Jul 28, 2017, 06:43 AM

Wow!!!!!!

mrssondheim · Jul 28, 2017, 06:44 AM

Am I incorrect in believing that Josh G was not the first Pierre?

AmyG · Jul 28, 2017, 10:31 AM

Oak isn't coming back ... ever. I'm thinking there's more here and Oak is too professional to say it.

Bobster · Jul 28, 2017, 01:40 PM

Beat me to it, Amy; I just read about it.

QuoteAm I incorrect in believing that Josh G was not the first Pierre?

He wasn't in the previous Off-Broadway productions; that was composer Dave Malloy.

Latest development: Mandy Withdraws!!!!

Bobster · Jul 31, 2017, 10:28 AM

Two more articles on the latest:

http://nypost.com/2017/07/29/dont-cheer-mandy-patinkin-leaving-great-comet-just-yet/

http://gothamist.com/2017/07/30/great_comet_actor_stands_up_for_mus.php?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+Gothamist+Daily+Winter+Storm+Warning+In+Effect+As+NYC+May+See+6-12+Of+Snow+Possibly+More&utm_content=Daily+Gothamist+Daily+Winter+Storm+Warning+In+Effect+As+NYC+May+See+6-12+Of+Snow+Possibly+More+CID_57071e87f03faeb6759312dcb815b70e&utm_source=CM&utm_term=Great+Comet+Actor+Stands+Up+For+Musical+Amid+Casting+Controversy

I never thought it was a racist issue but I did think it was an assh*le producer issue. If the two men had been told the whole story it would have been better.

I also think some people found something that wasn't there...and now the multi cultural show may close. Will the protesters get the cast new jobs?

MartinG · Jul 31, 2017, 11:44 AM

Can someone please clarify the meaning of 'optics' in these articles? It seems as bewildering as the tendency of journalists to refer to musicals as 'tuners'. Decidedly odd.

Chris L · Jul 31, 2017, 11:51 AM

Quote from: MartinG on Jul 31, 2017, 11:44 AMCan someone please clarify the meaning of 'optics' in these articles? It seems as bewildering as the tendency of journalists to refer to musicals as 'tuners'. Decidedly odd.

"Optics" just refers to how something looks to the public. "Problematic optics" means something looks bad and is therefore lousy public relations, whether it's actually a bad thing or not.

MartinG · Jul 31, 2017, 12:00 PM

Thank Chris. Appearance then. Hm.