Printer Friendly - Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by regnad kcin 2012-12-18 12:56:00
Seeing Once next Thursday, and I've read conflicting items on whether Steve is out of the production right now due to Lyme Disease. Anyone know whether he's had to take time off, and, if so, who has been taking over?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ucjrdude902 2012-12-18 12:56:35
Can't you just call the theatre and ask?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by saisai 2012-12-18 13:17:18
He tweeted that he wouldn't be missing any performances.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by once a month 2012-12-18 13:41:11
Thought we were talking belly-buttons here.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-18 14:37:40
He hasn't missed a single performance as a result of Lyme disease. Obviously he could miss any specific performance but his attendance record has been impeccable.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-12-18 16:30:39
So happy to hear this. I and some of my family are seeing the show for the first time Friday night and I had expected he would definitely be out.
Hope this doesn't sound selfish as I hope his being a trooper isn't too taxing for him as he recovers.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by florida theatre kid 2012-12-29 00:43:56
Kazee and Milioti were both out tonight, Friday 12/28. I was disappointed when I saw the board as I wanted to see them, but Ben Hope and Laura Dreyfuss were both incredible....especially Dreyfuss who really, really blew me away.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-12-29 11:35:32
Finally saw it last Friday. Loved it. Kazee was in. Dreyfuss went on for Milioti. She was very good.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ACL2006 2012-12-29 11:42:02
They're also doing 9 performances this week. I know Kazee was out Wednesday night(with J. Michael Zygo on as Guy). I wonder if they simply scheduled the leads to only do 7 or 8 shows this week considering they have 9 shows scheduled in 5 days.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-29 11:49:50
I just have to say I hate this. I feel like in the past 5 years, performers have been calling out more than ever in the past and while I didn't care for "Once" and don't have particular affection for Kazee or Milioti, I could see how many would want to see them and would be disappointed if they did not.
What ever happened to the performers like Michael Cerveris who don't miss shows unless the world's about to end? Honestly, I have so much respect for people who take their contracts and their jobs seriously, it seems like many of the young actors now really just don't.
Sorry, rant over, but jesus, how hard is it for these two to show up? These roles are hardly the most demanding on the boards right now.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by gstrus2 2012-12-29 11:54:10
Steve Kazee has not been out due to Lyme Disease, but was out due to a fever, but normally has good attendance. But, Cristin on the other hand I've heard has had very poor attendance. Was out when I saw the show.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-29 12:05:35
Steve has rarely been out. He was out when his mother died of cancer and for the past two days due to a fever. That's very good attendance. Cristin has missed more performances but it doesn't even approach how often some stars call out.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by saisai 2012-12-29 12:19:49
I think it's the luck of the draw. I've seen Once 15 times now since May and Steve was out once. I think Cristin was out 2-3 times. I hope Cristin didn't catch the flu from Steve!!
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-29 12:21:45
I don't know either of their attendance records, and neither do any of you, so those of you asserting he has "great attendance" are basing that on hearsay as much as I'm basing my assessment on anecdotal evidence.
I was making a general point. Though I will say that of the 8 friends I have who have seen the show, only 2 saw both leads. And this was over the course of the past year, not just recently.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-29 12:31:23
Actually, I do know, but thanks for your comments. :)
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-29 12:46:49
You know the exact number of times he's been out and when those dates were? Every single one? Are you Steve Kazee? If so, get back to your show, girl.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Blockhead24 2012-12-29 14:15:45
Kelly I'm so sick of you being such a you- know- what about this..get over it. You've made your point..many times. We get it.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-29 14:32:32
And I'm sick of people with no freakin' work ethic. If I missed as many days at my job as some of these people miss I'd be fired real quick.
There are thousands of people who would kill to perform on Broadway just once. Maybe a small moment of remembering how lucky they are would be apropos.
And so this isn't totally negative: there are MANY actors with impeccable attendance who are worthy of commendation for that fact. Michael Cerveris is the most obvious example, but there are many others.
ETA: And if it's in fact true that Steve Kazee performed despite his Lyme disease, good for him. That's a great example of the dedication I'm talking about.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by jv92 2012-12-29 14:43:00
I must agree with Kelly. If you're scheduled/contractually obligate to do EIGHT SHOWS A WEEK...do 'em! Unless you're quite ill, or something awful has come up. Sorry, kids.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by little_sally 2012-12-29 14:47:33
Are actors paid for the shows they miss?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-29 14:48:16
In every line of work people take days off for various reasons. If you're ill and can't perform or have some other obligation it isn't unreasonable to take day(s) off. Even the infallible Michael Cerveris missed 1 (or 2 I cant remember) performances in the Evita run. People like him are impressive but they're the exceptions to the rule, like those you see every so often on the news in any line of work retiring after 40 years without missing a day of work. I'm not saying there aren't actors who have attendance issues and abuse their "days off" but seriously I find it offensive whenever someone is out invariably people will come here and complain.
Steve Kazee has freakin' Lyme disease and has missed only two days of performances due to another illness on top of it.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-29 14:50:46
Broadwaydevil, no one is complaining "every time" someone is out. As I said in my previous post, that's commendable re: Steve and Lyme disease. I have many friends who missed him when they saw the show, maybe that was just bad luck, but it seemed a bit overwhelming to me.
People complain when it becomes clear that actors, especially leading actors whose performances are well-reviewed and awarded, are regularly missing performances more frequently than is really reasonable. Amy Spanger, anyone?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by dramamama611 2012-12-29 14:55:54
And you don't know that this ISN'T the case. They DO get sick days built into their contract. Some people are more prone to illness than others. I seldom get sick...and to that I have scads of sick days accrued. Others get sick easily -- or cannot perform their duties well when they are under the weather.
There are likely some performers for whom simple illness doesn't affect their performance, and others that do -- with the most simple of ailments. We all know darn well, that if an actor gave a sub-par performance people would be griping that "if they were that sick, they should stay home and let the understudy do it.
We are a now a society that are encouraged to stay home so as not to get pass on illness and to recover more quickly with lots of bed rest.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-29 14:56:15
People complain when it becomes clear that actors, especially leading actors whose performances are well-reviewed and awarded, are regularly missing performances more frequently than is really reasonable.
Agreed. Karen Olivio is just as bad. Towards the end of his run in Memphis, it seemed like you had a 50/50 shot at seeing Chad Kimball. I think we're actually agreeing here.
And I wasn't specifically referring to you in terms of complaining. It's just there's always someone complaining when they know nothing of the situation and are perhaps complaining about an actor who actually has an impeccable attendance record.
ETA: Dramamama thanks for that point, I agree wholeheartedly.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-29 15:01:25
Dramamama, I'm not saying if someone is legitimately contagious they should force themselves to go and infect everyone else backstage. Obviously, if you are physically unable to perform the requirements of your role, then it is what it is. And yes, some get sick more than others, sure, why not. But no one is sick enough to miss as many performances as some have, and there are plenty of facts/evidence to support many of the people mentioned in this thread not being gravely ill when they are absent. You're arguing about something that I'm not referring to in any way.
Broadwaydevil, I think I'm reading your posts more as you intended them now. I didn't mean to jump on you or single out Steve Kazee, he was just someone that I had heard personal stories about people being upset to miss out on seeing. Karen Olivo is another great example. I never really followed Memphis so I can't speak to Kimball.
My point was much more general than some people are interpreting it. I worked on a show where one of the actresses would call out every other week for Saturday matinees because she liked to go out drinking with her friends on Friday. That is the kind of irresponsible crap I hate. "I don't feel like it" is very different than "I am deeply ill and if I perform I could injure myself or infect half my cast."
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by saisai 2012-12-29 15:05:29
There's 2 sides to a coin. I've watched the show on 15 random dates and Steve's attendance has been 93%. Just sayin.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ghostlight2 2012-12-30 12:46:35
"I worked on a show where one of the actresses would call out every other week for Saturday matinees because she liked to go out drinking with her friends on Friday. That is the kind of irresponsible crap I hate. "I don't feel like it" is very different than "I am deeply ill and if I perform I could injure myself or infect half my cast." "
Are you talking about an Equity actor, Kelly2? Because an on-going issue like that needs to be addressed by a stage manager, and would be, on Broadway. How often do you think that "irresponsible crap" goes on on Broadway, since you bring that up as an example?
Often many posters here (and elsewhere) seem to assume the worst, until shown otherwise. You yourself were all "get back to your show, girl" regarding Kazee, but now you've decided he's "commendable", now that you know the reasons. Laura Benanti was excoriated a few years back for frequent absences, until the truth eventually came out she was being treated for an injury that her producers forbade her to reveal.
Hell, even your highly-regarded Cerveris was bashed when he missed that Evita performance due to a late plane (people said he had no business traveling on his day off). Some people are just never happy.
All I'm saying is, could you maybe give these people the benefit of the doubt, unless you know better? They shouldn't have to reveal their private troubles or illnesses to the general public to make it "ok".
ETA: Thanks, dramamama!
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by dramamama611 2012-12-30 12:51:47
{stands, applauding}
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by quizking101 2012-12-30 13:00:15
If I remember reading correctly, Throughout Michael McKean's stage career, he boasted never missing a performance in any show him did until THE BEST MAN this year...when he was taken down by a car.
Now THAT's impeecable.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-30 13:31:54
Ghostlight2, you seem to have interpreted my post in a really special way. When I said "Get back to your show, girl" I was joking, which was obvious since I was addressing broadwaydevil and inquiring as to whether or not he was Steve Kazee himself. The joke was that if he was posting on a message board, maybe he should get back to the theatre. It was just that, a joke. My criticism of Kazee stemmed from my own anecdotal evidence regarding his absences. Unlike some people on this board, when new facts are introduced to an argument, I'm happy to assess them and give credit where it is due. I don't really think that's a bad thing, but if you prefer willful obstinance then that's your deal.
As far as the incident I was referring to, yes, this was an Equity actor in a Broadway show. I don't think it goes on frequently, but it goes on enough that similar issues have been a topic of discussion on many a night out in the theatre district. Everybody's got stories about someone, I've heard many.
"Laura Benanti was excoriated a few years back for frequent absences, until the truth eventually came out she was being treated for an injury that her producers forbade her to reveal."
And you think most performances, like those mentioned in this thread named and unnamed, are missing constantly because of a serious injury that they are being forbidden to talk about? Come on. These are the exception, not the rule. And yes, if someone is absent frequently, I see nothing wrong with commenting on it, especially since people spent 100$+ to go see a show, sometimes only because they love a specific performer and want very badly to see them. There's no reason to demonize people for wanting to see the performer they love or the performer who won the Tony for their performance or whatever it may be.
I agree that it isn't fair to demonize actors who have an injury, illness, etc. that they cannot control. I have no problem eating my words and apologizing should I turn out to be wrong. I know others do, but it's not really anything I have an issue with.
"All I'm saying is, could you maybe give these people the benefit of the doubt, unless you know better? They shouldn't have to reveal their private troubles or illnesses to the general public to make it "ok". "
No one is asking anyone to reveal their private troubles every time they're out. Where are you getting that I feel like there should be a police squad questioning everyone who is even a minute late for half-hour? I'm referring to the types of cases brought up in this thread, for the hundredth time, regarding Amy Spanger in The Wedding Singer, Karen Olivo in West Side Story, and those who shall go unnamed that I have personally witnessed abusing their ability to call out over hangovers, boyfriend troubles, wanting to go on a vacation without telling anyone, etc.
Another example I heard from a well know director involved an actress who requested a day off and was not given that day off because of her past attendance and because some very important people were in the audience on that day. She faked sick, faked a doctor's note, and called out anyway. Pictures were later found on Facebook of her attending a friend's party. Oops?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ghostlight2 2012-12-30 14:38:03
"Ghostlight2, you seem to have interpreted my post in a really special way. When I said "Get back to your show, girl" I was joking, which was obvious since I was addressing broadwaydevil and inquiring as to whether or not he was Steve Kazee himself. The joke was that if he was posting on a message board, maybe he should get back to the theatre.My criticism of Kazee stemmed from my own anecdotal evidence regarding his absences. Unlike some people on this board, when new facts are introduced to an argument, I'm happy to assess them and give credit where it is due. I don't really think that's a bad thing, but if you prefer willful obstinance then that's your deal."
I got the "joke", but the point being is that you did an about face when someone confronted you with the facts, and facts beat out "anecdotal evidence" (which are not facts) every time. I'm simply suggesting that you know the facts before you malign an actor.
"And you think most performances, like those mentioned in this thread named and unnamed, are missing constantly because of a serious injury that they are being forbidden to talk about? Come on. These are the exception, not the rule."
And you know this...how?
I don't know what to make of your bizarre assertion that I'd prefer willful obstinance. That sounds like an unwarranted personal attack.
"Sorry, rant over, but jesus, how hard is it for these two to show up? "
Apparently your rant is not quite over yet. 
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by someone.else's.story2 2012-12-30 16:38:06
I follow Steve Kazee on Twitter and he posted about an uncle passing away. Maybe that's why he was out. Regardless, he has an amazing track record of being there almost always. If he needs a night off, so be it.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by darion 2012-12-30 18:21:16
I saw one of laura dreyfuss's first performances this Summer and as I commented at the time was disappointed when I saw her name listed but she totally blew me away. She is a star in the making and should take over for Milioti when her contract comes up. I predict we will be talking about her as one of the truly great young talents as we once did about sutton and osnes.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Visceral_Fella 2012-12-30 19:34:16
I wonder why Laura isn't on the website.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ACL2006 2012-12-30 22:12:59
They haven't updated the cast list on the website. The two girls in the show(alternates), have changed, plus they've added Dreyfuss & two more understudies(Joe Carroll & Don Noble).
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by mikem 2012-12-31 12:34:17
For what it's worth, I walked by the theater yesterday and the entire cast was in for the matinee.
I think part of the problem isn't the actors; it's the producers choosing not to tell anyone an actor has a planned absence. Michael Cerveris has only missed 1 or 2 performances in Evita that were unplanned, but he has missed several that were planned (for filming Fringe or other reasons). Cerveris apparently tweeted those dates, but there was nothing posted on the Evita website or on Ticketmaster for those performances. I know because I went to one of them.
The same is true for Kazee and Milioti. Some of their absences have been planned (vacation or filming) but the production doesn't tell anyone, so from the perspective of someone looking to see a particular performer, a planned absence equals an unplanned one.
And the actress who consistently called out because she was partying on Friday night is pretty foolish. She must be using up her sick days faster than she accumulates them. (Most Broadway actors get one sick day every four weeks.) And if she is below a certain salary cutoff, she would get paid for accumulated sick time when the show closes. Those are pretty expensive drinks she's having.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Mildred Plotka 2012-12-31 12:42:48
For the record, Never-Miss-a-Show Cerveris was out of Evita when I saw it last month. 
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by wdwfreak 2012-12-31 13:08:44
^ I'm sure Michael's record was never called out. Vacations and scheduled days off were not taken in account. Michael has been out of Evita on scheduled days off for filming for the past couple of months.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by FindingNamo 2012-12-31 13:41:08
"I predict we will be talking about her as one of the truly great young talents as we once did about sutton and osnes."
Oh.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ghostlight2 2012-12-31 13:50:49
"For the record, Never-Miss-a-Show Cerveris was out of Evita when I saw it last month. "
I do note your smiley, Mildred, but what wdwfreak says is true. Further, in his entire Broadway career, he has only had ONE unscheduled absence, the afore-mentioned one in Evita.
He does have a rich life beyond Broadway, though. The tv/films aside, he is a serious musician, and is in a band. He donates a great deal of his time to many benefits - but he schedules for all of it.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by steven22 2012-12-31 15:54:31
I don't understand why Girl has 2 understudies AND a stand by and Guy has 2 understudies...there must be logic behind it...?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-31 16:05:49
ghostlight2- I think that was his point. Imagine all the people at the theatre when Cerveris was out (planned or unplanned) grumbling about how this Michael guy that plays Peron should really show up to work. People say those kinds of things every time and it highlights how ignorant most of the audience is about the reasons behind performers' absences and why performers call out.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ElphabaRose 2012-12-31 16:07:20
Actually Guy has a standby and and understudy. They bumped Ben Hope up over the summer around the time they added Joe Carroll as a swing.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by ghostlight2 2012-12-31 16:31:13
"ghostlight2- I think that was his point. "
Hey, I noted the smiley, broadwaydevi! I was just clarifying. You and I are clearly on the same page here.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by broadwaydevil 2012-12-31 16:35:08
Gotcha :)
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Bettyboy72 2013-01-01 02:30:20
So who's this damn girl who parties too much?
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by kikki327 2013-01-01 02:50:23
Once a performer uses their sick days, I was under the impression that if they miss a performance after that they don't get paid for it. Is this true? If it is then wouldn't actors only call out if they are truly unable to perform?
In Chad's case, I don't think many people knew the severity of his condition. His shoulder injury was unpredictable and if it flared up he was physically unable to perform due to the amount of pain he was in. Which is the reason he left Memphis and why his attendance was unpredictable for the last part of his run.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by dramamama611 2013-01-01 06:37:26
That's kind of the way sick days work for everyone. Sometimes, for really great employees, exceptions are made: they'll put it against future sick days - but it doesn't make a lot of sense since that just puts you in a hole. If you leave before you earn those days back, it gets deducted from your last check.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by Becks3 2013-01-03 02:14:20
rachel potter
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by mmh1019 2013-01-03 02:38:51
I've seen Once twice and unfortunately missed Steve both times. The first time was the weekend his mom died, so it was an emotional performance from the whole cast. The 2nd time (Labor Day weekend) he had taken a vacation, and I just didn't hear about that in time. Ben Hope went on for both shows, and he was really really strong the 2nd time I saw it. The first time I think it was only his 2nd or 3rd time going on so he was visibly shaky & nervous.
Steve Kazee -- In or out?
Posted by AC126748 2013-01-03 07:54:44
I saw the matinee yesterday and the full cast was in.
