Da'Vine Joy Randolph out of GHOST tonight

[basketcase]

@doodle, I agree completely. I actually liked the show enough, and thought Caissie, Richard and Bryce were all great, but Da'Vine seemed incredibly uncomfortable. Specifically in "I'm Outta Here" it seemed as if all of the stage presence she brought up until that point completely disappeared and she seemed not only uncomfortable with the blocking, but uneasy with the words as well. Judging by the raves on this board, I thought I was the only one who noticed that. For one of the only uptempo songs in the entire show, that number fell flat for me.

This is based off of first-preview though, and I heard later that they hadn't even had a proper dress rehearsal, so I'm trying to cut her some slack.

[bjh2114]

She seemed to know it at the curtain call too.

Really? Is THAT why she got the loudest applause of everyone on stage? The applause seriously died down for Richard and Caissie after her bow.

[Patash]

So who's out of the show tonight? I keep looking at tickets on line, and tickets keep appearing (at discount) then disappearing. As if there were a lot of returns going on today. I just missed two seats that suddenly appeared for front row mezzanine.

[doodlenyc]

I didnt say she didnt get the loudest applause. She certainly did, but my point was that SHE didnt seem to enjoy it and my interpretation was that she didnt feel she deserved it.

[Patash]

An actress able to convey to the audience giving her the loudest applause that she didn't deserve it and that she didn't enjoy the applause? Wow! She must be one hell of an actress!!!

[doodlenyc]

All I can say is she seemed unhappy and couldnt wait to leave the stage. The rest was my interpretation of why she might act that way.

It has nothing to do with her performance. Sorry if my opinion of her performance is not in line with those who enjoyed her more.

It's early in previews. I'm hopeful she improves, but to award her a Tony nomination seems premature, imo.

[jamiekennywicked]

Moya is on again tonight.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

W'TF?

[ACL2006]

I would have to wonder if she's out a considerable amount between now & mid-April that she just might get replaced by Angela by opening night(April 23).

[doodlenyc]

I have to say this is strange. She's never going to get the hang of those suitcases if she's out of the show!

Moya did make me lough out loud at one point as one of the sisters. During their opening number she hit herself in the face with her tambourine while filled with the holy spirit. Her expression was hilarious.

[kyl3fong2]

Does anyone know why Randolph keeps taking off so many nights? The show has barely even done two weeks of previews and she has missed the bulk of the performances.

[CurtainPullDowner]

I'm guessing she is sick.

[bwaylvsong]

I'd assume she needs bed rest and would rather be out now than sick or out when the critics review the show.

[somethingwicked]

Moya Angels is a knockout in the role, though I hope Randolph recovers quickly from what's plaguing her.

It's odd to me that Josh Young has been out just as frequently over at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (including for the press performances over the last few days and, quite possibly, the actual opening,) and yet no one is making near as big a deal out of his absences as those on this board seem to be about Randolph's. Yes, hers are happening incredibly early on, but his have been fairly consistent in previews too.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Somethingwicked, it's just happenstance, someone went the 2nd night, she was out and they started a thread. I'm surprised to hear Josh is missing previews during critic's shows.
And it's actually just a handful of us here concerned for Da'Vine and her future with the show.

[p.s.]

Does anyone know why Randolph keeps taking off so many nights?

I was told tonight that she is indeed sick. Throat trouble. Subject to doctor's approval, she will be on about every other night.


p.s. She's on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule.

[KylePKJP]

There is a virus running through several companies right now. Steve Kazee tweeted this AM "It is just sick season on Broadway. Get well everyone!"

It has to suck knowing your show is about to open but you're too sick to be there.

[chrisampm2]

CurtainPullDowner, you may be right that it's just a handful of you here "concerned" for Da'Vine and "her future with the show." But the first time she missed a show, the conjecture here was focused to a large degree on whether she was up to the demands of a Broadway sched. And questioning whether it's prudent to "sit out and rest" during early previews, makes it seem she's had a choice. That doesn't seem like concern for her physical well-being, but concern over her judgement. When you're very sick, you're very sick and returning early, as Bernadette Peters and her fans well know, can be counter-productive, creating long-term problems.

I hope she's a trouper and think she deserves the benefit of the doubt.

[nasty_khakis]

I'm not doubting that she's actually sick, but I think it's just bad press and highly suspicious. Granted I saw the first preview and she was on and fantastic so I doubt producers are trying to fire her but I'd be more afraid of an Eve Harrington situation.

The Superstar situation is different only in the fact he's been doing this show for months now and the producers have had many opportunities to oust him if they wanted to.

[chrisampm2]

You're not doubting she's sick, but think it's highly suspicious and fear an Eve Harrington situation. So now we've gone from questioning Randolph's professionalism to questioning Moya's ethics and, what, criminality? Do you think Moya's drugging her?

[nasty_khakis]

HA. Sorry, no actual shade at Moya who I am sure is fabulous in the role and is a lovely woman who rescues kittens in her free time. I just meant that the producers/director get used to seeing her on, love her in the role, and give her opening night or she takes over the role fully. This situation happens very often. I HOPE there is nothing seriously wrong and Randolph will be back in the role full time very soon. :)

[showtoones]

Does anyone know if Da'Vine Joy Randolph will do both shows on Saturday? Or if not, which show she is scheduled to do? I would assume she would do the evening, but just asking....

ST

[Patash]

Saw the show last night from front row mezzanine (TKTS seats last minute). I forgot to check the board in the lobby, but there were no "slips" in my program so I assumed we were seeing Da'vine, but when we came out, our friends who had been in the last row of the orchestra (TDF tickets which were horrible), informed us that they did get slips in their programs and we had been watching Moya. She was OK, better than the one I saw in London. But our friends could not understand a word she said or sang -- admittedly the sound is really horrible in the last row under the balcony. My biggest gripe with the show is that is so over amplified, even Cassie's voice which I thought was beautiful in London comes off more screechy than pretty here -- I found myself wincing several times and thought dogs would come running. Why do they feel that pop or rock shows have to be deafening?

[basketcase]

Da'Vine is out again tonight. So much for the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule.

Having seen Da'Vine and Moya now, I actually preferred Moya.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

The sound design was awful the night I saw the show. The orchestra sounds great, but it consistently drowns out the performers.

[showtoones]

Does anyone know if Divine is back in the show tonight?