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Post by clairemb on Jul 19, 2017 12:48:47 GMT
Missed Amber Riley in January due to her being ill will pneumonia. I Enjoyed the show (my husband did not like it at all)
Decided to try again to see Amber (as my guilty pleasure is glee)... checked her holiday dates etc and booked to go on saturday 15 jul with my daughter. (tickets were quite expensive)
When we arrived I found Amber was not on show again... one of the ushers said she was off ill.
May have to give up on trying to see Amber as my daughter was not keen on it either.
Chances of seeing her are now slim. Will have to be in London which costs me a small fortune on the train and check at the Savoy to see if she is on. but i don't think i will be able to persuade my family to come with me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 14:09:01 GMT
The website has said she would be doing 7 out of 8 perfs since day 1. As far as I'm concerned that is advertising on the basis of Amber's name. It might not say it now, but what about all of the people who booked in advance using that publicised schedule only to have it changed now? Not good enough and yet more evidence of Sonia F treating her paying customers shabbily. I don't think that counts as advertising on the basis of her name at all - if it did, then An American in Paris are also advertising on the basis of their stars, but I doubt many people could name them. All the website is doing is informing people that the actress cast as lead Effie does not do all the performances. I think some people on here are slightly over-stating how famous Amber Riley is - Glee was several years ago and although it was popular it was still fairly niche, and Amber was not the main star. She hasn't done much since to bring her to the attention of the general public in the UK aside from a few TV appearances for Dreamgirls. Yes, she is obviously the most high profile person in the cast, but I don't think that means they are in any way advertising based on her name. They are simply stating what her schedule is intended to be, while at the same time making it very clear that no cast member can be guaranteed to appear. If you want to (or have to) take the risk of booking in advance then that's up to you, but it doesn't entitle you to see Amber. This has never been "Amber Riley in Dreamgirls". |
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Post by showtoones on Jul 19, 2017 15:28:17 GMT
Amber was always scheduled to do too many shows IMHO. It's too big of a sing for someone who hasn't really done stage work before. As far as Marisha being put off when the audience is annoyed she is on - she is a professional and I doubt takes it personally. it has nothing to do with her and all to do with the fact that Amber is off. 99% of the audience has never heard of her so they don't know if she is good or bad and the fun part of being an understudy is winning an audience over.
But I agree that Sonia Friedman is really bungling up this announcement. Just be transparent with the paying public and explain what is happening.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 19, 2017 15:46:00 GMT
So....the drama continues....so how many shows a week is Amber scheduled to do now? It really should be made clear as other posters have said. Frankly, I don't think it is a bigger sing than Evita or Elphaba for example.
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 19, 2017 15:46:13 GMT
Having seen both now, I would agree Marisha is the better actress. Some of Amber's mannerism's and acting style were very "stage school" and technical. Marisha gave a more nuanced, naturalistic performance.
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Post by distantcousin on Jul 19, 2017 16:05:38 GMT
After 2 shows, I've still never seen Liisi!
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Post by showtoones on Jul 19, 2017 16:31:40 GMT
Has Karen improved? It seems like Marisha goes on more than Amber and Karen hardly gets to go on...
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Post by d'James on Jul 19, 2017 16:35:29 GMT
We should make Dreamgirls Bingo cards.
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Post by samjane92 on Jul 19, 2017 16:58:59 GMT
A quick search for Amber Riley in my emails brings up 7 ticketmaster mailings, all based on seeing 'Glee star Amber Riley' in Dreamgirls. So I do think in this case it is marketed on her name. As Funny Girl was. A search for Robert Fairchild for example doesnt show anything so An American in Paris is quite different in my opinion. However if marketing has been sent out with their names on then the same applies.
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Post by music0fthenight on Jul 19, 2017 17:01:49 GMT
Bravo to Nicholas Bailey slaying it as Marty every time I've gone to see it! Amber who? Marisha who?
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Post by showtoones on Jul 19, 2017 17:03:47 GMT
Bravo to Nicholas Bailey slaying it as Marty every time I've gone to see it! Amber who? Marisha who? Thanks Nicholas for your comment and for joining this board! |
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Post by daniel on Jul 19, 2017 17:12:32 GMT
Bravo to Nicholas Bailey slaying it as Marty every time I've gone to see it! Amber who? Marisha who? Ironically he's off this week! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 19, 2017 17:26:14 GMT
A quick search for Amber Riley in my emails brings up 7 ticketmaster mailings, all based on seeing 'Glee star Amber Riley' in Dreamgirls. So I do think in this case it is marketed on her name. As Funny Girl was. A search for Robert Fairchild for example doesnt show anything so An American in Paris is quite different in my opinion. However if marketing has been sent out with their names on then the same applies. And a look at the Facebook and tripadvisor sites for The Savoy when Amber was off after christmas would leave no-one in any doubt as to who people were going to see. @posterj has been insisting that it's not Amber Riley's show since day one but I'm afraid it was, it is, and will continue to be until she officially leaves. And youre right, it was exactly the same with Sheridan and Funny Girl. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 17:46:18 GMT
i dont think its quite the same as Sheridan as she was the advertising. Same with Glenn Close in Sunset.
While Ambers name is definately being used to sell the shows its not quite to the same extent as Sunset and Funny Girl.
Even with Amber discount tickets have been pretty readily available through Todaytix for prime seats for last few months so assume they will be looking for a name to replace her
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 19, 2017 19:25:07 GMT
I don't recall Marisha or Karen promoting the show on the Royal Variety Performace. Who did that? Oh! Yes it was AMBER RILEY!
The absence of a face in a poster is irrelevant seeing that 90% of the booking public will not see a poster. They will see the star of the show on telly and say "ooh she's good, it's her from Glee. Let's go!"
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Post by daniel on Jul 19, 2017 20:56:40 GMT
In fairness, it's always going to be the leads performing at the Royal Variety, regardless of what show it is or how famous their stars are.
It's definitely not the same as Funny Girl/Gypsy/Sunset...she's not on any of the publicity, name or photo, so I don't see how it can be said that it's the same?
Yes, people absolutely are booking specifically to see Amber - as people often do book to see particular cast members, but the show certainly has not been sold solely off her back. Given that it's still busy when she's off kinda proves this. As a comparison, when Alexandra Burke was in the Bodygard, for the Liverpool run every evening (with Alex) was sold out, the matinees (with the alternate) were less than half full.
For me, a comparable example to Amber and Dreamgirls would be Alfie Boe/Matt Lucas in Les Mis...the fact that they were cast definitely shifted tickets, though the show wasn't peddled solely on them, and to the best of my knowledge they weren't on posters etc (though my memory is hazy so forgive me if I'm wrong!)
I can't think of any other examples right now (I'm sure one will come to me in the middle of the night) but I'm sure there must be other examples of shows that have "celebrities" cast, without them being the Marketing face of the production.
All of that aside though, Amber's attendance really has been sub-par - it's certainly not unreasonable for the paying public to expect her to be on 7 shows a week when that's how she's advertised, so you can absolutely see why people are somewhat peeved.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2017 21:19:25 GMT
I was going to reply but daniel already said what I was going to say better than I could have done. This is clearly not the same as Funny Girl or Sunset, hence why refunds or exchange are not being offered when Amber isn't on. |
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Post by d'James on Jul 20, 2017 18:19:01 GMT
Has Lily Frazer been on as Deena recently?
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Post by daniel on Jul 20, 2017 21:55:08 GMT
Has Lily Frazer been on as Deena recently? I think she had a show a couple of weeks ago, but Jocasta has had the most recent shows. Edit - I think Kimmy may have had one too, so all three of the Deena covers have been on now. |
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Post by d'James on Jul 20, 2017 21:56:03 GMT
Has Lily Frazer been on as Deena recently? I think she had a show a couple of weeks ago, but Jocasta has had the most recent shows. Fanks. I'd love to see Jocasta (or Liisi) as Deena. |
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Post by daniel on Jul 20, 2017 21:59:08 GMT
You'd love to see Jocasta as Liisi? That's an interesting one...  I know. I changed it but you got in there too soon :-p ooh I deleted it because your edit got in there before me and now I look crazy haha... Anyway, Jocasta is brilliant as Deena, and Liisi is phenomenal. I really liked the tone of Jocasta's voice but I think she needs a good run of shows to really nail the part - promising signs though from her for sure! |
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Post by d'James on Jul 20, 2017 22:02:35 GMT
Fair enough, I saw her in a couple of roles at In The Heights and she was very good at them all. She's such an expressive face.
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Post by daniel on Jul 20, 2017 22:17:10 GMT
Fair enough, I saw her in a couple of roles at In The Heights and she was very good at them all. She's such an expressive face. Yes agreed! She was off the first time I saw ITH (which was the night Phillipa Stefani made her Camilla debut) but when I returned Jocasta was doing her run as lead Daniela...she blew me away so much I went back the next week, something I never do! I believe she's officially first cover Deena...we'll have to keep ears open for Liisi's holiday dates. |
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Post by michalnowicki on Jul 21, 2017 11:32:49 GMT
I saw Dreamgirls on Saturday for the first time and I was extremely wowed by the production. I secretly hoped to see Amber, but after reading some positive comments about Marisha, I decided not to care which cast members I see.
Living in Edinburgh, you mostly get to see productions on tour, with limited, cut-down set. I was awestruck to see the costumes, the automation, the fluidity of it all. Breathtaking. The entire cast delivered perfectly.
As we were leaving the theatre, an audience member asked the member of theatre staff, if they are changing cast, because Deena said "This is the last time we will ever sing together"... bless her...
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Post by ali973 on Jul 21, 2017 11:43:21 GMT
As we were leaving the theatre, an audience member asked the member of theatre staff, if they are changing cast, because Deena said "This is the last time we will ever sing together"... bless her... hahaha! aw. She's so special that one. |
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