Tina Goralski / Photo: Richard Ellis
Stage Manager Tina Goralski announced over Facebook this evening that she has been fired from The Gladstone’s production of Noises Off:
“Cat’s out of the bag. I was fired from Noises Off. It’s going to be a weird opening but I wish the cast and crew all the best. My heart is with you guys. Merde!”
The decision was made this morning by the show’s producer Steve Martin, who is the owner of the building, as well as an actor in this production that opens The Gladstone’s second season in Ottawa. The reasons for dismissal seemed to be based on personal differences, with no specific incident indicated as the main cause.
The production is currently in tech week and it is set to open one week from now on September 3rd; it runs for five and a half weeks until October 10.
The show will go on, regardless, with the three Assistant Stage Managers – Allye Vice, Hilary Nichol, and Sean Green – that worked with Goralski on the show until this point. There has been no mention of finding another person to take on the official role of the Stage Manager.
As seen in this video created by actor/blogger Kris Joseph, Noises Off is an incredibly tech heavy show that requires an able production team to succeed. For the sake of the cast and crew, here’s hoping things go smoothly nonetheless.
I’m very surprised and disappointed to hear this especially after director John P. Kelly had this to say of Tina’s work:
“Tina is a genius,” says the director. “She has tracked every single prop in the show, so if we need to know where a prop is at any point in the play, she can tell us. I’ve never worked on a play with as many properties as this one has!”
http://www.culturemagazine.ca/theatre/crazy_mayhem_of_a_show_coming_to_the_gladstone_theatre.html
Useful post. I hope you track the story.
Thanks for that quote, Wayne! Great article, too.
I’m not going to write any more on this story, Sterling. Anything else I’ve heard is speculation or gossip, and I don’t want things to get nasty. I just wanted to state the facts as I know them and leave things at that.
Catch me over coffee, though, and I might tell ya different… Plus you need to tell me about Fringe! See you at Planet sometime?
I totally understand why you want to let the story go. I also wholly support your point that you don’t want to engage in speculation or gossip.
Having said that, there is a story here with facts that can be corroborated through interviews, etc. and the mainstream arts media is unlikely to cover it.
You, of course, have no obligation to cover the story, but, generally speaking, I think it would be a sign of maturity in the Ottawa arts media, if someone covered it.
And yes, coffee, soon. :)
Although we all know there are two sides to all stories……..I’d love to hear the other side actually since Tina posted her side. But doubt we will hear it. Onwards and upwards. I am going opening night and sitting behind Sterling – so wait for those wet willies Mr. Lynch…hee hee hee (evil laughter).
(Cult)ure did ask the Gladstone’s publicist for their side of the story. Link below:
http://www.culturemagazine.ca/829_gladstone_theatre_fires_noises_off_stage_manager.html
I spoke with Crystal also. But there was nothing new to report based on our conversation (nothing ‘on the record’ anyway), so I’m leaving this piece as is.
That makes sense to me Jessica. As you know, there is not much new in that statement. The update is largely a link to your initial post, which was very well done. I felt it was worth posting the link to Kevin’s update here only because Chantale asked about the Gladstone’s side of the story. I’m pretty sure that is the only place where an official statement has been given (as brief as it is).
In other news, I’m going to the show tomorrow night. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m definitely in the mood for something light.
Personal differences or not. Get over it. Who the hell in his her right mind fires a stage manger this close to opening night. What is this, high school.
This is old news, Jess! The show is going fine, by the way.
And yes, I’ve found that much of adult life is like high school.
Jon Alexander has been fired from Arts Court. His support of Tg in this instance was heartfelt and deep. His dismissal from AC will soon evince major management failures at that charity not-for-profit organization, very similar to those failures of vision which plagued The Gladstone in years past.