Natalie Mendoza Concussion
Apparently the show must go on, even if your lead actress has suffered a concussion.
The new $65 million Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” has been plagued by problems and mishaps. During its first preview performance last Sunday, actress Natalie Mendoza was hit in the head by a rope that was holding a piece of equipment, The New York Times reported Saturday. The accident happened when the actress was standing offstage.
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/concussion-sidelines-spider-man-actress/?ref=theater
And even though the director and producers knew that their lead actress had suffered a concussion from that blow, Mendoza acted in the show’s second performance Wednesday night against the advice of her doctor, according to The Times and the actress’s spokesman.
I guess Mendoza hasn’t been reading the sports section and all of its stories about the dangers of not taking it easy when one sustains brain injury like a concussion. And I guess her director and the show’s producers haven’t been reading those stories, either.
That’s foolish behavior on everyone’s part, particularly Mendoza.
Her spokesman told The Times that the actress didn’t tell the show’s producers about the accident Sunday because she didn’t think she was hurt. Mendoza went to her doctor Monday, who said she had a concussion. Her sent her to a specialist, who was then hired by the production. That specialist agreed that Mendoza had a concussion.
Tuesday morning Mendoza tweeted a one word message: “Concussion.” She also told the production about her concussion diagnosis on Tuesday.
And then she performed Wednesday, which was not a good idea, as anyone who knows anything about concussions would know. By the end of the show, Mendoza had a headache and was nauseous, The Times reported.
She didn’t perform last Thursday, and it was announced on Friday that she will be on hiatus from the play for a brief period.
So far three “Spider-Man” actors have been hurt as the production prepares for its Jan. 11 opening. Mendoza plays the villainess Arachne.
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Brain damage affects the way we see the world. Look at Terry Pratchett – he is a prime example. he is slowly losing his visual skills due to the progress of posteria cortical atrophy (PCA) and he says ‘I’m slipping away a bit at a time… and all I can do is watch it happen’ (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1070673/Terry-Pratchett-Im-slipping-away-bit-time–I-watch-happen.html#ixzz17Yw5Z1Qq)
I am concerned about the chikld that is born braindamaged and cannot ‘see’. Look up my blog if you are interested, I wouldlike toknow what you think… Askmo