The Rise, Fall & Comeback of Sara Gettelfinger

[quizking101]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 4:22pm

Just read this story about the harrowing decade she’s had in terms of recovering from addiction, a suicide attempt, and legal troubles and how she managed to find her way back to the stage.

I applaud her courage to speak out about her trials in life since it takes a lot to be this publicly vulnerable

https://www.broadway.com/buzz/204036/sara-gettelfinger-on-her-broadway-rise-devastating-downfall-and-clear-eyed-comeback-in-water-for-elephants/

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 4:47pm

She’s done a few podcasts telling her story and I also really applaud her being so vulnerable and honest about her journey. I wasn’t super familiar with her but had definitely heard her name before (you don’t forget a name like Gettelfinger)! I knew she had originated a few roles on Broadway. Sometimes when someone disappears from the Broadway scene after a few shows you don’t know why - and it’s not really our business.
 

She did say that Rick Elice that wrote Water for Elephants is an old friend and gave her the role of Barbara - she clearly has a lot of people in her corner that have been rooting for her. Glad she is back on the boards and hopefully more roles will follow :)

 

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[uncageg]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 5:00pm

Thanks for posting this. Saw her in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Had no clue she had been through all of this. I tape The Broadway Show so will watch the interview this evening.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 5:16pm

uncageg said: "Thanks for posting this. Saw her in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Had no clue she had been through all of this. I tape The Broadway Show so will watch the interview this evening."

The TV version of it for the Broadway Show is severely truncated and doesn't really get into the worst of it, fyi. The Broadway.com video linked here is a half-hour video just on her.

An amazing story and I'm glad she's found happiness and sobriety and that she's enjoying her return to Broadway. Hopefully better roles will follow!

Updated On: 4/18/24 at 05:16 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 6:32pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "uncageg said: "Thanks for posting this. Saw her in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Had no clue she had been through all of this. I tape The Broadway Show so will watch the interview this evening."

The TV version of it forthe Broadway Show is severely truncated and doesn't really get into the worst of it, fyi. The Broadway.com video linked here is a half-hour video just on her.

An amazing story and I'm glad she's found happiness and sobriety and that she's enjoying her return to Broadway. Hopefully better roles will follow!"

 

Thanks for pointing that out. I read it but didn't pay attention to the video run time. I suspect I may have realized it after watching the show and she probably would have said to see the full interview on the website. Will watch it on my laptop.

 

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 8:06pm

The longer Broadway.com interview was fascinating and emotional.  Cheers to Sara for making it through, and to Sara and Paul Wontorek for sharing the story, which will hopefully reach others in the same situation.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 8:14pm

good for her. i think i saw her in Grey Gardens, maybe off broadway, and she was fantastic. And she brings some great moments to Water for Elephants. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 8:27pm

I’ve loved her for so long and having addicts in my family, I know how hard it can be to be as open and honest as she is here. I hope this show is just the beginning of the comeback she deserves. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 8:29pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "good for her. i think i saw her in Grey Gardens, maybe off broadway, and she was fantastic. And she brings some great moments to Water for Elephants."

She played Young Little Edie in the Off-Broadway incarnation of GREY GARDENS. Erin Davie played the role in the Broadway production. 

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 4/18/24 at 9:15pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "good for her. i think i saw her in Grey Gardens, maybe off broadway, and she was fantastic. And she brings some great moments to Water for Elephants."

She got fired from Grey Gardens because of her addictions. Here’s the a link to the podcast where she goes over her whole career https://cbroadwaypodcast.podbean.com/e/sara-gettelfinger/