Who would've ever thought starring in a Disney Broadway musical could be so life threatening?
Unfortunately that was the case for 51-year old actor-singer Adrian Bailey, who severely injured himself during a May 10 matinee performance of 'The Little Mermaid.'
Bailey fell through a trap door on the deck of a suspended boat prior to the start of the performance, which lead the actor to suffer from fractured wrists, a broken back, a shattered pelvis, a fractured sternum, several fractured ribs and a fractured foot.
All of this for Ariel?
Following the accident, a court petition was filed on May 14 with the Manhattan Supreme Court. Now the singing actor is filing a lawsuit against Disney.
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In addition to filing legal action against the entertainment powerhouse, which also produces 'Mary Poppins' and 'The Lion King' on Broadway, Bailey has also named theater manufacture companies George Tsypin Design, Showman Fabricators Inc. and Niscon in the same suit.
According to 'Backstage' magazine, Bailey is seeking unspecified monetary compensation and argues that his injuries "were caused by the carelessness, negligence and recklessness of the defendants" and adds that there were inadequate "warnings and/or safety devices" that could have prevented his accident.
Sounds like Bailey may have a nice piece of change coming his way.
Despite taking legal action, Bailey's everyday living has changed drastically. So drastic that the Broadway actor is having difficulties caring for himself.
"My life has been changed forever. It will never be the same," he told the magazine. "My immediate goal is to somehow be able to walk up to my own apartment and care for myself. I try to stay positive. I look forward to being made whole some day and being fully compensated for my injuries."
There was no comment provided by Disney at press time.
Comments: (121)
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By: Dale on 9/27/2008 9:44AM
I wish Adrian Bailey a speedy recovery and hope he wins his suit. I remember him from "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and he's an excellent performer.
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By: Linda on 9/27/2008 9:50AM
I pray for this gentleman. I know his life is changed forever, not only physically, but mentally. Yeah, he will get a good sum of money, but money doesn't always fix things. You can have a lot of money in the bank but say to yourself, if I could only do what i was once able to do. God Bless.
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By: ugottabekiddnme on 9/27/2008 10:24AM
wow! go get em
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By: OSCAR RIZO on 9/28/2008 11:21PM
This is Oscar, your old friend from 1974ish sending you all of my hearfelt Love and Faith.
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By: keisha brown on 9/29/2008 8:11PM
Whoever did this article, you are ignorant. Money means nothing if you don't have your health. This man has been performing since way back in the early 80's. Disney had little regard for the dancer and actors in the Loin King, many back have been ruined I hear from that show. Bringing this kind of theatre which is like theme park theatre and making folks do it 8 times a week is crazy. It was bound to happen. I hope he wipes them off the face of the planet with punitive and monetary damages. It will never bring back the incredible talent this man has but he will at least be able to take care of himself. The union Actors equity should also be included in this because they allowed it to happen in the first place. I wish you well Adrian you will be fierce again.It may take time but it will happen.
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By: Nate Chappelle on 9/30/2008 11:55AM
I feel for you,but it sound's like you are following the advice of your lawyer"made whole again"is a legal term.Or 25% of what ever you recover.Get well soon.
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By: Mitch on 9/30/2008 4:10PM
Sounds like this actor will need the money to pay for his medical expenses and long-term care, not to go out and having a wild spending spree. His injuries are quite serious and his needs will require expensive treatment over the years ahead. Good luck to you sir.
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By: Kim on 9/30/2008 8:25PM
I think he did it on purpose.
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By: Suzanne Davis on 9/30/2008 4:21PM
"The mind and body do not always heal at the same pace--but heal they do."
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By: Ms. Femi on 9/30/2008 4:24PM
Andrian has been a wonderful actor, dancer, singer who down has to learn just to walk again. I hope that he will be compensated. He is a professional.
I have worked with him and my heart goes out to this wonderful performer who has been hurt so badly.
Disney has a reputation of "not caring"...
I wish Andrian the very best and I pray that he will be compensated though as someone else said, one's physical health is one's lively hood.
Best to you Andrian!!
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