Broadway Successes through Reality Shows

The Grease reality show is the only reality show I've ever watched, but I have to admit that I did get hooked on that. Laura Osnes' talent jumped off the screen and I was thrilled to see her win. Since then it has been delightful to watch her grow and have more and more professional success. Laura has deeply involved herself in the Broadway community, performing at charity fund raisers, Broadway in the Park, Sondheim's birthday concert and playing in the B'way softball league. I think that this has helped her to overcome the "stigma" of the reality show. That, her sweet and humble personality, and her obvious talent have shown people that she is committed to B'way theater and that she is for real. The runner up in the Grease competition, Ashley Spencer, is currently a Diva in Priscilla.

Internet, television and talent competitions are new ways of marketing performers, and I suspect that they will all lose their stigma soon- just like having a nightclub act in the days of cabaret performing was a good way to market oneself to other audiences beyond open calls, this soon will become a common thing as well.