LIBBY FROM SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH AS NESSA....WTF???!- Page 3

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 5:13pm

Jess,

But here's the deal. The original poster (either in all truthfulness or in jest) was unaware of Ms. Green's credits other than SABRINA. Let's face it, BARE was hardly THE PRODUCERS when it comes to national attention or staying power. So it's not completely out of the realm of possibility that her musical theatre background may have been unknown to him/her. So to them, it's stunt casting.

As for changing dances/songs, it's honestly not for you (or me) to decide. It's for the production team. And the examply I'm going to use is that mistress of the stage, Melanie Griffith. Ann Reinking chose to change the dances for her, and asserted that Ms. Griffith is exactly the kind of performer Bob Fosse would have loved. Indeed, there were critics and audiences who thought she brought something quite wonderful to the role of Roxie Hart (thought many here will also tell you that she was terrible).

Sometimes 'stunt' casting works...sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it works for some, but not for all. It's all a matter of opinion.

I just wanted to remind everyone here that one should be careful how one presents one's opinion, lest they be called a hypocrite.

[Jess1483]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 5:21pm

I wasn't implying that it was up to me...Anyway, changing songs and dances because someone can't do them the way they're written is very different from choosing to change them for artistic reasons. (I honestly don't know about the Griffith issue, so I can't comment.) And, unlike, Rent, I doubt Wicked is going to be billing its show as "with Jenna Leigh Green from Sabrina, The Teenage Witch." And if they do, that will be a different issue.
And I don't think I'm being hypocritical, since I don't believe I've ever said "I hate stunt casting." But again, I didn't think your original post was directed at me.
And changing one's mind is not being a hypocrite. I've reconsidered some of my reservations surrounding stunt casting because I think Drew's doing a decent job in Rent and I've heard Brooke is pretty good in WT.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 5:26pm

To clarify, no, I was not speaking directly to you.

And changing one's mind is not only not being a hypocrite, it's a wonderful trait that is grossly underrated.

The reason I use the word 'hypocrite' is some of the people posting here in defense of Ms. Green are the very same who freak out over other 'stars' coming to Broadway. And I know for a fact that some of them have never even seen the performances they are decrying.

That's all.

[Jess1483]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 5:58pm

That's fair then, and nice use of the word "decry," I thoroughly enjoy that word.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 6:00pm

It, too, is one of my favorite words.

[capnkidd]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 6:21pm

I agree that 'decry' is a great word,and applaud you for using it-also agree this example isn't stunt casting,a practise I deplore,especially when the actor in question doesn't really have the chops for the role.
Having said that,I would rather see stunt casting rather than another dark theatre....and if tourists want to pay to see tv or movie stars on broadway,I say by god let them...

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/29/04 at 9:10pm

She's understudying Elphaba, too? Yay!