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A few questions for those "in the biz"

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#1

A few questions for those "in the biz"

Posted: 7/28/10 at 4:25pm

Since I don't know any Broadway actors well enough to ask these questions, I'll ask them here, so if any of you are Broadway actors or know the answers, I'd love to hear from you.

First, I have to assume that actors read reviews, and most are elated by raves and crushed by pans (though perhaps some are more capable than others of just shrugging the bad ones off.) But, my questions is, do any actors take "notes" from reviews, and make any (and I'd assume very subtle) changes based on a review, let's say, of Ben Brantley (to name just one of many.) And my second question is, do many actors in shows read the Broadway chat boards, either this, ATC or both? And if so, do you (or they) ever post?
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#2

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 4:39pm

There have been legendary posts from those in the biz.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#3

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 4:49pm

Each actor is different. Some never read reviews, others live by them. I would think that NONE would take NOTES from them. At least not without talking to their director.

However, I have seldom seen reviews that give that specific of "suggestions" that could be taken as notes.

I'm sure they are more crushed by a poor box office. Who cares what critics think as long as you have a job. (See: Addams Family!)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#4

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 4:50pm

1) I would HOPE that actors do not change their performances based on reviews! Generally speaking, once a show opens it is what we call "frozen" and performances change very little.

2) Several people in the theatre community, including actors, do read these and other message boards. In the past, some have posted, yes, including Marc Shaiman, Lin-Manuel Mirada, and Anthony Rapp.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#7

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:02pm

I am aware of what it means for a show to be frozen. I have a kid who is an AEA stage manager. One of the reason I asked is that I noticed a very subtle change in the performance of Leigh Ann Larkin singing "The Miller's Son" in ALNM shortly after Brantley's review came out. Though very sensual (and wonderful in my opinion), she seemed to have toned down some of her, in Ben's words, "autoerotic gestures that suggest an audition for a pole-dancing position." So, I wondered at the time whether that was a conscious response to his review. Maybe someone who knows her can ask her.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#8

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:04pm

and Anthony Rapp.

I heard about that. LOL!!

Anyone who had a negative view of the RENT movie received a PM from him berating them.

Lin & Marc are always positive posters.

Then there was Carly Jibson, who apparently no one believed was her.

Orfeh...
#9

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:04pm

I'm an equity actress and I'll be honest and say that I've never had more than a sentence written about me in local reviews but I would never take "notes" from a review without consulting my director and making sure they agreed in the change.
#12

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:29pm

Then there was Carly Jibson, who apparently no one believed was her

Oh no, we believed. We just couldn't believe her.
#16

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:49pm

Oh, I had totally forgotten about that one!


Good times.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#17

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:50pm

Oy. I don't have time to explain it now. Perhaps someone else who remembers can share. She was a real mess.

#18

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 5:55pm

I can't remember what sparked it, but I do remember that the meltdown was epic in proportion. EPIC.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#21

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 6:12pm

Nathan Lane has posted here at BWW and I received an e-mail from him chewing me out for some things I said about him. I haven't seen his screen name pop up here in some time though.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#22

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 6:13pm

Brooke Tansley has been on here answering questions for people. She was very nice and answered everything with a very thorough answer.
#23

A few questions for those 'in the biz'

Posted: 7/28/10 at 6:17pm

I bumped up the "NOT DEAD!" thread about a year or two after its final post and it got deleted. A few questions for those 'in the biz'
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

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