Greg Jbara Discussion - ONLY

Gregory Jbara Discussion Thread - All welcome, but NO SPAM Please
Posted On: 8/26/05 at 03:40:19 AM by: JbaraFan1

First of all, if the mods feel this is repetitive or itself spamming, they can delete it, but please hear me out first.

I'm not dissing the other thread at all, but at the same I happen to know that some fans of Greg's have been turned off by a lot of what goes on in the love thread. I appreciate the regular posters on the "love threads" and their enthusiasm for Greg and their determination to keep the thread at the top, but at the same time I know where fans like Ali are coming from when they are critical of (dare I say it) frivolous posts (some of which, admittedly, may have at times been my own). And it goes without saying that Greg appreciates all his fans and their support.

However, and again, here's the reason for this new thread ... there are those, and this includes FANS ... who might genuinely like to discuss things related to Greg and his career, whether Broadway, movies or tv, but are a bit put off by things in the love thread such as all the animated gifs postings and so many completely off-the-topic-of-Greg posts there.

So hopefully this thread can be a place where all fans - and that includes those who post on the love thread, should any besides me venture over here - (or anyone) can come and post more ... (dare I say it?) relevant ... messages about Greg -- not chitchat; not image-posting contests; not weather reports and class schedules; not even play-by-play discussion of what's happening on Greg's cam on his webcam days; all that can stay on the love thread, far as I'm concerned. (Not that my concerns should concern anyone.) :)

I know there are people out there who stay away from the other thread but who are also admirers of Greg, of his career and talents. This thread is meant to be an alternative to the other thread, not "better than" it. A thread for those who feel lost or out of place when they venture onto the other one. Lord knows "Aunt Barb" here loves ya, kiddos ... but if I'm honest here, I have to admit that there are times I feel like one of those lost and out of place ones in the love thread. I'm just sayin' ...
I truly hope I'm not stepping on any toes, because that's really not my intention, and I hope all will take this in the spirit in which it's intended. Love threaders, know that I think you're terrific. I just want other Greg fans to feel like there's a place for them too.

If this topic moves off page one and beyond, so be it. I have enough faith to believe that if it does, it will eventually move back up again when someone has something to say. But whatever happens, let's just let it happen naturally to this thread. It's cool.

So to perhaps actually start the discussion, I'd like to hear from those who saw Greg on (or off-) Broadway in the past, before DRS. How was he in those earlier productions (Damn Yankees, Victor/Victoria, etc.); how does the Greg Jbara of those days compare to the Greg Jbara performing eight shows a week these days in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels? Has his acting gotten better? Stayed the same? If you've also followed his film and tv career, how would you answer the previous two questions in light of seeng his film and tv roles over the past several years?

I've only seen Greg live on stage in DRS. And I've seen V/V on video. I'm not much of a critic as far as pin-pointing, but just as a member of the audience (live or in my living room), I thought Greg was great in V/V, but I think he's better than great in DRS. I can judge perhaps better when it comes to his on screen roles ... I think he keeps getting better and better at the craft of acting. Right now probably my favorite role that I've had the pleasure of watching Greg in was his guest star role on Century City as the father of a gay teenage son. CBS cancelled the series one episode, I believe, shy of airing this one ("Sweet Child of Mine"), but it shows up on some hi-def channel schedules (UHD, HDNET, I think) ... and I've heard rumors that there are "other ways" to get hold of this episode. :) I can find something to admire about any role I've ever seen Greg in (some simply because he can make me laugh so easily), but I don't know if anything I've ever seen him in has made me any prouder to actually know this man and call him my friend than his portrayal on that CC episode. Has anyone else seen it? It just touches me to the core everytime I view it.

I'm going to shut up, sit back, and see where this takes us.
(Hope I'm not double or multi-posting; keep getting a "that page isn't here" when I hit post.)

Love and Peace,
Barb


(Here's the link to the Greg Jbara Love Thread Pt. 3!)

Updated On: 2/14/06 at 03:43 AM

Victor/Victoria dvd ... Amazon.com has it for $17.99. I just checked and right now it's saying ony 4 in stock, but says more on the way.
Also says "63 used and new from $9.99".
V/V 1995 Broadway Production

Thank you Barb. I appreciate what you're trying to do here - as you know only too well! There is this incredibly wonderful group of young folks over on the other thread who were attracted there because of their admiration for Greg. It's encouraging to know that they are drawn to someone as terrific and downright decent as Greg is. It's a testament to Greg (and Lord knows - he deserves it) and it's a testament to their good taste!

Having said that though..... I just couldn't go through any more pages of cartoon gifs, monkeys, one-word-posts-made-to-make-the-thread-as-long-as-possible, endless comments on the sexiness of bell boys, etc. One time I saw that thread go for over 4 pages, praising everything and everyone under the sun EXCEPT Greg Jbara. It gradually became less and less about him and more and more about everything else.

This thread probably won't be self sustaining simply because the sort of fans it addresses don't spend all their spare time on this board - or on the Internet for that matter. Still, it's wonderful knowing that a place exists for them to comment when they are here.

Now - I did see Greg in Victor/Victoria. I was really excited about this show because I loved the movie so much. I'm afraid I was basically disappointed in most of the major players though. Julie (who I adore) was unable to sing as well as before and this hurt the most. Add to that the fact that Tony Roberts, who I've never liked in ANYTHING was attempting to replace the irreplacable Robert Preston. MAJOR disappointment! Michael Nouri registered zero. I didn't like him or dislike him. I couldn't even remember him 2 minutes after he left the stage.

The two major highlights of the show were Rachel York and Gregory Jbara. I would have said that anyone trying to replace Lesley Ann Warren was also facing an impossible task. But Rachel did it and she was WONDERFUL in it! And Greg Jbara? I LOVED THAT GUY! He was just wonderful. My greatest frustration came at the end with that mini-aria. Why in the world was that his only chance to sing? STUPID STUPID STUPID!

I'd never seen Greg in anything before that and (as you know) I've only seen him one time - and for one act only - since then. But I became a fan with V/V and I remain one now. The one show I probably regret not seeing the most was his Billy Flynn in Chicago. Do you know what dates he performed and who played his Roxie and Velma?

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Updated On: 8/26/05 at 08:52 AM

Just kidding.

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ck, you're funny.

In the B'way production of Chicago, Greg replaced James Naughton as Billy Flynn sometime in 1997. I don't know exact dates or just who played his Roxie and Velma while he was in the show (I know! some great official site webmaster I am!), but if I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure Marilu Henner played Roxie during that time ... not sure if she was the only one or not. I've emailed Greg and when I hear back from him, I'll post any further info he relays.

Of course some Broadway-savvy Jbara/Chicago fan may beat me to it. :) Checked IBDB but it doesn't specify Greg's dates.

edited in PS ... dug this info up from an old "news" page of the web site; gives more "Greg as Billy Flynn" info, but these don't have to do with his Broadway role either ... thought I'd post it anyway:

CHICAGO APPEARANCES (this is other than on Broadway)

LAS VEGAS
January 18-February 27, 2000 - Mandalay Bay Theatre
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'ROXIE' COMPANY (National Tour)
August 17 - August 22, 1999 -Peace Center for the Performing Arts
Greenville, SC.

October 12-17, 1999 - University of Arizona

January 11 through January 16, 2000 - Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Updated On: 8/26/05 at 10:40 AM

I like the idea of this thread as well Barb. I go back and forth on the other one.

I didn't realize V/V was out on DVD, I also happen to love Rachel York, so maybe some of the libraries around here have it, I'll have to look into it.

I did see him in Damn Yankees, which I've mentioned was my first show...but I was 7 and really don't remember much.

I also saw the Friends episode...which I think was great for his ability to keep a straight face(he said he thinks that's the only reason he got the part), but that being the hard part, it's hard for it to be showy or people to realize how difficult at least I think that is.

May get around to renting Out-Of-Towners, In & Out, Midsummer Night's Dream...I saw them all quite a few years ago, but may go back and visit them.

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wrq, Greg only has one scene in The Out-of-Towners, but what a scene it is. Laugh out loud hilarious ... and he does it with a straight face too. One of the times I saw the movie at the theatre, there was one woman in the audience who just lost it when Greg says his quite memorable line during his scene. I was laughing at Greg on screen and laughing at her laughing at the same time. That scene still makes me laugh anytime I watch it. Greg's delivery of that one particular line is, IMO, sheer classic. Anyone who's seen it knows what I'm talking about! lol

If Greg were to take on Lawrence, I would be at the theater so fast to see that. Sadly I've only come into my Greg phase because of DRS and haven't seen him in anything before. Now that I know about the V/V DVD I will definately try to get my hands on a copy. I've also been trying to rent the Out of Towners. Is the movie worth watching just for Greg? Plus are there any audio recordings out there of Greg in Chicago? I would love to hear him do Billy's number, I can only imagine he'd be fantastic.

Mamie - don't you mean "Love Sneaked In"

I think he is a master of accents and disguising his voice.

Between the way he sounds as Andre, in real life, and then on Drat! you would never know he is the same person.

I am also planning on getting First Lady Suite, as LaChiua is one of my favorite composers and Greg is on that CD.

Reviews on amazon actually gave him quite a good review.

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