someone is going to want to hit me for this but....

[melodicminor]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 12:12am

Did you ever see a broadway show and think ... they're arent that good.

I go to school for musical theater( graduating soon ! ) , and I stress the fact that I am not a person who thinks they are the ****. at all. I genuienly love theater and performing. I admire and look up to many performers.

Sometimes when I see a show and the performances aren't that great...it makes me think that its pure luck if you make it in this industry. I can name 10 people i have heard doing community theater who are AMAZING compared. Even some of the most famous people out there today , sometimes I stop and go " hmm" I remember seeing idina menzel ( whom everyone LOVES ) in one of her last wicked performances, her singing made her sound like she was in pain.

I do not mean to sound like an ass! I was just wondering what theater majors thought of this...and how do you keep your hopes up when you are close to graduating?

:)

[AngActing]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 12:41am

Nope, it's happened to me numerous times!

In fact, one of the one's I saw is so famous . . .and my friend and I were "underwhelmed" and KNOW we could've done better! The other one is a Broadway LEGEND and just wasn't all that impressive. It could've been on off night, still.

Now, I've been at this for a long time . . .acting/singing . . .and certainly know I and many, many others are as good and oftentimes better than some of the folks on Broadway.

I believe it is just a matter of how much you want it and just a matter of timing when one "makes it". As Julia Murney (she was recently 'Elphaba' in Broadway's "Wicked") said to me, when I told her "You have my dream role!"

Julia said, "Come back tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. There's room for everyone!"

Of course, I truly heard what she was saying . . . "there's room for all of us on Broadway" or wherever we want to act/sing. It's just about continuing the journey, believing in it and going for it. And hey, if one finds it doesn't make you happy and one quits and becomes a mother or business person; or that a smaller town or community theatre, or film, makes one happier -- then so be it!

There's no failure if you do what makes your heart sing; even if that changes from show business to glass blowing! And it may change later in life, tomorrow or fifty years from now. I say take it one day at a time . . . and do it as long as it feels good!

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 12:48am

melodic-Oh if you only knew the stories I could tell you.

PM me if you ever want to know more.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 1:07am

Oh, all the time. Especially one guy who has originated a lot of great roles. When I saw him, I didn't know who he was, and I said to myself "he's just not good enough to be on Broadway." When I read his bio, I was shocked!

[melodicminor]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 1:16am

haha thank god you guys had the same reaction as me! Ha i told one of my friends this ( who is a wicked fanatic ) and she said " how can you say that?!?! they're amazing"

I guess at this point when I see professional performers I wonder " where can i fit in ? if ever"

I did a workshop with a famous composer and one of the performers in his show said " oh my gosh you sound just like her!" and i said "great wonderful , where does that leave me? its already been done"

I love what you said angacting. I think once you are a mature adult and truly involved in the theater world you start to realize that you might have a true chance at this ( at least thats how i feel ) you stop comparing yourself to the "professionals" and realize tommorow could be your day. I think people who say they are huge theater buffs ( the people who only know rent ) see performers and automatically deem them amazing.

Dont get me wrong, I am still blown away by many performers. Recently was Laura Bell Bundy. i think she is truly amazing.

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 12/2/07 at 7:16pm

Angacting, I love what you said.

I have definitely seen a few performances with people that I didn't think were too great...though the one's I remember were understudies I think >shrug<. Not to say that understudies aren't any good, I just saw one yesterday that did a wonderful job.

But I do wonder sometimes why the guy at church and my dad's co-worker have much better voices than a few of the people I've heard on broadway.

[AngActing]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 7:26pm

>> I just saw one yesterday that did a wonderful job.

Hey, that amazing understudy, one day, could be me or you! Thus, yes, I, too, have seen amazing understudies.

>> But I do wonder sometimes why the guy at church and my dad's
>>co-worker have much better voices than a few of the people
>> I've heard on broadway.

Because the guy at church and your dad's co-worker didn't want to be on Broadway and didn't pursue it. Or wanted it, but took no action toward it. There you go!

My mother is an amazing opera singer and could've been with the Met . . . she, instead, chose to get married and be a wife and mother to me. She decided singing at church and in community theatre, while being a wife and mother, made her happier than being a celebrated opera diva with the Met! There you have it!

It's a choice . . . no failures; just success at what you decide.

[stagesweets]

Posted: 12/7/07 at 9:37pm

I think seeing the weaknesses in a broadway/professional acting and shows really lets me know I am improving myself as an actor and director. I sometimes think oh my god if I were involved in this show it would be so much better!

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 9:43am

I saw Lion King 3 years ago on Broadway, and that show has just lost its magic. It was SO awful. One of the men playing grass yawned in the middle of the opening number, (which is the only good part of the show). Plus all of the understudies were in and they just did not care.

I also hear that Frankenstein...(Not Young Frankenstein)...with Hunter Foster is seriously the worst thing since Carrie.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 1:21pm

I hear ya. I saw Inherit the Wind on Broadway and much the acting was high school level. I could have at least been as good as some people in the show.

Frankenstien's cast is actually fantastic. The show itself not so much. The cast was waaayyyyyy to good for that show.

[dramatothemax]

Posted: 12/8/07 at 5:44pm

Yeah that's what I heard. Kind of like Young Frankenstein. hahah

[tinydancer4]

Posted: 12/9/07 at 3:45pm

I actually think that quite often, the understudies are BETTER than the people who usually play the parts! Especially if the person normally playing the role is a C-list soap opera star who was cast just to sell tickets (this happens loads on the West End, don't know about Broadway).