American Idol does NOT produce actors

[Bunes]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:08pm

Do we really need another American Idol Winner in a Broadway Show

[BeadleDeedle]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:17pm

Ugh.

[thebeautyis3]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:34pm

Well... it produced an Oscar winner...

And I like Syesha. At least, I liked her in Rent. However many years ago that was.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:42pm

Thanks for the update. Hell's Kitchen doesn't produce costume designers, as well, if you're putting together a list.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:44pm

A) If you're talking about Fantasia, she doesn't even have to "act" much at all in AFTER MIDNIGHT. She just sings. And does it exceptionally well.
B) Clearly you missed her performance in THE COLOR PURPLE, where she proved she's a very capable stage actress.
C) See Jennifer Hudson's Oscar-winning performance in DREAMGIRLS, even thought that performance has its haters. But they're all entitled to their wrong opinions.
Updated On: 11/29/13 at 10:44 PM

[Bunes]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:58pm

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/173346/american-idol-finalist-syesha-mercado-joins-broadways-the-book-of-mormon-as-nabulungi/

I just think there are many actors who could do the role better and trained for the whole life to do it and do not get a chance

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:06pm

Syesha was also charming as Deena in the latest dream girls tour from three years ago. She must be doing something right as she wowed the creative team. And there have been many AI contestants with Theatre backgrounds.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:12pm

She was amazing in The Color Purple.

American Idol's purpose is not about actors. However, some of them can. And who's to say SHE hasn't trained all her life? She's a performer, doing something she's very good at: PERFORMING.

Why do animated movies now use mostly "names"? THEY are taking jobs away from unknown actors. Don't blame HER because the producers want a recognizable name.

[TheatreFan4]

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

I just think there are many actors who could do the role better and trained for the whole life to do it and do not get a chance

Do you think, honestly, that a show that has been sold out every single performance after its first two weeks is hiring Syesha because she was on American Idol? Or is it because of her talent she's been showing on stage in theatre since 2009? Who was a theatre performer BEFORE she got on American Idol. Who was constantly critiqued on American Idol for being too theatre. Sometimes those who have trained all their lives and not get the chance, well sorry, but this it not a charity for who has put in the most time.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:17pm

Okay, so we're talking about SYESHA? Not even Fantasia...?

It's not like they're resorting to stunt-casting by casting the third-runner-up from the 2008 season of American Idol. She'll be fine in the part. I'd assume she auditioned and won it fair and square.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:22pm

Wait...she's played the part already in the Chicago production, replacing Stephanie Umoh. Why are we even discussing this? LOL.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:28pm

Exactly. She's coming from another company of the same show. She auditioned for that role, was cast, and received very good reviews in it. With a show like BOM, they could care less if who they cast is a "name." The show is the name here. In this production, I think her success with Dreamgirls and Papermill's OOTI played the role in her being selected as the first Nabalungo in a sit down production of the show outside of New York.

I saw her shortly after the show opened and thought she did a great job. Very positive buzz about her in the audience.

[sklabam]

Posted: 11/30/13 at 9:21am

You dumb and your hair wig ain't right.
Probably some sad person full of resentments who didn't the get some part they "deserved" in 1973.

Come on peoples.
Out with the crabby crabs.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 11/30/13 at 12:26pm

Bunes. Welcome to BWW

Nothing makes an AI contestant any less viable in a a way role than any other actor. Ayesha also led the revival tour of Dreamgirls.

Constantine Mouroulis
Clay Aiken
Jordan sparks

Just to name a few more.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 11/30/13 at 4:12pm

Syesha actually went to college for theatre and has a degree in Acting. She's always known how to sing and used that talent on American Idol. She is indeed a trained actress. Know what you're talking about before you judge someone.

Additonally, Carolee Carmello hasn't "trained [her] whole life" she just has it. So should she be passed over for someone who is "trained"? Updated On: 11/30/13 at 04:12 PM

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 11/30/13 at 4:16pm

I thought we were talking about Justin Guarini for a second, and I was about to be sad because I saw him in Romeo and Juliet and the little part he had he played really well!

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 11/30/13 at 4:25pm

Diana DeGarmo also has been rather successful on broadway

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 11/30/13 at 11:26pm

I'm not a fan of stunt casting, but I saw Syesha in BoM in Chicago last June and LOVED her. And for context, I've seen BoM 7 times (bway 4 times) in 3 cities with 4 Nabulungi's (one of the two LA shows had an understudy). I thought she nailed the role...

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 12:36am

I also saw her in the "Dreamgirls" tour and thought she gave an excellent performance.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 3:15am

She plays Nabulungi like a ditz, but at least she's gotten better over the past few months.

[fbueller]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 10:16am

Clearly you missed her[Fantasia's] performance in THE COLOR PURPLE, where she proved she's a very capable stage actress.

Didn't most people who tried to see Fantasia in 'The Color Purple' miss her performance? She was not capable of fulfilling 8 shows a week.

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 12/1/13 at 6:31pm

Lizzie, I thought she played her with youthful innocence. But then again, I may have been preoccupied screaming inside my head about how much I REALLY hated Ben Platt as Cunningham :)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/2/13 at 10:35am

I saw Constantine in Rock of Ages and Justin in Women on the Verge and both delivered exceptional performances. These things happen sometimes.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 12/2/13 at 11:11am

"I may have been preoccupied screaming inside my head about how much I REALLY hated Ben Platt as Cunningham :)"

To each their own. I loved Ben Platt in the role. Certainly more than Josh Gad, who I could not stand.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/2/13 at 11:46am

I forgot about Syesha in Book of Mormon. She was wonderful. And I loved both Gad and Platt as Cunningham. Two completely different takes on the role and both equally effective.