American Idol does NOT produce actors
American Idol does NOT produce actors
American Idol does NOT produce actors#1
Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:08pmDo we really need another American Idol Winner in a Broadway Show
Featured Actor Joined: 10/10/12
American Idol does NOT produce actors#2
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.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/15/07
American Idol does NOT produce actors#3
Posted: 11/29/13 at 10:42pmThanks for the update. Hell's Kitchen doesn't produce costume designers, as well, if you're putting together a list.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
American Idol does NOT produce actors#4
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
American Idol does NOT produce actors#5
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
American Idol does NOT produce actors#6
Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:06pmSyesha 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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
American Idol does NOT produce actors#7
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.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#8
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
American Idol does NOT produce actors#9
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.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
American Idol does NOT produce actors#10
Posted: 11/29/13 at 11:22pmWait...she's played the part already in the Chicago production, replacing Stephanie Umoh. Why are we even discussing this? LOL.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#11
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.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#12
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.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#13
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.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#14
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
American Idol does NOT produce actors#15
Posted: 11/30/13 at 4:16pmI 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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
American Idol does NOT produce actors#16
Posted: 11/30/13 at 4:25pmDiana DeGarmo also has been rather successful on broadway
American Idol does NOT produce actors#17
Posted: 11/30/13 at 11:26pmI'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...
American Idol does NOT produce actors#18
Posted: 12/1/13 at 12:36amI also saw her in the "Dreamgirls" tour and thought she gave an excellent performance.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#19
Posted: 12/1/13 at 3:15amShe plays Nabulungi like a ditz, but at least she's gotten better over the past few months.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#20
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.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#21
Posted: 12/1/13 at 6:31pmLizzie, 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 :)
American Idol does NOT produce actors#22
Posted: 12/2/13 at 10:35amI saw Constantine in Rock of Ages and Justin in Women on the Verge and both delivered exceptional performances. These things happen sometimes.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#23
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.
American Idol does NOT produce actors#24
Posted: 12/2/13 at 11:46amI 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.
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