American Idols on Broadway

[allvocal]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:25pm

Maybe I'm the only one.. but I get so mad when rejects or even winners from American Idol end up on Broadway. I'll admit I thought Diana Degarmo was good, but Ashley Parker Angel? That kid thats in The Fantastics now? Frenchie Davis? Constantine? Are you telling me that there aren't any other actors in New York that are better?? And now with the Grease reality show... it's getting so that I'm going to have to go on TV to get on broadway? That doesn't make sense. I must be the only one that feels this way, because "stunt" casting certainly isn't going away.

[Craig]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:28pm

Ashley Parker Angel has a theater background (not broadway) and also never appeared on American Idol. He was in a boys band (O-Town)

And I'll happily go on record saying that I don't care where the talent comes from as long as they are appropriate for the role.

[Craig]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:29pm

p.s. you should also draw a distinction between STUNT casting and STAR casting. I can see how some people would be considered stunt casting (which has a negative connotation as if they can't handle the role) versus star casting which is just bringing in a well known person to do the role.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:30pm

"Are you telling me that there aren't any other actors in New York that are better??"

Of course there are. They just don't sell tickets.

"And now with the Grease reality show... it's getting so that I'm going to have to go on TV to get on broadway?"

Knowing that would just make me work harder to get a job on my own merit.

[allvocal]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:32pm

Yeah you're right about Mr. Angel.. I was on a Hairspray kick and he jumped into my head. I know he wasn't on American Idol...but he WAS on a reality show.. wasn't he? Yeah. I think so. Well.. maybe. I see your point with the "Stunt" casting and "Star" casting.. but I still think its a fine line.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:34pm

I'm fine with it if they can perform just as well as other New York actors. I'd love to see Jennifer Hudson on Broadway . . .

[ToBeKnown]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:23pm

I agree with you defying gravity!

You make so much sense! Good calll!
...and I saw another post of yours about being a college student whos never had sex, been drunk, or smoked. And i totally respect that! I'm in college myself

[Mateo2]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:47pm

I do not know about the others but Frenchie Davis and Diana DeGarmo earned their way to Broadway by doing regional theater. Diana was fantastic as Maria in WSS but still had to audition for Penny in “Hairspray” and Brooklyn in “Brooklyn – The Musical”. They just didn’t give her the part as they did with Fantasia. Now, when you can’t sing or act, that is stunt casting.

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:36am

I have seen all of these Idols on Broadway: Frenchie, Constantine, Diana, and if you want to count Ashley, I've seen him too. I thought they were all great! So, I wouldn't call any of them stunt casting, but I do think that the shows used them to sell tickets. Nevertheless, they are good! I think casting Alexa Vega was stunt casting cause I don't even think she's a good Penny.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:41am

Frenchie was a perfect fit for her role in Rent. Also I will repeat that I loved Tamyra Gray in Bombay Dreams.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:41am

So just because they were on some reality show means they don't have any business being on the Broadway stage?

As long as they have talent, I don't see the problem. I hate it how people are quick to jump to conclusions regarding performance just because they may not have liked them on a reality show or don't care for them in general. I've heard good things about the current "American Idol rejects" on Broadway, so whats the problem (I haven't seen any of the current "Idol rejects" on the stage, and I am not saying they are good or bad or coming to any conclusion about their performance)?

By the way, have you even SEEN any of the people you mentioned in the musicals? If so, you can't judge and your arguement has no basis.

Updated On: 2/25/07 at 12:41 AM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:48am

BTW any reviews of that cutie that is joining "The Fantasticks"???
He is worth a trip to the theatre even if he can't sing (I've no idea if he can sing since I don't watch AI)

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:57am

I don't have a problem with it just as long as they can act (as stated above)

I think Frenchie Davis has earned her spot on broadway. Along with Josh Strickland and some others. Fantasia is MAJOR stunt casting. She's not a bad singer, but she couldn't even play herself in a movie about her life. She can't act and should stay away from broadway.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:00am

Well all of them so far have been replacements in shows looking for ways to boost business and I don't have a problem with that and most have been in secoundary roles, so at least they are paying some dues.
Now when one actually debuts in a new show creating a role that will tell the tale.
When Fantasia (what kinda name is that) plays Celie we will see a lot of feedback I am sure.

Is that a new pic of U muscle?

[Mrs.LinkLarkin2]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:14am

muscle23ftl, that's Anthony Fedorov in The Fantasticks, but he's not starting until May 1st. I'm very excited! He's got a great voice! It should be wonderful on stage! I just hope he's good at acting! So The Fantasticks is Off-Broadway, right?
Updated On: 2/25/07 at 01:14 AM

[allvocal]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:28am

"By the way, have you even SEEN any of the people you mentioned in the musicals? If so, you can't judge and your arguement has no basis"

Yes, I have seen them.. well most of them. I guess I just don't like to think of Broadway as a consolation prize. The point of American Idol is to get a record contract yes? So they don't win or there little album is crap.. and suddenly its BROADWAY they have always wanted to do. I feel the same way as Movie Stars suddenly saying they would like to go to broadway... like Julia Roberts or Julianne Moore... If movie stars or ex-idols have done some sort of theatre before, I guess I don't have as big a problem with it. Again I must be the only one.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:38am

There are more American Idol losers who haven't gone to Broadway than ones who actually have. The ones who have gone to star on stage have generally gotten good feedback from theatergoers.

If Constantine, Diana, Anthony, Frenchie, and Ashley were never on reality shows, would you feel the same way?

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:43am

I have yet to see an AIer I was not impressed with. More power to them if they can showcase their talents on Broadway.

[allvocal]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:44am

Well I guess thats something that I could never tell you... If I would have seen them at the EPAs and ECCs and THEN I saw them on broadway... even if I didn't like their performace.. Yes. I probably would respect the performace more. I suppose thats a bit jaded of me, but there it is.

[etoile]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:38am

The point of being on a television show like American Idol is to be seen on television. A record contract is just an added bonus. Performers are always looking for ways to be seen and "discovered" so why should being on a television show be looked upon with such distain?

CPD, Josh Strickland did originate a role on Broadway. I didn't know him from AI but did find he has a beautiful voice and a mesmerizing charm about him. I can understand people buying a ticket just to see him.

Why would anyone see being in theatre as a consolation prize of a reality show instead of seeing a reality show as a means to the end goal of landing a job in professional theatre?

Updated On: 2/25/07 at 02:38 AM

[Marie2]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 3:27am

Frenchie Davis had a major theater background before AI. I think she had been in some touring productions.

Diana, though, seemed to be the one who kicked down the door on Broadway for people like Fantasia to follow. It was considered a "step down" among AI fans for someone from the show to go to Broadway (American Idol fans aren't always the brightest bunch) when in reality it's probably a far more difficult and skillful area of the entertainment industry than most.

So while Diana's major theater experience has been over the past year and a half with lead roles in West Side Story and Brooklyn, and a major supporting role in Hairspray, she's already talked about wanting to return to Broadway, perhaps in a new show. She's not stunt-casting, she's the real thing.

[jspaeth87]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 5:32am

well Frenchie was barely on AI and like many others have said it seems she has earned her place...just as diana degarmo has.
also there's constantine maroulis who did a national tour of rent before he was even on american idol. so it's really not surprising that he went on to broadway. and really now, people are realizing that american idol and the like are great ways to get your name out there. is it such a bad thing to have one more path to getting to broadway?

[Parsley]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 7:53am

"is it such a bad thing to have one more path to getting to broadway?"

Exactly. Too many people are precious (even jealous) about this sort of thing. As with any job, there are many routes to get higher.

The fact that some might have been acting regionally or in the ensemble on Broadway for many years does not and should not automatically mean that they have the immediate right for that star role or even any significant role. Some people just coast along, doing well but not perhaps standing out (and that is absolutely fine - many have made a decent career out of doing just that). Yet at the same time someone new might come along and immediately overtake them. And good on them too. If they have the talent.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 8:50am

Josh Strickland wasn't on American Idol. Well, he was, but he never made it to the part that counts.

[Craig]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 11:11am

Broadway as a consolation prize - and movie stars that all of the sudden want to do broadway.

Honestly - if there's one medium that scares the living crap out of any performer - it's Broadway. Other than a live concert, no other performing medium requires an actor to be perfect 8 shows a week - in front of an audience - and live. Most of these actors don't even "like" doing awards shows (presenting) because of how nerve wracking it is to get up in front of all those people (live) and speak. Trust me - if an actor "from hollywood" is doing Broadway, it's not some random fancy they are having. It's not even financially beneficial for them. They could make more doing a movie, sitcom, commercial, etc. Add to that the fact that they open themselves up to the press and reviews and you get the picture.

In addition, why are stars from hollywood "prohibited" from trying to expand their skills and stretch their abilities? I really dislike the notion of people saying that some people have no business coming to Broadway or others who are on broadway are selling out going to hollywood. Just silly banter.

Not to mention, and I'm guesstimating here, that 90 percent of the people on Broadway who come from other mediums HAVE a background or training in theater. Just because they aren't known for it or it was well before they became famous doesn't discount it.

As with anything - you really only have a right to judge a performance you've seen. Otherwise, it's just silly to make baseless commentary.

I'm reminded by posts on another message board when it was first announced who would star in the movie Chicago. People were up in arms and the ranting and raving lasted several weeks at what a disaster the movie was going to be, yadda yadda. The movie came out, and the same people that posted the acerbic comments were raving about the movie and the casting - and then tried to plug the performers into where they should be on Broadway and or other movie musicals AS IF THEY NEVER CRITICIZED THEM before they saw the movie.

Very amusing to me...