Andrea McArdle:What's the deal?

[JustJakUK]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 8:16pm

I love, love, love Andrea McArdle. Let's just put that out there first. Yes, Annie's a fun show with great toe-tappin' tunes but above all that, she has an amazing voice. Like all true artists, her voice is unique and distinct. Just a few bars of something and you can tell it's her. She doesn't sound like many of the Broadway girls who seem to have come off the factory production line. So why then can't she get a gig in New York? Does anybody know? Is she difficult to work with? Her name has some marquee value. She's not too old for many roles yet she she seems to be passed over time and again for things. Now I've done my homework. I know she played Belle. I know she was in Cabaret. I know she was in State Fair. So yes, I conceed that she has worked on Broadway but simply not enough. I've just youtubed her name and couldn't believe my eyes. She's resorted to playing Orphan Annie on a cruise ship!!!! At her age!!! What is going on, people?! This girl deserves so much better. Real challenging singing and acting roles which require you to belt it to the balcony. Come on Sondheim! Come on Jerry Herman! Seek out this girl and give her a break. She's paid her dues. What is even more frustrating is that her husband did crappy arrangements on her only show tunes cd. Her voice is stunning on just about every track but I wouldn't play the cd to even a close friend as it just sounds terrible. Please someone rescue her with some decent arrangements. The only recording that gets close to showing what she can do is the live version of Look For The Silver Lining which seque ways into Tomorrow. If you don't know who Andrea McArdle is then make it your business to find out. If you are a writer of new musicals, think about her the next time you craft a melody or shape a character. Women like Andrea make me proud to be associated with the theatre and long may she continue to command applause even if it isn't on the Great White Way.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:48pm

Um, her appearance as Annie on that cruise ship was a little annual cruise some lady known as Rosie O'Donnell does AND which is attended by a crazy load of top Broadway performers. Numerous actors even take time off from their respected shows to go on this annual cruise.

The take-off on ANNIE was titled ANNIE: The Concert and was done as not only as an homage, a joke, but also the chance for tons of people to hear Andrea sing her ANNIE songs -- something most never got the chance to hear 'live' back in 1977 and songs Andrea hasn't even sung since then. It was done in fun and Rosie herself played Miss Hannigan and Broadway legend Harvey Evans was Oliver Warbucks. Again...it was in FUN, hence the 'the concert' bit.

Also, the top Broadway performers also appear in many sketches and lots of goofying each other takes place, which is what this ANNIE take-off was all about.

For someone who CLAIMS to love Andrea -- apparently you are one clueless fan and I think your comments were not only unmerited but embarrassing due to your lack of information. I guess you also weren't aware that she played Doatsie Mae at the recent Actor's Fund/BCEFA Benefit Concert staging of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS along with a roster of Broadway's finest performers.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 9:59pm

"she seems to be passed over time and again for things"

Um, care to share an example? I've seen her in a few concerts/ benefits/ etc. as well as in Cabaret (where she was very good). I've heard good things about her Joe's Pub concerts, and even better things about her prominent regional stint in Annie Get Your Gun.

She's done great work, and has had great opportunities. There are plenty of established and struggling actors that would kill for her resume.

"Come on Sondheim! Come on Jerry Herman! Seek out this girl and give her a break."

And do you think Stephen Sondheim and Jerry Herman are casting agencies?

Also, Jerry Herman's last true original musical on Broadway was La Cage in 1984. Andrea McArdle has appeared in 4 original musicals on Broadway SINCE then. She's fine.

[JustJakUK]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:09pm

Thank-you guys for the information. I think this just goes to show you how big the Atlantic can be sometimes. The perception I have is based merely on what is common knowledge here. I will sleep easy tonight knowing that she is doing fine and respected by many. But just one thing, is it necessary to attack me so aggressively? I was just stating an opinion albeit a misinformed one. If you truly love theatre, wouldn't you want to encourage people onto these boards, not put them off visiting with bitchy comments. Just a thought.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 10:14pm

I apologize for any snarkiness, JustJakUK. I would just hate for such a great performer to be thought of as negatively as your first post implied. I get that you are a fan too.

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/21/07 at 11:52pm

But just one thing, is it necessary to attack me so aggressively? I was just stating an opinion albeit a misinformed one. If you truly love theatre, wouldn't you want to encourage people onto these boards, not put them off visiting with bitchy comments. Just a thought.

No one is attacking YOU. You just wanted to take it that way, we have no clue who you are. You just happened to bump into a group of people who are much better informed on the performer than you, and maybe they feel that your lack of knowledge and implying she couldn't get a gig in NYC was offensive to them.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:40am

you're crazy... she was such an established Broadway performer that she opened a Broadway musicals concert in Hong Kong and was completely sold out!... for 2 nights!

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 2:48am

Those Annie cruise pics are hysterical.

Andrea did a regional production a few years back here in MA of "Annie Get Your Gun" and was fabulous in it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 3:25am

I saw Annie on Broadway. I was excited about seeing Dorothy Loudon do "Easy Street". I was not excited about hearing "Tomorrow". it was just so pouplat and overplayed. Got to the Theatre and Ms. Loudon was out the afternoon I saw it. I was not happy and I had to sit through "Tomorrow" to boot! So the show started and the song came up and I will say I was glad I saw Andrea do it live. So glad I have her on DVD doing the song on My Favorite Broadway. And I want that red gown she wore!!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 3:31am

"And I want that red gown she wore!!"

I want her dress too! Wish I could look that good in it! Her performance and "I Wanna Be a Rockette" are my two favorite moments from that DVD.

[GHOSTLIGHT2]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:23am

so many importaint statements it is a pitty I cannot reply to them all.
Firstly Eris0303 is far from the only one who cannot figure why She is not getting the respect She deserves.
She is respected but it is only a grudging respect,Disney didn't want Her for Belle until they had to fire Toni Braxton.

If I were Her husband I would be mad as Hell,
Speaking of Her husband, don't pick on the guy O.K.? His arangements for Her 'On Broadway' CD was by My estimation the best work He ever did.

The Rosie Cruise concert was something I have always wished She never had done , Shure it was done in a jokey mannor but this is a show She has said time and time again that She wants to put behind Her-that was as much a parody of Her as it was of the show.
Shure many people love ANNIE, I like it a great deal, so much so I bought a 1st edition hardback book of Martin Charnins ANNIE A Theatre Memoir last week.
But when I think of Her I think of HER, not that show, it was an importaint relic from theatrical and American history.

She is a legend time and the powers that be seem to be determined to deliberately overlook.
JustJakUK seems to have indeed done his homework,and He has made the same observations that I have.

She has more than paid Her dues and frankly at this rate She will be running full-out the rest of Her life to try to stay in place when She deserves to be treated as the superstar She is and not as an old reliable that can be brought in when there is no other choice.

BrodyFossie123 was unduely harsh in saying JustJakUk was clueless : his comments have as much merit as YOURS, Buddy.
Just because He did not refer to the Actors Fund show does not mean He is uninformed.
Keep it polite.

Andrea Will always work but never as a leading lady.
No one can deny that She will always find something but what JustJakUK is clearly getting at is "Where IS The RESPECT She Has Earned Sinse She Was 13 Years Old?"




Updated On: 11/7/07 at 10:23 AM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:32am

I read an interview or a comment once about how she had wanted to play Sally Bowles, but because she wasn't a TV/Film start they wouldn't let her do it on Broadway.

That seems to be her biggest problem. She's a theatre name, but ask anyone on the street and they have NO idea who she is. Personally, I want to see her in more shows, and not in a piddly-squatin' role like Doastey Mae (She'd have been a FAR better Mona).

Maybe that's me...

[morosco]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:52am

Rosie's Hannigan costume sure could use a good iron.

[me2]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 12:25pm

I'd love to see Andrea McArdle in person.

One thing I realized, though, when I was doing my 50 Amazing Broadway Performers in 50 Weekdays on my blog is that there are many very talented performers out there and simply not enough new shows to ever utilize them all. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Andrea McArdle in anything, but there's so much equally great talent and so few shows out there . . .
Broadway Blog: From the Mouth of Baz Luhrmann

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:01pm

I totally agree with me2...there is just so much talent and so few shows AND the talent is getting younger while the legends and those who were and still are wonderful singers/actors are trying to find ways to re-invent themselves....just to stay in the business.

Some of these folks, some my friends, some I work with. Many have 10-20 years of Broadway leading roles in their resumes...but time moves on for all.

As far experiencing Andrea live...she is just a joy to see and hear, a real professional with wonderful supportive family and friends. That should be enough for any Annie to be grateful for.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:20pm

Eris0303, I wanna be a Rocket is also a favorite! I have to say that the Lloyd Webber Love Trio is my favorite. But Andrea comes in a very close second.

[Switz78]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:23pm

I think her lack of leading lady roles comes from the fact that she made a name for herself as a child singer. There are a lot of child broadway folks who are wonderful but get a bad wrap simply because they were on bway at such a young age. People think all kids are cute and can sing a tune what makes that movable into a market as an adult. I also find it funny that Ms. McArdle wants to put Annie behind her when she has her daughter doing it any chance that's available. She is talented but so are a lot of other folks- Karen Mason, Liz McCartney, Carolee Carmello, Donna Vivino (an original young cosette) and many others.

[DivaBrigader]

Posted: 10/22/07 at 10:34pm

Andrea's daughter Alexis is a singer in her own right and was on Broadway in "Les Mis" when she was 8 but she has never been involved in anything "Annie" related except her audition for the 20th anniversary revival.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 1:45am

I agree with the whole child singer on bway "curse."

Look at Daisy Egan, she won the freakin' Tony for SG. I watched her in a documentary recently and she was saying how now she can't even get a job. Nobody even cares that the most coveted award in the theater is on her resume.

[Boq101]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 2:24am

Last I heard of Daisy she was playing Sally in LaChiusa's Wild Party in CA, I found it terribly sad...

Posted: 10/23/07 at 4:26am

rosie is the funniest looking miss hannigan i have ever scene. i think the lipstick was a little over done and her hare sticks up like a bunch of peacock feathers . V ery funny in a humrous way not a mean way. Bet that show was a fun show to see.

Any of you remember Andrea on Welcome Back Kotter ? She was Arnold Horshacks little sister.

[GHOSTLIGHT2]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 10:14am

I remember Her on Welcome Back Kotter,it was the last season, they were hopping to use Her to sell the proposed Spin-Off'Horshack'.
For all of two Years She was the biggest child superstar of the 1970s.
After the London West End run of ANNIE She was pushed out and Shelly Bruce took over.

[DivaBrigader]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 12:36pm

Daisy Eagan was also on a reality show several years back (before it was really the craze it is now) on Bravo called "The It Factor" that followed a group of actors around NY as they auditioned and tried to book jobs. They brought up her Tony in the first episode, the episode where they actually picked the people who were going to be on the show, and then she subsequently ended up auditioning for a commercial where she had to dress up as Joan of Arc. She is also extremely talented and gave a phenomenal performance in "The Secret Garden" to boot and I hope she gets jobs that allow her to come back to Broadway.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 1:38pm

Broadway is its own nitch, while chuck full of talent, it is a very small fish in a very big ocean of entertainemnt.

Who do you know that have moved on to a long term financially hefty transactual or residual career in film or TV... or a even a life sustaining concert career as a direct result of Broadway credits?

I tell you, the entertainemt field is like a surfer...waiting for the big wave....riding high...and once it hits the shore you swim out for another one...and wait.

[AngActing]

Posted: 10/23/07 at 2:53pm

I had the pleasure of seeing Andrea McArdle live in the show "Grease" in Arizona, on a tour. It was, of course, some years ago . . . maybe eighteen years ago, give or take a year. I also saw her as 'Fantine' in "Les Miserables" on Broadway a few years ago. She is a fantastic singer.

The disturbing part of "Grease" was 'Danny' played by Eddie Mekka [of 'Laverne & Shirley' fame]. He looked HIS AGE at that time -- and he certainly was not a child or young, young man (he may have been in late 30s or early 40s, then)!!! Andrea was about 25 to 27 years old (approximately), but very young-looking and was believeable as a teenager. Thus, with Eddie and Andrea during the 'drive-in' scene, it looked more like a disturbing old man attacking a teenage girl!!! YIKES!!!

I mean, if they wanted to use Eddie Mekka, a fine performer; they could've picked a more appropriate show . . . "Carosuel" or "Oklahoma", maybe? Then his age would be less "disturbing" then trying to make him a teenager who looks 40!