BROADWAY OR BUST - PBS — Page 4

"THEY'RE JUST KIDS!"

Actually, they're young adults. Up until about 100 years ago, they would be starting their adult life at that age. It's only in our present relatively luxurious-lifestyle age that "childhood" seems to continue on to age 21 (and often older).

I just caught up with the second episode.

I wish they would focus on some of the other kids besides the same handful we already saw last time. I thought Brittany was far better in the few seconds we saw of her number from The Color Purple than "And I Am Telling You." She should have picked something else for the competition because she actually has a very nice voice when she's not singing that song. I actually identified a lot with the Indian girl, being from a family that doesn't really encourage the arts. She had a very sweet voice, but needs to externalize much more. I think the acting coach who worked with her did a brilliant job of breaking through some of her psychological inhibitions.

So far, my favorites are Joshua (Light In the Piazza dude; I like his voice and personality) and Erica (who sang "Sal Tlay Ka Siti"; her voice is gorgeous, and she reminds me a bit of Nikki Renee Daniels). But, again, I wish they'd feature the rest of the kids.

Edit: Elizabeth (you can see her singing "Disneyland" on the website) is pretty good, too.

Updated On: 9/17/12 at 09:04 PM

I like the guy who can sing in Italian. I forget his name. from RC in Austin, Texas

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Normally I would say that Brittany might win this competition, based on the judges review of her. But with these reality shows, they almost always say things on camera to mislead the audience. It will probably be someone who has not been featured.

" Furthermore, (money to spare) has nothing to do with fundraising and doing what is necessary to enter into regional competition. I assure you my public school doesn't flaunt around any extra cash, hard work, dedication and talent have more to do with it then you seem to understand or be willing to comprehend."

I totally understand.

And what you don't seem to understand is that still doesn't mean this is an opportunity afforded all schools- or an opportunity all schools necessarily want to take.

Although I went to high school before these awards were formed, my school focused (and still does) on taking college-bound juniors and seniors to the South Eastern Theatre Conference and Florida Theatre Conference instead, to audition for and learn about schools and career opportunities. And even that, with all of our fundraising, was expensive.

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Regarding the timing, I know the kids are seniors in high school. Was the documentary filmed at the end of the school year? Have these kids already been accepted by colleges? If that's the case, then NYU wouldn't be recruiting any of them, right?

Updated On: 9/19/12 at 02:44 PM

And what you don't seem to understand is that still doesn't mean this is an opportunity afforded all schools- or an opportunity all schools necessarily want to take.

True. And so many schools have cut performing arts altogether.

But that doesn't mean the kids who do get to New York haven't worked hard. Kad never said anything like that.

Bingo newintown! That has been my point from the get go! That's why I didn't like that the show is promoting these kids as the best high school musical kids in the country. Young Arts also says that. When my daughter used to compete in cheerleading, there were so many competitions and everyone claimed they were national champions. I know it's not the same but you get my point.

And Josh Grosso is a great kid who really works hard for everything and is well respected by his peers. He's not one of those arrogant boys who got cast in everything because he was the only boy. He is humble. I saw his performance in "Light in the Piazza" about two years ago at state and I watched everyone's jaw drop when he sang his first note. I do enjoy watching the series but it's so unfair that many of the kids have not been featured at all.

I wish I knew whose place Josh had taken. I didn't chaperone at state this past year. Most of the time, the kids are so busy socializing that they don't even pay attention to all of the announcements. I know my daughter said the girl that represented Florida was someone no one really knew about. There are a couple of girls that went to the same high school as Josh who are amazingly talented. One of them is a freshman at Penn State in MT. That girl has serious skillz and yet she didn't get to compete at the Jimmy's.

So did anyone here watch the final episode last night? I thought it was pretty good. Based on the little bit that they showed the guy who sang the song from Dracula, I would've never guessed he'd make it into the top 6. Also, at one point I was pretty certain they pulled Erica's photo down when they were discussing who they were going to put in the top 6, just as they did with the guy who sang the song from Jekyll and Hyde. They must have changed their minds on her. I'm not sure if these misdirections were intentional or not. Editing decision, maybe?

I think it would've been interesting if they listed at the end who actually went on to study MT in college. I wonder if any of these kids did actually get calls from the scouts there after the show?

p.s. The Girl that won is at Northwestern- she did say she is a math nerd and I suspect her grades got her there because there is no audition for MT to get in as a freshman. Erica is at Penn State in MT.

I agree with your comments about lip-synching to Over the Rainbow. If I were that girl, I would be so angry/horrified/despondent!

I watched all three parts and I really enjoyed seeing the process, however flawed. I can't believe how talented those kids are. Best of luck to them all!