BWay on BWay on TV- Page 4

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 7:33pm

Sure Jack42, I meant "third string" not by talent, but by Broadway food-chain standing, Like Nathan Lane is first,Adina Menzel is second.....and Kerry Butler third, for now of course.

[Jack42]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 7:54pm

Interesting.. I would think that Kerry would be 2nd string in your ranking then. (And just thinking out loud here) but Kerry has been both Eponine in Les Mis and Belle in Beauty and the Beast and was extremely well recieved in Hairspray. Idina is without a doubt a formidable talent and has been in RENT and AIDA - two very visable shows - but I'm not sure I would categorize her and Kerry differently.

They are very different performers, mind you - but I would still have them in the same "category".

Now.. if you said, Nathan Lane (category 1), Idina or Kerry (category 2) and then perhaps Shoshana Bean (category 3).

Now before anyone rants - I think all the above people are extremely talented. I guess that's how I see the broadway food chain - based more on immediate marketability..

Nathan - well he really doesn't need "hype"
You can easily market Kerry as "Award winning performer from Hairspray" just as you can market Idina as "Award winning original cast member of RENT"

Third "string" is a little trickier because the show would have to take the sizzle (for Shoshana). But that's because she's been mostly in the ensemble. AMAZINGLY talented.. but hasn't broken out "yet"

Updated On: 9/10/03 at 07:54 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:01pm

Kerry didn't originate Belle or Eponine in the B'way productions.

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:09pm

and Kerry wasn't even nominated for HAIRSPRAY, Idina has been a billed above the title performer before, Kerry wasn't til LSOH. I stand by my view.

[Jack42]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:09pm

True Namo, she didn't. But the "masses" (not theater maven) have short memories at best, and the appeal of seeing someone fresh out of a recent hit (who has had TONS of press) is probably more of a draw to the average theatergoer. Most theatergoers wouldn't even know the difference between originating a role and not.

We were talking "food chain" - and like it or not, someone who has been in the media a LOT over the past year is higher on the "food chain" then someone who has not. (I am not referring to Idina AT ALL with that statement, just Kerry vs. many other talented people on Broadway and on tour)

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:13pm

you are understimating the amazing following RENT still has, and Idina is married to Taye Diggs, has been profiled in People and get's paid MORE, that's what counts on Broadway!

[Jack42]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:19pm

Sheekala - oh.. I'm sorry.. was it only TONY nominations we were talking about? Because I believe Kerry was nominated for both the Outer Critics and Drama Desks. (the above is not meant to sound 'snippy' - I don't want you to think it did) I just wanted to clarify.

As for Idina being billed above the title before, yeah.. she has, but Im not sure that makes her "above" Kerry.

But anyway - I was just thinking out loud.. and I think both Kerry AND Idina (and Shoshana) are all extremely talented in different ways

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:22pm

I understand your view and being in the business I tend to judge things on how we talk about them behind the scenes and on a business level, on a casting level Idina generates more "heat" as they say...but I agree they are all very talented, and while I did not enjoy Kerry in LSOH, I have liked her in the past in many of her roles.

[Jack42]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:23pm

Sheekala


Im not underestimating anything.. and I have no idea what Idina's salary is comapred to Kerry's for both of their latest runs...so I cannot comment as to who makes "more"

Kerry's been profiled in a lot of magazines too.. but like I just wrote above this, I wasn't trying to turn this into idina v. kerry

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 8:25pm

trust me...Idina's make-up ain't green for nothing..haha, the girl get's paid.

[mwsjpw]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 9:00pm

After reading all the "reviews" of this year's NBC 4 broadcast, I am dying to see it for myself. Can someone please make me a copy? I would be happy to pay for blank tape and postage (and be forever gratful). PM please if you can help!

Thanks in advance,
John

Posted: 9/11/03 at 9:54am

Why do people only recognize Idina for "RENT" and "Aida"? She also received a Drama Desk nomination for originating the role of Kate in Lippa's "The Wild Party" and, though it wasn't exactly on Broadway she played Shiela in "Hair" at the Encores and also originated the role of Dorothy in the CT out of town run of "Summer of '42". Now she's the title character in "Wicked".

Question for Sheekala - How do you know how much Idina gets paid? How do you know she gets paid more than Kerry?

[sheekala]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 2:15pm

Im in on the contracts baby, I'm in on the contracts...nuff said!

[Seany]

Posted: 9/11/03 at 3:41pm

OK.

I thought this year's Broadway On Broadway overall...disappointed. A lot.

Chicago ~ Brent Barrent was absolutely incredible. THAT's the kind of talent I expect. Melanie Griffith was terrible. Absolutely dreadful.

Phantom of the Opera ~ This guy obviously has a good voice, but it's nothing "special" either. Where was the character?

Avenue Q ~ I thought this was VERY ENERTAINING. One of the highlights of the show.

Taboo ~ Eh. It was OK. I'm getting sick of this kind of crap though. "I'm Gay! You don't understand!! Feel bad for the gay guy!!". I wish Raul performed..

Cabaret ~ Jon Secada. I honestly didn't think he was THAT bad. But there was no character. No accent. It was like I Don't Care Much on MTV. But. I still enjoyed the rendition but this guy isn't right for the part.

Hairspray ~ Excellent.

Rent ~ VERY excellent. Best version I ever heard.

Never Gonna Dance ~ A.K.A. Never gonna look at this again.

Little Shop of Horrors ~ Hunter was pretty good. But nothing SPECTACULAR. Kerry was okay. DEFINITELY nothing spectacular. I really HATE this cast. I REALLY REALLY REALLY HATE IT. This is Little Shop's time to shine on Broadway and we have this mediocore cast. I've seen SO much better in a community theatre production. SOOO much better.

Thoroughly Modern Millie ~ Sutton is wonderful. She looked absolutely gorgeous too! I really wish they didn't cut it off because it was one of the highlights of the show for me.

The Producers ~ DREADFUL. This Don Stephenson guy SUCKS!!!! No charisma, no nothing. Ugh. Absolutely horrible.

Nine ~ The woman had a great voice. I don't really have anything else to say about it.

I can't think of what else performed there right now.

But I thought Nathan Lane and Jane Krakowski were very annoying hosts and they weren't funny at all.

Eh...there's always next year!