Broadway Nepitisim???

[BroadwayBound06]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 11:15am

I was wondering how much pull Alexander Gemignani got from his father Paul Gemignani (who has been the musical director for many Sondheim shows, and is the musical director for Assassins) to be in Assassins. I don't deny Alexander Gemignani's talent, from the clip I've seen of his preformance he is very good. I just find it odd that his father is the musical director for his first Broadway show.

Are there any other instances of somthing like this?

Posted: 5/16/04 at 12:10pm

Well, this excerpt is from Peter Filichia's interview with Paul Gemignani on Theatremania.com...

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Paul was surprised when he showed up at auditions and saw Alexander's name on the list. He didn't stay around for his son's audition -- "I was afraid he'd be nervous" -- but admits that he did say to Sondheim that Alexander might be good for the ensemble and to cover some roles. Director Joe Mantello was the one to say, "That's our Hinckley!"

"I have no problem recommending Alexander if he's right for a role," says Paul, "just as I would with any actor. Whenever someone's casting a show I'm doing, if I can think of someone they haven't thought of, I'll call them and say, 'Why not take a look at so-and-so?' Look, Alexander would never get hired just because he's my son," he says, making a give-me-a-break face. "Nobody would be afraid to say to me or him that he's not right for a show. I'll be conducting Frogs soon and, though he did the reading, he's not in the show. The way Susan Stroman went with the guys, he wasn't right. I never said anything more about it and never would."

[Jon]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 1:19pm

Harold Prince put his daughter Daisy into MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. She wqas also in the FOLLIES concert with Barbara Cook, Mandy Patinkin, Lee Remmick, et al. She is now a director - she staged the original SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD and THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 8:57pm

Can anyone say....Kate Hudson? Nepotism is rampant everywhere, LEAST of all, on B'way.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 9:01pm

And that stupid Sophia Coppola ruining Godfather III, well not ruining *it was a bad movie to start* but really not helping it out.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 9:05pm

We could sit here and name names all night. Colin Hanks anyone?

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 9:06pm

Freddie Prinz Jr. was helped as far as Senior Citizen viewers go.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 9:13pm

Even Jennifer Anniston got a leg up due to her father being a soap "legend".

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 10:42pm

It's "nepotism" and "performances". Thank you very much!

[wendy72]

Posted: 5/16/04 at 11:31pm

Worst nepotism--Melissa Rivers! OY!

[charleydog]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 11:56am

I think if you are fortunate enough to have someone in your family who can get you in the door, that's great. But you better be able to show up and deliver the goods. And I think Alexander does. Congrats to him for seizing the opportunity.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 12:19pm

Did you know that when Tori Spelling audtioned for 90215 or whatever she didn't use her last name but auditioned as Tori MacGillicuddy and got the part and it was a total like surprise for her father uber-rich producer Aaron MacGillicuddy I mean Spelling?