Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories

[ace33]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#1

Posted: 4/28/11 at 3:49pm

I'm just the average fan, but i know becoming a Broadway actor can take years of hard work (BFA's, Training, Classes, headshots, etc etc)... but do any stars have rags-to-riches success stories? Being discovered in a cafe? Stagehand turned swing?

[HistoryBoy2]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#2

Posted: 4/28/11 at 3:51pm

Rags to riches? STEPHEN SCHWARTZ!


(I'm here all week.)

[ace33]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#2

Posted: 4/28/11 at 3:57pm

Schwartz? i don't get it. He was from NYC, Julliard and BFA from CMU.

[JOak]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#3

Posted: 4/28/11 at 4:02pm

It's a reference, Stephen Schwartz wrote Rags (flop) before becoming multi-millionaire (Wicked).

[Tag]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#4

Posted: 4/28/11 at 4:16pm

Why would a stagehand become a swing??!?

[dramamama611]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#5

Posted: 4/28/11 at 4:19pm

Because the show must go on!

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[shrekster224]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#6

Posted: 4/28/11 at 4:40pm

You mentioned cafes, and I know Alysha Umphress worked at Ellen's Stardust Diner before getting cast in American Idiot, but is it true that she was spotted there? Or did she audition? I heard she was spotted, but doubt it. But it's not like she came from no training or anything, she went to BoCo.

[KirbyCat]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#7

Posted: 4/28/11 at 4:44pm

Terri White was homeless at one point. So glad she's made it back to the stage and is living well.
Such a touching story...
If this isn't rags to riches, I don't know what is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7BdSyFONWQ
Updated On: 4/28/11 at 04:44 PM

[WOSQ]

Broadway Rags-to-Riches Stories#8

Posted: 4/28/11 at 4:45pm

Barbra:
Graduated high school at 16-17
Broadway debut at 19
Funny Girl at 21.

"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher