Broadway Veterans Known As Being Friendly and Supportive

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 12:22pm

Earlier this morning, I was listening to Julie James (yes, in spite of her) interviewing Telly Leung (Aladdin).  He mentioned Lea Salonga and how she was wonderful with him and other "newbies" during "The Flower Drum Song".  He didn't really get into specifics on how she was supportive to a first timer like him, but he offered a great deal of praise in her direction.  During the interview, he mentioned an interesting anecdote.  At one point during their run, there was a blizzard and just about 30 or so people were in the audience. During this time, some of the ensemble made a request of Lea Salonga.  Obviously, they knew  her as the voice of Princess Jasmine in the film version of Aladdin.  In the midst of this terrible weather, they asked if Lea would sing "A Whole New World."  She did.   This says a lot about how Lea Salonga was willing to be friendly and supportive of her fellow cast members.   Can anyone share any other Broadway vets who were/ are willing to help out newcomers as they get settled into their first roles on the Great White Way?  

Updated On: 3/7/18 at 12:22 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 1:13pm

Taking them "under their wings" is the expression you're thinking of. Broadway vets taking newcomers "into the wings" are likely to get written up in a New York Times expose.

[MyLife]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 1:21pm

I'm trying to figure out why Hairspray being on Broadway at the time is an important detail to the story.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 1:24pm

And I don't even get how her singing "A Whole New World" is "taking them UNDER her wings"!

Weird story all around, PattiFan...

[Rainah]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 2:15pm

I've been told my numerous people that Billy Porter is really great at mentoring young actors and really going the extra mile, placing calls, talking them up to people, ect.

Actually, I've heard Javier Munoz is also willing to go out for coffee and offer advice. 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 10:24pm

Thank you Rainah for  understanding what I was trying to say in my (now edited) original post.  

[StephieElise]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 10:42pm

I know Rob Guest mentored Rob Mills and Anthony Callea when the three of them were in the original Australian cast of Wicked in Melbourne in 2008. Like Guest, Mills and Callea came from pop backgrounds (they were both Australian Idol contestants) and hadn’t worked in theatre much/at all.

After Rob Guest died, producer John Frost said: “People like Anthony Callea and Rob Mills, who has never worked in the theatre before ... The two boys [would be] sitting in the dressing room and Rob [Guest] would be saying, ‘This is the protocol in the theatre, you are not in a rock show now. There is no drinking backstage, you can’t bring girls backstage’.”
Source: http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2008-10-02/rob-guest-dies-after-stroke/528594?pfmredir=sm

After Guest died an award to provide experience and financial assistance to young performers was established and Rob Mills, who was once known as a party animal who had a ‘fling’ with Paris Hilton and is now a frequent leading man in Australian musicals, is a consistent contributer to the annual Rob Guest Endowment Concert.

[haterobics]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 11:26pm

I'm under the impression that this is pretty normal behavior, and nothing surprising. Broadway actors are a pretty supportive community in general. I think the shorter list would be people who didn't do it (hopefully).

I am still perplexed by what singing the Aladdin song accomplished, though?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/7/18 at 11:36pm

I agree with everyone touching on what's the big deal about her singing "A Whole New World" because there were only 30 people in the audience due to a blizzard.  I'm quite sure is fully aware of what work she's done that many associate her with.  Having her sing isn't a farfetched request.  I mean, even though she's had a fantastic career on film and on stage, Stockard Channing is quite aware (and fully embraces) the reality that she will ONLY be known for Rizzo in the 1978 film adaptation of GREASE.  Judy Garland knew whatever else she's done in her career, she would forever be Dorothy from THE WIZARD OF OZ and always concluded her concerts with the song she's most associated with: "Over the Rainbow."  People weren't scared to ask her to sing it.  

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/8/18 at 6:10am

It's called appreciating a kind gesture from an established artist who was famous for a particular song in a famous film.  For example, there's a scene from "Smash" where the Bernadette Peters' character first visits the rehearshal room.  The ensemble were thrilled that they got to hear a famous showtune from a famous person.  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/8/18 at 7:49am

MyLife said: "I'm trying to figure out why Hairspray being on Broadway at the time is an important detail to the story."

This