Chester See and Frankie Grande joining Rock of Ages

[RW3]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 10:48am

I'm not even sure what to think
Chester See: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/YouTube-Star-Chester-See-to-Make-Broadway-Debut-in-ROCK-OF-AGES-20141014

Frankie Grande: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ariana-Grandes-Brother-Frankie-to-Star-as-Franz-in-Broadways-ROCK-OF-AGES-20141021

[RW3]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 11:00am

Update: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Frankie-Grande-Lauren-Zakrin-to-Join-Broadways-ROCK-OF-AGES-Tony-Nominee-Constantine-Maroulis-Extends-Run-20141021

[BwayBuff2]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 11:02am

Frankie Grande is just a (fake) personality. Not too much talent. His parents are super rich and just bought his way to Broadway. Come on, Rock of Ages! You don't need publicity stunts like this.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 11:32am

Frankie is also a producer of a few Broadway flops. And it's not is if his stint on Big Brother cultivated a larger fan base for him. Quite the opposite.

[starcatchers]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 2:48pm

The good news? Lauren Zakrin is going to be amazing. However, I've managed to avoid this show over its five years, and will continue to do so...

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 3:08pm

I don't know what a Chester See is but I typed this Grande person into YouTube. You lucky, lucky Rock of Ages Patrons!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqYWZ3Yf1PQ

First comment:
Brawl4831: You sound like a dying whale!?

Indeed.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 3:26pm

I find him obnoxious and intolerable.

[phantomoftheopera]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 4:02pm

Frankie does still have a surprisingly large "Grandtourage" (I think that's what his fans call themselves?) even with the amount of hate he got from Big Brother, and from what I can tell a lot of them are already planning on going. A BB cast member tweeted the whole cast is going to his opening (which I'm not sure I believe) but if its true it should bring in a lot of people..

[Starship]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 5:09pm

The only reason Frankie is in the show is because with him comes a large portion of Ariana's fanbase since she massively supports everything he does. So there's that. But, Chester See is actually a pretty talented vocalist and it's exciting to see Broadway recognizing some talented YouTube singers.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 6:25pm

Gross.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 6:36pm

Mister Matt, What shows did Stankee produce that were flops? I thought his only Broadway experience was Mama Mia.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 6:36pm

Double post Updated On: 10/21/14 at 06:36 PM

[wheelsofadream2]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 9:24pm

He produced Born Yesterday and had money in Jude Law's Hamlet.


. Updated On: 10/21/14 at 09:24 PM

[Wickedmonkey332]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 10:39pm

With Constantine extending with Frankie until Jan 18- is this the end for ROA???

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 11:38pm

I hate sharing a name with someone who looks like the result of Adam Lambert giving a Constantine look-a-like an unwarranted makeover.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/22/14 at 1:04am

Ya know, I won't debate talent. - that is all opinion. I won't debate our thoughts of his non-theatrical endeavors and like choices and status as his sister' solder gay brother. That is a whole other kettle of fish.
I do really have to take issue with the notion of Frankie Grande "buying his way" into the Broadway cast of Mamma Mia... what a nonsensical statement.

Zakrin will be fantastic.. Such a shame to have her aster opposite Maroulis.

[BwayBuff2]

Posted: 10/22/14 at 12:20pm

It's not just a notion. Have you seen him perform? He's nowhere near the caliber required to be in a Broadway show. Even if it is Mamma Mia! The production of Pageant he did earlier this year (before it received an extended Off-Broadway run) was only done because he originally produced it. And then he put himself in it. If you have the money you can do whatever show you want! But, it did give other actors jobs and allowed the show to have a longer life Off-Broadway. But, for those of us that are in close quarters to Mr. Grande and his circle of friends it is known that he comes from a very wealthy family that help support him.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/22/14 at 12:26pm

Buff, to be fair, you are not aware of what "quarters" I keep either... And yes, it is very well known that his family is wealthy and support him.. Hell, do you remember how much money he used to raised fom next to no one for Broadway Bares?'b

As far as quality of actor on Broadway, perhaps I am jaded because I have seen awful people of all stripes in all sorts of shows who booked jobs for all sorts of reasons.

And as far as that staging of Pageant earlier this year, it WAS a BC/EFA benefit, not a standard production.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/22/14 at 9:19pm

Frankie was actually a very big supporter of his lil' Sis before she was so Grande. So if some of her luster drops off on him now, so be it. Frankie is over-the-top and sometimes hard to take but he is a sweet guy IMO and does a lot of work with kids in Africa.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/22/14 at 9:22pm

^^ That doesn't mean he should be on Broadway. If this was a new or actually popular show it would never happen.

[Feste]

Posted: 10/22/14 at 11:53pm

I've followed Chester on YouTube for a number of years now... he writes his own songs and has a great voice, charisma and is very nice to look at. I think he's great for a show like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVl5s1e0Oo4

Updated On: 10/22/14 at 11:53 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/23/14 at 12:18am

No one "should" be on Broadway.

[BwayBuff2]

Posted: 10/23/14 at 5:15pm

Very true, BroadwayGuy...these days there are plenty of mediocre people who get to perform on a Broadway stage each night for all sorts of reasons. And yes, Frankie has done a lot of good things in the community when it comes to benefits and such. I'm just not a big fan of him as a performer. Nice guy? Yes. A little self-indulgent? Of course.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/24/14 at 12:19am

Some of the most talented actors and creatives never set foot on Broadway, but work steadily and strongly in the regions where they are happy. Many of them can run rings around hosts of a Broadway staples. Open a Playbill in a broadway house, you see a pattern... You just happen to be someone's favorite or you sell a lot of tickets, you went to the "right" school where someone on the creative team went and so they go for those alumni first, etc etc etc...
And yes, like so people complain of Frankie being self indulgent, which to won't disagree with, I often find myself semi-shocked at how many folks on a Broadway sign in sheet are exactly the same when no one knows their name..

[Monty12112]

Posted: 12/21/14 at 9:45am

Went to the Stage Door after the show. Everyone came out and signed and took pictures. Not everyone had their own Sharpie so bring your own just in case.