Dear Hunter Foster, Meredith Patterson, Chris Sieber and Anyone Else With Internet Access — Page 6

Here's what I don't understand - a lot of Hollywood/Entertainment Industry has financed shows (in addition to starring in some). I believe Jay-Z and Will Smith helped finance Fela, which is why they were there, Morrison was in 3 successful shows, and Lea was in SA, CZJ has a theater background, Denzel has done BW or Theater in the Park, as have others. All of these people, who know have a larger audience than the traditional BW star might be able to bring more people to shows. And yet, they complain, bitch and moan.

To me, being somewhat removed from the whole argument, it seems that these BW twits want the money and the benefits from casting stars (and having stars fund shows), but still don't think they belong in the club. So, in their eyes, the Hollywood stars are the help, and can't eat at the dinner table with the "real" actors.

Methinks a couple of those folks needs to go overtime with their shrinks and work through the self-image issues that come screaming out of their position.

Or, if HW really does not feel welcome, there is always the chance that LA Live (which is supposed to be LA's version of Times Square, and is very popular) - could expand to add a theater or two - the Music Center is literally a mile or so north of the venues. It would not take much to connect the dots and find a viable alternative to an unwelcoming BW.

Regardless, I found these BW stars to be insufferable twits who luckily condescend to us so we have the infrequent honor of witnessing their talent.

Updated On: 6/21/10 at 12:16 AM

Wow, it looks like she re-opened her blog and deleted the offending paragraph, as well as all the comments.

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Sometimes, it seems these folks forget the "business" part of "show business." IMO theater (and Broadway) should not be some secret decoder ring, only accessible to a small few - but a buffet of choices and tastes. They may not like Hollywood's influence on BW, but they sure probably like the money it brings.

Meanwhile, Million Dollar Quartet (Foster's show) is bringing in Melissa Etheridge to bring in customers so it can continue its run. You know, the woman who has won an Academy Award (and Grammys) for her music.

I just find it to be so incredibly mean spirited (stemming it seems out of jealousy), short sighted, and hypercritical.

Updated On: 6/21/10 at 01:17 AM

I am still amazed at how oblivious these actors are to the level of exposure this has.

I kind of expected the needy attention-grab aspect of their posts (I mean, their bitter and out of work for the most part and have to get their fix somehow) but I thought that they would be more savvy in how they express themselves.

Who would want to work with Hunter now? He seems to be the ringleader of a divisive "movement" aimed at....well, nothing really other than being divisive.

Whether or not that was what he intended, it is what it is now.

I wouldn't want him in my cast if I was a producer. Too much work and money go into producing a show to bother with people who have attitude issues.

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I don't understand the stance Sieber/Patterson/etc are taking.

Denzel Washington first appeared on Broadway in 1988. 1988! And he won an Obie even earlier, in 1981. Catherine Zeta-Jones at 17 appeared in the chorus of The Pajama Game in a national tour of the UK and the next year appeared in 42nd Street in the West End. How can one claim they should not be on stage?

Brantley and Isherwood both said in their should win/will win picks that Scarlett Johansson deserved to win the Tony. It's not just the Tony voters; the critics liked her performance too.

I saw all 5 Actress in a Musical performances, and I think CZJ gave a worthy performance (in the theater, not on the telecast). All of the other four had a big factor against them (Baldwin and Noll were in closed shows; some people think Glover's acting is not up to par and some people don't like Memphis; Everyday Rapture is struggling to sell non-subscription tickets and doesn't seem to be striking a chord with the public). I guess Sieber is saying that Michael Douglas paid the producers of Finian's Rainbow and Ragtime to close their shows several months ago to reduce the competition -- boy, that Michael Douglas plans ahead!

And we should be shocked that an actor appearing on Broadway is SMOKING? Has Meredith Patterson actually MET a Broadway actor?

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Updated On: 6/21/10 at 09:00 AM

That big name better have a lock on his/her dressing room.

They wouldn't even need to worry. If they were cast, Hunter Foster or Chris Sieber or whomever would kowtow to the big name and say how wonderful it is to be working with them in interviews. They're all hypocrisy and no bite.

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What's on Stage article about it (sorry about some of the typos in the article, im not sure what happened there)

Anyway, enjoy

http://www.whatsonstage.com/blog/theatre/northwest/E8831277137355/Give+Us+Back+The+Spotlight.html

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Updated On: 6/21/10 at 12:49 PM

I'm still not even what purpose this "movement" has. It's more like a bitch thread.

A very public and career-suicidal bitch fest.

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song and dance, this is one GOOD article! :)

Thanks paulofanclem

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The longer this goes on the more ridiculous it gets. I also noticed that a lot of big names joined the group but are not commenting. I don't think many people realize what the group stands for or what it means. It's moronic at this point.

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well Kate Baldwin DID make a status urging people to join the group. But it was made on one of the first days of the groups existence.

Kate Baldwin join GIVE THE TONYS BACK TO BROADWAY. Please and thank you.
June 17 at 9:53am