Everyone wants to be on Broadway

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:43pm

As I've previously posted, I'm in the middle of William Goldman's The Season. Made the unfortunate error of taking it down to the apartment complex pool this afternoon. Everyone seemed to think I gave them carte blanche to talk about their hidden theatrical aspirations.

One guy was a salesman for his entire life but always wanted to be an actor ("it made you look like you were a f*g back then"). Now that he's retired, he's doing community theater.

Another woman thought it necessary to tell me how talented her grandchildren are and how much she loves Bill Brantley.

Ah, Broadvay.

[pants2]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:46pm

bahahahahahahaha oooooooo truth, but my favorite is when you see the 12 year old girls with braces and wicked blairing in their head thinking they're gonna come to new york and they'll either be in wicked or something else they really enjoy doing. (i've heard girls say that)

yeah..... dream on girls

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:57pm

like being talented is really a qualification for those cast in Wicked?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:57pm

Yes, the girl on my street who fits the profile pants2 described informed me that she is going to play Elphaba. I told her she'd have to work very hard and start at the bottom, and she said, "No, I just gonna play Elphie, I don't want ta do nuthin else." Bless her heart, this cross-eyed child is gonna end up in a Rocco Siffredi movie.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:10pm

Well, you never know do ya? I mean now that you can get everything remade, anything can and does happen right? Let them keep dreaming cause reality is rough, even if you have the talent. Without goals, you are pretty reckless in life.

Though yes, it is amazing how some kids believe they will start at the top but we know that has happened. It is just the case of being the right person or convincing someone you are that right person to fill the role. Or else, get the right connection right? How many have been created by some Producer by just walking the streets? Say Lana Turner for one.

I just never say never because I have been surprised before, sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. You don't have to be beautiful to be a star on Broadway, you just have the have the right connections, right look and be in the right place at the right time.

With all of these things, I try not to discourage anyone of anything and actually, I hope to be surprised. If they are that disappointing, I hope I miss the show.

[evadiva]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:37pm

Kids are clueless. They don't know the realities. They aren't afraid to speak out because they haven't had enough people tell them "like it is" yet.

But everyone on Broadway was once a kid with the same dreams saying the same things.

There are millions of talented people. Many are actually talented enough to do it. But who makes it?

The ones who take a ton of classes. The ones who keep wanting to get better. The ones who are willing to be poor when their friends are getting "real jobs" and making enough money to get really nice stuff. The ones who sit for hours in open calls and at Equity calls on the "future members list" with no guaruntee to be seen. The ones with flexible jobs. The ones who have support around them. And the ones who say f!@# you to people who put them down.

You never know which one of those kids will be the next Hunter Foster or Kerry Butler. So be careful. 10 years from now you might be stagedooring them.

And wouldn't that be something?

[Broadwayfanatic2]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:39pm

Who wouldn't want to make it on Broadway?


Oh ya.... people who don't like it and who wouldn't want to...

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:47pm

From what I've heard...Linda Balgord still has those pipe dreams and that clueless mentality.

Poor gal.

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 6:47pm

I have one of those kids that wants to be on Broadway!
Most of these kids will have given up the dream long before they are old enough to play the parts they want. But, Broadway wannabes grow up to be Broadway ticket buyers... at least --- and possibly, if the stars are in alignment, actual Elphabas!
Isn't it GREAT that everyone wants to be on Broadway!
Updated On: 8/27/08 at 06:47 PM

[WhatYouOwn27]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 7:01pm

you know that makes me sad that salesman dude. I mean if somebody really wants to be an actor they should get up and BE one. There's community theatre everywhere. just go to an audition! you know?

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 7:48pm

You left out of the hard work scenario, there are also the ones who have relatives who are rich, are in the biz or who have a family name of those who are in the biz. You know the names.

Just like any place else, Broadway has the "who you know" syndrome.

As far as kids are concerned, most want to be professional athletes, something in show biz and/or doctors. That's what being a kid is all about, dreaming a dream.

Updated On: 7/6/07 at 07:48 PM

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 7:56pm

There was a sad and filthy message here put on by [e-mail] using my name and avatar. Yuk.

I really don't appreciate [e-mail] hijacking my account. You are pathetic.
Updated On: 7/6/07 at 07:56 PM

[supportivemom]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:07pm

pants- my 12yo daughter has a girl in her drama class that fits this description to a T! My daughter said she is always "trying" to sing songs from Wicked. The worst part about her is she tells people they are jealous of her because she is more talented than them! Actually, she's the teacher's pet. Believe me, I have heard her sing- she has no pitch, timing, or charisma on stage. She takes no voice or dance lessons. She also hates in when she gets constructive criticism. She will never make it past high school with this attitude! My daughter was laughing so hard when I read her your post. It's like the POD people have taken over these girls!

[WhatYouOwn27]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:10pm

Ugh I hate people like that. they say they are perfect cuz they are actually more worried than anybody else that they ARE terrible and with good reason! They live in denial cuz they know they suck and don't accept it.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:10pm

I personally never wanted to be a Broadway Star. Would I perform for one day on a very special occasion? It would have to benefit a lot of people if I did. I am happy just seeing a great show and hoping I'm not stuck in the middle row for a really bad one.

I enjoyed my visit to New York because all of the shows being so centrally located, that was just great but I much rather see the shows come to my neck of the woods. I enjoy the view more from where I live.

Only New York though has the big venues, so that is it's lure and good food. It has it's downsides though too, like Hotel fees, yikes! Flight delays, weather, shopping downtown, all of those can be much better but of course out of most people's control for the most part. I think, as far as entertainment and restaurants, it was very well situated. I was very comfortable walking downtown and all of you New Yorkers deserve much praise for making it so tourist friendly.

It draws in the talent because of the opportunities it offers some very talented people. Someone has to pay for the show, so I am very happy to be able to sit and just enjoy the show, where ever it happens to be.

It is that paycheck that I think many are really looking forward to. Most who work on stage in Broadway are hardly famous or even well know except for in New York. For that reason alone though, it is worth striving for if you are an Entertainer who loves working on a stage.

[WhatYouOwn27]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:14pm

That isn't true. I wanna be on broadway cuz I love to entertain people. I couldn't care less about money. I have been doing shows since I was three and have never been payed for a single one. But I keep doing it.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:28pm

Exactly. Even Broadway doesn't pay enough money to make it's performers rich. In fact, most Broadway performers make less than the average person.

[mateo]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:45pm

my vagina makes more in one night than raul esparza does in a month!

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:51pm

mateo, I think I just died... I;ll drink to that.

PS
I love Raul

and I don't care if I get a bway show, a tour, a hotel sit down , a show in someone's living room in ohio... I would be grateful just to do what I love. I don't care how much I get paid or where it is. I just want to know I am doing what I love somewhere in this world and making someone watching me very happy.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 9:16pm

I'm an aspiring actress. My goal is to make a living acting in New York, whether that be on Broadway or Off Off Off Broadway. Of course I'm not going to say I dont care about the money. I definatly care about money when it comes to having to pay for a place to live and something to eat. As long as I can get by I'll be really really happy. If I could get work as an actress ANYWHERE I'll be happy. I definatly don't do it because I want to be a star or I want to be famous. Those things aren't even on my list of why I want to do this for a living.

[evadiva]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 10:27pm

"You left out of the hard work scenario, there are also the ones who have relatives who are rich, are in the biz or who have a family name of those who are in the biz. You know the names."



Amen