Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
#1Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:15pm"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
#2re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:35pmthat really was a great article!
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
#2re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:37pm
yeah i basically love jerry.
do we all remember his really intense interview in the broadway documentary on pbs?
#3re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:48pm
Loved the article! :)
Just one stupid OT question: what number maskes a scene change in Oklahoma?
#4re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:55pm
I loved his contribution to Broadway:The American Musical. When I randomly met him last October at Sweeney Todd, I mentioned that his story brought tears to my eyes! He's such a fabulous talent and wish him all the luck in the world!
For those who don't know the story, it basically concerned him seeing A Chorus Line from the last row of the balcony and saying to himself that one day he would perform on broadway as they did. When he did perform in the chorus of A Chorus Line, he said he remembered looking up in the balcony at the last row and thinking "someone up there will make it too".
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#5re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 7:58pmHe looks GREAT for 47!
nomdeplume
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/05
#6re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 8:30pm
I found this part of the article psychologically intriguing, particulary for recent topics of the Off Topic Board:
"On one side were models like Robbins and Bennett, famous for their sadistic rehearsal-room antics. “I saw Jerry tear down a girl over a period of six months to the point she could have killed herself,” Mr. Mitchell recalled. “And Michael once said to me that the problem with theater today was that human rights were creeping in.”
...
...“You have a choice,” he [Mitchell] said. “You can collaborate by being nice, or by dictating. Either will work. The difference is, are you going to have dinner with anyone afterwards? The way Jerry treated people, I don’t want to have that around me. It’s a musical, for God’s sake. If you want to go it alone, good luck.”
Mr. Mitchell and his partner, Erik Sherr, an actor, have been together for six years. Perhaps because he is not tortured about his sexuality, as both Bennett and Robbins were, he is not torturing either."
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#7re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 8:43pm
i dunno I find that too simplistic--although it does seem that Jerry has a much more balanced and dare I say happy personal life in general than Jerome or Michael.
As for what number in Oklahoma was an "in one" I believe It's a Scandal It's an Outrage was--though actually I think there were a couple (Wasn't Ado Annie and Will's duet one too?) All thos eold R&Hammerstein shows had in one scenes--ie Western People Funny in King and I
#8re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 8:51pmI've had a crush on him for 23 years, since Going Hollywood.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#9re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 10:18pmHe deserves every bit of sucsess!
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#10re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 10:20pmhes so cute.
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#11re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 10:23pmi want a "LET ME BE YOU" shirt
#12re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 10:42pm
"When that didn’t produce the desired result, he simply stepped into the performer’s place and said, “Let me be you,” then played the part: attitude, expression, pirouettes and all.
During the course of the rehearsal Mr. Mitchell did his “Let me be you” act over and over"
As a directing student, I can confidently say the first rule of directing is to pretty much NEVER do the whole "Let me be you" thing. Interesting...
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#13re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 10:52pm
Ah that's what many teachers, etc, tell you but it's no secret that MANY fo the best/most famous directors (especially it seems when they're director/choreographers) worked this way exactly (Fosse, Robbins being obvious examples). Of cours epart of the reason, as they imply is that if you're used to dance clases this is basically how you learn to dance.
E
wicked4life51
Broadway Star Joined: 6/20/04
#14re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 11:17pmit was defiently an amazing article
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#15re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/15/07 at 11:33pm
As a dancer my teacher would always say 'Here like this' or 'Watch Me!' or 'Let me show you how it is done'. As a director my teachers always say NEVER do it for an actor.
Remember that Jerry is a dancer first, director second and that is where it comes from!
#16re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:52am
While he does come from a dance background, dancing and acting are two completely different things.
If he wants to show Laura or Leslie or Orfeh exactly how he wants a dance move done - awesome!
But showing them how he wants them to play their role? I understand that he is the director, but the article makes it SOUND like he was basically giving everyone line readings every 5 seconds.
"No your face should look like THIS!"
"Your walk should be like THIS!"
I like Jerry and I like his work. I am not trying to discredit him as a director. Of course I don't have the whole story and who knows how he really works as a director. But the way the article is worded is not very flattering at times in my opinion.
Not trying to start any wars.
Updated On: 4/16/07 at 01:52 AM
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#17re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 1:59am
Could this account for the not so great word of mouth on Bundy's performance? She is doing Jerry doing Elle, not her own organic performance.
#18re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:48am
I am not ashamed to admit that Jerry's #1 on my Broadway Daddy crush-list... well he's tied actually.
Great read.
#19re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:32amSueleen, I cannot express to you how much I LOVE your icon.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#20re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:43am
Kyle I do get your point completely but I do knwo that some of the big past musical directors have--for good and bad--directed precisely this way...
#21re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 3:47amBut you also cannot compare what someone like Fosse did with any one of his shows, and what Mitchell is doing with Legally Blonde.... you know what I sayin'?
Al Dente
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#22re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:11amSueleen, I think you really nailed it. Bundy's performance definitely suffered as a result of Mitchell's "directing" style. I can't say for sure she'd be all that much better under someone else's more learned direction (I wasn't all that impressed with her Amber) but it couldn't have helped. I'm also going to agree that the article was a bit less than flattering.
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#23re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:14am
I actually think the article was rather sweet. It is just his directing style that I have a problem with.
(Oh, and thanks, Kyle.)
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#24re: Fabulous Jerry Mitchell Article in The New York Times
Posted: 4/16/07 at 8:13pm
"But you also cannot compare what someone like Fosse did with any one of his shows, and what Mitchell is doing with Legally Blonde.... you know what I sayin'?
"
Why? Cuz Fosse's a legend? He wasn't when he was directing Redhead... (not that--and don't jump on me Mitchell fans, I expect him to be the next Fosse by any stretch)
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