I hear a certain ex popstar who's uber talented and awesome and ammaaazing, is looking for her next B'way show, oh wait, she's trying to go after all the dark, edgy roles, rather than the natural fits, like a WT. Which is so strange since said ex-popstar has been repeatedly quoted as never having had a drink/drug, or using foul language. So much more an "Eileen" than say, a certain Green girl, or a performance artist. I guess that's why it's called, "acting".
Just another opinion - something I've always been in awe of concerning screen acting is creating and maintaining a consistant characterization over many days/weeks/months when things are shot out of sequence, or even sometimes with huge breaks in between. I know in stage acting, you can work the arc of a character and let it build upon itself in real time. The whole concept of pulling things out of the air here and there and then having it all fit together in the end is fascinating to me.
I believe I heard Meryl Streep say that because she has no idea what the true arc will be, she does something radically different in each take, allowing the director and editor a full range of colors, if you will, to 'paint' the final product. For someone who is so entrenched in the theatre world, I find that VERY difficult and am in awe of those who make it look effortless.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
Just explaining my "Hollywood Hacks" comment. I think a Hollywood Hack is someone who has been based in California and has no talent. People like Queen Latifah, who do have talent to offer, are therefore, not included when I say Hollywood Hack.
"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one."
-Stella Adler
There are people on Broadway who are awful. They are hacks as well, just not Hollywood Hacks. As for people who miss "a whole lotta performances," stop with the Donna bashing. I know that that was supposed to be a reference to her. She's out of the show now, so just let it go.
"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one."
-Stella Adler
I don't wish Brooke any ill, but I personally don't think she is very talented. If you happen to like her as a performer, then I hope you enjoy her performance in "Wonderful Town."
"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one."
-Stella Adler
I can understand alot of people's points, but a lot of it seems like blatant snobbery. Because someone has been trained in Shakespeare and Chekov, they are automatically deemed talented? You could train for me years in the classics and in acting techniques and you as hell aren't going to get a Tony worthy performance out of me. There are many, many Hollywood actors that are classically trained, its not just for theatre actors. Film/tv acting and theatre acting are two very different genres which require different skills, but one isn't necessarily greater than the other. I rememeber an interview with Erika Slezak (most known for being on One Life To Live, winning I believe 5 Emmys) in which she discussed the transition from being a theatre actress into television acting. She said it was the hardest thing she had ever done. She had to tone herself down. In theatre, she would use her whole body while acting whereas television limited her to strictly using her face and upper torso. Its a different notion all together. And maybe its just me, but I've seen a better performance track record from actors in films than I have actors on stage, but I don't think any less of a stage actor...
I think Erika is one of the best actreses on television, though I wish they'd push her to the front burner and give her more airtime. She deserved every Emmy that beat Susan Lucci for...
DGrant: "Do you honestly think that when producing a sondheim show, producers expect to turn a massive profit? No. And they certainly dont pull this stunt casting in order to."
The Chris Kattan debacle comes dangerously close to negating your point, theatreboy.
Don't forget the choice of Vanessa Williams over Billy Porter for the role of the Witch in Into the Woods. No comment on the rest of this thread.
Marquise, maybe YOU were in favor of that choice, but it seems many others on here believe otherwise. Holy hell, she is beautiful though. I do wish I had caught the ITW revival. Billy Porter would've been a really interesting choice though. I'm all for unconventional casting.