Most of the comments seem to have been made by actors that haven't gotten work on Broadway in quite some time (excluding Sieber, who works fairly consistently).
This just in: Kate Winslet has announced that she will not be playing Lady Macbeth in the Roundabout's upcoming revival of Shakespeare's tragedy MACBETH. In her Chelsea home a tearful and humbled Winslett was quoted as saying, "I didn't realize how inappropriate I was to be doing such a thing. I don't know what I was thinking. Honestly, it was Hunter's Facebook campaign that really made me see the light...this is a part that should be played by a theatre actress, not some dumb Hollywood blonde like me."
Todd Haines, Artistic Director of the Roundabout Theatre and world-class starf**ker issued a statement: "It is a sad day here at the Roundabout. We are very disappointed to hear about Ms. Winslett's departure from this project. But it's Hunter's Facebook campaign that has really made us see the truth about what kind of actors we need to be hiring." Haines went on to say he was so impressed by the monumental Facebook tantrum, that he is now in talks for the MACBETH production to go forward starring Mr. Hunter as the titular role and his sibling Sutton Foster as Lady Macbeth. "We think the incest angle will bring out some new colors in this classic text," Haimes said.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
just wanted to point it out, because upon reading that it seemed like that person was saying she won them outright. Which caused me to have to look them up. Semantics, i know. But i found it important.
"Most of the comments seem to have been made by actors that haven't gotten work on Broadway in quite some time (excluding Sieber, who works fairly consistently).
Can you say BITTER?"
Very possible that some of them are bitter. But there arent enough broadway gigs to go around WITHOUT stunt casting. Let alone with. I can see both sides of this coin.
I joined that page, but how quickly things got out of hand. And how sad it makes me to see Broadway performers shredding some of their Broadway counterparts because they're not American.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
I was not forgetting that Ms. Glover shared a number of those awards. I was merely focusing on the fact that Catherine won them. The Best Actress in a Musical race was thought to be between CZJ and Glover. Thus, the shock (and libel) over either having won is just foolish.
The whole thing infuriates me. Not all celebrity casting is "stunt" casting. Some of the finest and most memorable performances I have ever seen are courtesy of "celebrities."
Without star power, some shows would NEVER be seen by the masses. Think of how many people first experience live theatre due to the casting of a celebrity. And this is bad for the industry HOW?
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
All too ironic for someone who once played Victor Frankenstein.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
My big question for these "actors" is: What will they do when they are cast in a show with a star in it? Will they suddenly love stars on broadway because they are keeping them employed?
"The whole thing infuriates me. Not all celebrity casting is "stunt" casting. Some of the finest and most memorable performances I have ever seen are courtesy of "celebrities."
Without star power, some shows would NEVER be seen by the masses. Think of how many people first experience live theatre due to the casting of a celebrity. And this is bad for the industry HOW? "
Didnt say that ALL celeb casting was stunt casting. But come on Gina Gurshon...haha. That has to be maddening to an actress who didnt get that job. And we can debate back and forth about who is and who isnt capable of giving a good performance. But the fact of the matter is alot of stars on bway IS done purely to get butts in the seats. Not because they are brilliant singers or stage actors. And that does sound like selling out.
But like i said. I can see both sides of the coin. As stunt casting does put buts i the seats.
How is making sure people actually see your show "selling out"? Because I can guarantee you that if NIGHT MUSIC was starring Hunter Foster and Natascia Diaz, selling out would be the last thing they'd be doing.
There's always going to be somebody out there who "would be better" than the person who ultimately does get the job. I can't think of one actor in recent history who has never had a detractor, "Hollywood" star or not.
Didnt say that ALL celeb casting was stunt casting. But come on Gina Gurshon...haha. That has to be maddening to an actress who didnt get that job.
As terrible as Gina Gershon was in Bye, Bye, Birdie...she was excellent in Boeing-Boeing. She's not really stunt-casting at all, and she's a very funny actress in the right role.
Gina is not stunt casting. The entire argument is so stupid. Celebrity and Broadway have always been a part of each other. Some seasons more than other. One of my fondest memories is seeing Lauren Bacall in "Woman Of The Year". The two nights I saw it felt like major events and there was such electricity in the air. And who can forget Hugh Jackman? And Liza for years went back and forth (But I guess she was part of both worlds since she was born)..... and as horrible as it was.. I saw Elizabeth Taylor in "Little Foxes" when I was 11. Those are all pretty cool Broadway memories for me.