"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
"Why do most people have to be aware of anything? What are the minimum requirements that need to be met for it to be acceptable? What if you paid your dues elsewhere, just not on Broadway? Honestly, the only real complaining we hear are about the Hollywood actors, especially if they are young and/or popular. Anyone else gets a pass."
Because people are people, like it or not. I love how when we get on these message boards we can act super human and above felling base emotions. Just like any other career if an upstart (young or old) is placed in a coveted positions, people will want to know they're qualifications. Especially if they were vying for that position and have more credits. Im playing devils advocate.
I see how the star and stunt casting is lucrative and positive for commercial theatre. But on the other hand i also can see how frustrating it can be. Anyway we digress.
Just like any other career if an upstart (young or old) is placed in a coveted positions, people will want to know they're qualifications.
But the behavior is not that people want to know their qualifications, which only needs to be justified to the director and producers, who can choose to cast an experienced unknown if they wish. These nasty bitches are assuming that if someone comes from Hollywood, they are undeserving of being cast or of winning an award. I am certainly not above feeling base emotions. Having worked in theatre for nearly two decades, I am acutely aware of the sense of unfairness in pre-casting roles with a more popular actor, setting aside roles for personal friends and relations, dismissing an actor at the preliminary audition because you are not familiar with their credits, or artistic directors who plan their seasons to star in every show themselves. But in almost every case (except the last), I don't blame the ACTOR. What we have been seeing are shots fired at the actors for performing in the shows for which they have been cast to the best of their abilities. If someone gets a part over me, then I was not what the director wanted, for whatever reason. I might think the director is an idiot, but I'm not going to blame the actor who accepted a role that wasn't offered to me. What would knowing their qualifications (or lack thereof) do, especially in the world of acting where people can be naturally gifted enough to land a leading role in their first audition while others with years of credits and training can be average enough to work steadily in minor roles? That is what this career is like and most working actors are aware of this.
Bet Scarlett Johansson would like to retract her acceptance speech about now.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Who is the upstart? Hasn't Scarlett Johannsenn been acting since she was a kid?
I love how when we get on these message boards we can act super human and above felling base emotions.
I don't see that around here at all. I see base emotions all the time. Then I see Broadway folks biching about said base emotions, so it's positively delicious when they themselves lose their sh*t and show that yes, they, too, are just human after all as well.
If this had been a decent season, there would have been less opportunity for the producers to cram in the Hollywood stuff, but let's face it, it was a lean year. The Tony AWARD is to honor excellence in the theater. The Tony BROADCAST is to help put asses in the seats.
It's the constant struggle between SHOW and BUSINESS.
And BTW, I wouldn't pay to see Hunter Foster in much of anything, but I'd crawl across crushed glass to see Scarlett Johanssen in just about anything. Same struggle.
First, I want to thank everyone for being a part of this site. It has opened up a lot of discussion which I think is so beneficial. It has given people a chance to voice their opinions. And that's healthy.
I want to remind everyone that this is a positive campaign. It's not about bashing people or their performances. It's about trying to get the Tonys to honor Broadway in a way that influences young people, and gives the fans a chance to experience what theatre is all about.
So...I am asking all of you for your help.
First:
Write 5 positive things that you would change for next years telecast. They can be simple changes. Things that will make the evening more about Broadway.
Second:
Write about your first Tony experience and how special that was to you.
Hopefully, this is the first step. And even if the Tony Committee changes one thing for next year's telecast, it's still a step in the right direction. A positive direction.
"Jennifer Cody To Host New York Musical Theater Festival's BEST OF FEST 6/21"
Is Hunter not going to let her do it if CJZ performs again? Story
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
Write 5 positive things that you would change for next years telecast. They can be simple changes. Things that will make the evening more about Broadway.
There wasn't a single moment in this year's broadcast that wasn't "about Broadway".
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
mister matt youre absolutely right. I hate what is happening in that room with the mud slinging. It IS really gross to read what some have wrote.
I dont condone the action, but i do understand the frustration. And over 3,000 people joined that group. And most are not posting rude things, or posting at all for that matter. So yeah its not only the broadway stars who feel there is a problem with the way casting is done. Which is why i even bother thinking this is important.
"I don't see that around here at all. I see base emotions all the time. Then I see Broadway folks biching about said base emotions, so it's positively delicious when they themselves lose their sh*t and show that yes, they, too, are just human after all as well."
But i also see alot of the opposite. Alot of "this is stupid," "why would you do that," "you shouldn't feel that way" etc. I just wonder if being removed from the situation allows some to actually understand the gravity of it. Or if being removed allows some to pretend they dont understand the gravity.
Got it. I was getting confused. Blame it on Cymbalta. I'm pissed that she got the part of Miss Hannigan in the Annie revival instead of me. I bet she slept with Cathy Jones.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
The issue for me is not about tony awards. Its about casting. But thats not what we are debating here. Hunter stated his issue. Im trying to find the middle ground.
I joined the page just to keep up with what was going on. We all just got this e-mail from hunter:
First, I want to thank everyone for being a part of this site. It has opened up a lot of discussion which I think is so beneficial. It has given people a chance to voice their opinions. And that's healthy.
I want to remind everyone that this is a positive campaign. It's not about bashing people or their performances. It's about trying to get the Tonys to honor Broadway in a way that influences young people, and gives the fans a chance to experience what theatre is all about.
So...I am asking all of you for your help.
First:
Write 5 positive things that you would change for next years telecast. They can be simple changes. Things that will make the evening more about Broadway.
Second:
Write about your first Tony experience and how special that was to you.
Hopefully, this is the first step. And even if the Tony Committee changes one thing for next year's telecast, it's still a step in the right direction. A positive direction.
^PRS posted it too.. i found it interesting. so first he uses sight instead of site, fine. but then he uses "Tony Commitee"? Didn't Denzel get raked for using that term or is he just trying to be funny.