Is there a dirth of young leading men?

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:46pm

I had an agent (from a hereafter unnamed agency) tell me that almost all the agencies in town are frantically trying to snap up any young actor who could remotely be the IT guy in the future. They're doing this because there hasn't been a real breakout, as in "pleases the masses", type of young male lead in such a long time. And I know that all of you lovers of BARE (of which I am one ) will chime in and tell me that Michael Arden and Adam Fleming are leading men. But, seriously, can you see either of them playing "classic" young male leads? So my question is: do you think there are precious few true young male leads out there right now? (men in their mid and late thirties don't count. sorry .)

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:50pm

I could seriously see Michael Arden...

Yet, Gavin Creel seems to be an "IT" guy these days. He's done "Millie" and will go on to do "La Cage..." this season.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:50pm

I was just going to say Gavin. What about Cheyenne?

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:51pm

I was going to say Gavin Creel too!

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:51pm

Yeah, I thought about Gavin. I think he's got a GREAT voice....but, nah so much on the acting. Just my opinion.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:53pm

And MNIL made me think...what about Euan? Everyone loves him.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:55pm

remember: I'm talking prototypical Broadway leading men types here. I brought it up not just because of what the agent told me the other day, but becuase there have been a lot of shows that have been auditioning and auditioning and STILL haven't found what they want among current Broadway young men. I'm talking about auditioning for the last year!!

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:55pm

Cheyenne seems much older looking IMO. He's more of a Trevor Gradyn than a Jimmy. He could pull it off though.

Michael Arden fits the bill to me...

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:56pm

I didn't get to see Taboo and I'm really pissed about that. I like his voice a lot. How was his acting?

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:56pm

I think Cheyenne looks older, too, aspiringguy. Not that he's not pretty...

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:58pm

OH LOOOOORD is he pretty

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:59pm

I DO think that Arden could become kind of the "new" template for a young male lead. Musicals certainly tend to be going into that exclusively pop direction. Can he sing legit?

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 2:59pm

Um, I think Euan's acting is terrific. I'm sure other people would disagree with me, but I really think he's got the goods to back up his pretty face.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:00pm

Cool. Thanks, Chrys.

[Trisky]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:02pm

I DO think that Arden could become kind of the "new" template for a young male lead. Musicals certainly tend to be going into that exclusively pop direction. Can he sing legit?

I would actually say his sound is much more suited for "legit" singing than pop singing. I don't think Bare even touches the surface of what he's capable of.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:03pm

Really? What else have you heard him sing that leads you to that conclusion? BARE sounded 100% pop to me.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:03pm

I agree with Euan too.

[timote316]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:04pm

Vocally, Gavin seems to me like a mix of pop and classical, so vocally, he may be the future.

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:04pm

To answer your question BB, Michael trained at Juilliard so I assume his training was legit. Though I don't know if he was there for voice or drama. I've heard him sing songs that were legit before.

Oh Michael, your amazing-ness is too much

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:05pm

I can only speak for myself but I think Gavin has a wonderful voice.

[Trisky]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:07pm

Really? What else have you heard him sing that leads you to that conclusion? BARE sounded 100% pop to me.

Well I've been to both of his concerts, at Opia and Feinstein's, seen him at Joe's Pub on several occassions, etc. His own compositions are much less "pop" and much more traditional theater. I'm trying to think of what he's sung off the top of my head, some Jason Robert Brown, something from Once On This Island, a cut track from A New Brain, John Bucchino, etc. He tends to sing much more traditional theater/cabaret songs.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:07pm

I don't know if he was there for drama or vocal either. I do know he wasn't there very long, however. If someone knows of something he has sung legit, please tell me.

[B.B. Wolf]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:08pm

Thanks Trisky. God, I love John Bucchino's stuff, BTW.

[Trisky]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:08pm

To answer your question BB, Michael trained at Juilliard so I assume his training was legit. Though I don't know if he was there for voice or drama.

He mentioned being there for drama at Feinstein's.

Thanks Trisky. God, I love John Bucchino's stuff, BTW.

He performed in John's production "It's Only Life" this summer and tends to do his music a lot in his own shows.

Updated On: 10/16/04 at 03:08 PM

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 3:10pm

He mentioned being there for drama at Feinstein's.

Thanks Trisky!