Jessica Vosk- Anita Video- Page 3

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:19pm

FlyHigh523, do you actually believe that Jessica Vosk maliciously intended to screw over Laurel and her friend by doing the role she signed a contract to perform? Sometimes things don't always work out as you plan, but you truly believe she acted with such ill will that calling her a "not great person" is warranted? I mean, really.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:19pm

Wow. It’s almost like, she was lead Elphaba and like that was her role? Just a thought...
 

 

 

Updated On: 12/6/18 at 05:19 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:21pm

Can the mods please close this thread? It’s going absolutely nowhere.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:21pm

FlyHigh523 said: "Catsbroadwayfan said: "FlyHigh523 said: "kelsey1389 said: "Littleshopofcarrie said: "kelsey1389 said: "I logged out of twitter last night because that stuff was getting so ugly. I will say that everyone certainly overreacted, and that includes Vosk. Replying to comments, going into dms and acting this defensive (and at times, rude) didn't help her case, nor did it solve the situation. Twitter isn't a huge fan of her to begin with, so I'm assuming that played a part as well."

Why doesnt the twitter community like her?"



I don’t know everything, but I do know that there was a lot of accusations about her being not great with her standbys on tour: like she used to call out every sunday mat, so on the last sunday of her standby’s contract, her whole family came out to see the standby and then jess suddenly decided she wanted the mat (this had apparently happened several times) also, there’s just been a lot of drama with her just being kind of obnoxious on social media (similar to last night) and then there’s a whole fight over how she should not have been the 15th Elphaba (again, not sure if this is everything and i don’t know how true everything here is, but i’ve heard the standby thing a ton of times from a lot of people) also the kickstarter thing, and her acting like she was like, constantly harassed for it

This is all true, she screwed Laurel Harris over big time. Her friend was unable to see Laurel as Elphaba because Jessica went on when she previously said she was going to take a personal day. She also promised everybody on KickStarter to donate money with things that would incentivize them (coffee dates, etc) and has not followed up almost two years later. It's a bad look.

"The kickstarter thing is eh. But Laurel wasn’t lead elphba, Jessica is. As much as it sucks, its Jessica’s role not Laurels."

It is Jessica's role and Laurel's role and Hannah Shankman's role... not really seeing what your point is. When she says she's going to be out, and screws over Laurel (probably the nicest human being on the planet), then yeah, that's going to get negative reactions. It just shows that she's not as great of a person as everyone makes her out to be."

No it's Jessica's role since she is lead. If she is unavailable then the standby is there to fill in. If both are unavailable then the understudy goes on. Jessica is under no obligation to give anyone a show. Same way Jackie does not have to give the standby on tour a show. They are doing their jobs and not screwing anyone over by it.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:28pm

Thank you for failing to answer my question. You may want to consider another platform for your unsolicited ad hominems. 

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:36pm

"No it's Jessica's role since she is lead. If she is unavailable then the standby is there to fill in. If both are unavailable then the understudy goes on. Jessica is under no obligation to give anyone a show. Same way Jackie does not have to give the standby on tour a show. They are doing their jobs and not screwing anyone over by it."

Exactly. She doesn't owe anyone anything lol

Also, I've seen Jessica as Elphaba on broadway and tour and she is sensational. Everyone go see her!

Updated On: 12/6/18 at 05:36 PM

[WickedFan1615]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:37pm

OK this has really gotten out of hand.  

1. Jessica sang at a concert.  Apparently they asked her to do an accent and she did.  End of story.   Should they have asked a Latina performer? Maybe, but that has nothing to do with Jessica.  
2. She does not owe understudies shows.   Plans change.   Neither Emily or Laurel seems upset about it so why should anyone else be?

Please stop bashing her. 

Updated On: 12/6/18 at 05:37 PM

[FlyHigh523]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:38pm

I just see these issues being created! Never said she was out to sabotage anyone, she's just made some questionable choices as an actress and a lot of people don't like her for it. Anyways, sorry for deflecting from the post. Point being, the Anita Video was not good and her responses to people calling her out were rude. I just think she should apologize instead of playing victim. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:40pm

I'm not going to get into the racial/ethnic dynamics and people bashing social justice and using individual examples to derail an entire movement that is beyond this small bubble of BWW and theatre performers. I will say that from GreeneStreet's initial posts (multiple posts) it seems just from an actor's standpoint, her accent was bad all-around. Again, going by GreeneStreet's initial posts.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 5:44pm

FlyHigh523 said: "I just see these issues being created! Never said she was out to sabotage anyone, she's just made some questionable choices as an actress and a lot of people don't like her for it. Anyways,sorry for deflecting from the post. Point being, the Anita Video was not good and her responses to people calling her out were rude. I just think she should apologize instead of playing victim."

She has nothing to apologize for. She did what she was directed to do. People calling her out were beyond rude. Especially the girl that said f*** you and told her to block her on Instagram. Then this kid tweets private DMs between them. 

 

They drive me nuts as do Laurels crazy fans(I love Laurel btw and was at her debut in Fresno). 

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 6:31pm

I'm amazed that the Children on this board think that Jessica Vosk is a bad person for playing a performance which she was contractually obligated to perform because they think this means Vosk must have something against her understudies.  I don't understand how deluded or, frankly, stupid you have to be... 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 6:58pm

Twitter/Tumblr/Broadway Stan’s in general are all awful. Their age shows in what they choose to get SO emotionally invested in, as if there aren’t bigger issues in the world.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 7:09pm

Sondheimite said: "I'm amazed that the Children on this board think that Jessica Vosk is a bad person for playing a performance which she was contractually obligated to perform because they think this means Vosk must have something against her understudies. I don't understand how deluded or, frankly, stupid you have to be..."

VERY!!!

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 7:59pm

Just for the record, I get that I’m on twitter and i’m young and whatever, but i don’t reallt agree with everything that’s being said about her, just showing y’all what happens on twitter

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 8:20pm

Ok, I watched the performance. Her accent was good. If this is causing controversy. what will happen when Speilgberg's remake of West side Story comes out with Rita Moreno playing Pop's role? You think the Jets would hang out in a PR Soda Shop?

 

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 12/6/18 at 8:21pm

natashalost said: "I am latina and I do find a problem with this, moreso on whoever was the casting director for this show than Jessica. If you are casting someone specifically to do the Anita part of a West Side Story song, you should atleast TRY to cast a latina actress. There is a seriously problem with diversity in the theatre industry, and the casting of Jessica sure does not help the problem, neither does her accepting the role. Shame on the casting director.

I think Jessica should have just apologized, accepted that she was wrong and we all could have moved on."

No you shouldn’t try cast a specific race! Do people not realise by closing this door you close many others. 

If only Latinx actresses can play Anita then only white actresses can play Christine or Carlotta. See how racist that sounds. 

Yes fight for equality and fight for diversity but this way of doing it is wrong. 

These people don’t care about theatre! It’s all virtue signalling and who can be the most offended! 

Cast any show any way you want as a creative! If there’s an audience there’ll be an audience if you have a voice.

also this was a ffffffing concert! I hate this BS! 

 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 9:11am

What's the difference between ensuring only Latinx people play Latinix roles in a show where race and ethnic tension and discrimination is the center of the show and making sure we don't have an all-white version of The Wiz, Dreamgirls, and/or A Raisin in the Sun?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 10:05am

Gizmo6 said: "If only Latinx actresses can play Anita then only white actresses can play Christine or Carlotta. See how racist that sounds."

The difference is that West Side Story is about race and, as you know, The Phantom of the Opera is not. A show can’t be about a racial divide if there isn’t actually a racial divide depicted on stage. This is a concert, so it’s a little less clear cut, but I think everyone should be able to understand this concept. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 10:09am

I dunno, what if a popular white Broadway performer posted a video of themselves singing Sal Tlay Ka Siti complete with an accent?

[FlyHigh523]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 10:52am

TheQuibbler said: "Gizmo6 said: "If only Latinx actresses can play Anita then only white actresses can play Christine or Carlotta. See how racist that sounds."

The difference is thatWest Side Storyis about race and, as you know,The Phantom of the Operais not. A show can’t be about a racial divide if there isn’t actually a racial divide depicted on stage. This is a concert, so it’s a little less clear cut, but I think everyone should be able to understand this concept."

Absolutely agreed. I think that is the main problem people have with this.

[CedricOates]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 10:55am

Here’s my two little cents that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. I am a hispanic actor. I’m so proud of my heritage, which comes from many different backgrounds (Europe and Africa and the Caribbean).

I’m all for different people taking on different roles. Like casting an African American as Pierre. Or a Filipina American as Christine. I’m not sure how I stand on this honestly, being hispanic myself. If there is a Hispanic actor playing Aladdin, I’m very happy that he had the chance to do it. But is that role only supposed to be played by someone with Asian heritage? Maybe. Is casting an African American or Asian American as Usnavi taking away from a Hispanic American? Maybe. Is Evan Hansen only supposed to be white? Will there ever be a PoC play Elders Price and Cunningham? Questions to be pondered on.

I think we all just need to have a little more level headedness in all this. We are all human. Mistakes will be made. Hate does nothing for us. Actors need to eat too. Jobs don’t come as often as we think they do. Play Anita and have food on the table, or don’t play Anita and go jobless for a while?

All love. Everyone have a great day.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 11:37am

CedricOates said: "Here’s my two little cents that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. I am a hispanic actor. I’m so proud of my heritage, which comes from many different backgrounds (Europe and Africa and the Caribbean).

I’m all for different people taking on different roles. Like casting an African American as Pierre. Or a Filipina American as Christine. I’m not sure how I stand on this honestly, being hispanic myself. If there is a Hispanic actor playing Aladdin, I’m very happy that he had the chance to do it. But is that role only supposed to be played by someone with Asian heritage? Maybe. Is casting an African American or Asian American as Usnavi taking away from a Hispanic American? Maybe. Is Evan Hansen only supposed to be white? Will there ever be a PoC play Elders Price and Cunningham? Questions to be pondered on.

I think we all just need to have a little more level headedness in all this. We are all human. Mistakes will be made. Hate does nothing for us. Actors need to eat too. Jobs don’t come as often as we think they do. Play Anita and have food on the table, or don’t play Anita and go jobless for a while?

All love. Everyone have a great day."

Thank you for this very sensible post.

[CedricOates]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 1:27pm

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "CedricOates said: "Here’s my two little cents that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. I am a hispanic actor. I’m so proud of my heritage, which comes from many different backgrounds (Europe and Africa and the Caribbean).

I’m all for different people taking on different roles. Like casting an African American as Pierre. Or a Filipina American as Christine. I’m not sure how I stand on this honestly, being hispanic myself. If there is a Hispanic actor playing Aladdin, I’m very happy that he had the chance to do it. But is that role only supposed to be played by someone with Asian heritage? Maybe. Is casting an African American or Asian American as Usnavi taking away from a Hispanic American? Maybe. Is Evan Hansen only supposed to be white? Will there ever be a PoC play Elders Price and Cunningham? Questions to be pondered on.

I think we all just need to have a little more level headedness in all this. We are all human. Mistakes will be made. Hate does nothing for us. Actors need to eat too. Jobs don’t come as often as we think they do. Play Anita and have food on the table, or don’t play Anita and go jobless for a while?

All love. Everyone have a great day."

Thank you for this very sensible post."

Thank you, very much appreciated :)

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 12/7/18 at 9:39pm

I’m all for different people taking on different roles. Like casting an African American as Pierre. Or a Filipina American as Christine. I’m not sure how I stand on this honestly, being hispanic myself. If there is a Hispanic actor playing Aladdin, I’m very happy that he had the chance to do it. But is that role only supposed to be played by someone with Asian heritage? Maybe. Is casting an African American or Asian American as Usnavi taking away from a Hispanic American? Maybe. Is Evan Hansen only supposed to be white? Will there ever be a PoC play Elders Price and Cunningham? Questions to be pondered on.
 

I think this very articulate post raises a great point and that’s that there is no one hard and fast rule when it comes to this stuff. It’s going to depend on the role, the story, the actor, the type of production, etc.

Trying to apply the same casting logic to a show like Phantom of the Opera, to borrow an example used earlier, to West Side Story is a false equivalency. One is a show about racial conflict where some of the roles were created specifically for actors of a certain race and one is a show where race isn’t at all relevant to the story or themes of the show and has never been affected by colorblind casting. 

Creatives need to be as thoughtful as possible when it comes to casting and as open as possible when the public feels the need to speak up, which really isn’t asking that much. Similarly, those who feel compelled to speak out against certain casting should really try to not jump straight to attack mode and explain their perspectives in a respectful way, as many in this thread have done very well. 

Unfortunately this stuff isn’t going to just get solved overnight. Racial bias is deeply ingrained into every aspect of our society and there are going to be bumps and backslides that come with the progress. The best we can all do is try to be patient and respectful with each other and commit to doing better in the future. 

 

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 12/8/18 at 12:52am

I agree that racial divides are at the crux of WSS, but apparently in the casting of the movie the creators didn’t emphasize it as much as some on this board would have preferred it to be. Maria and her brother were played by actors who were the children of Russian immigrants to the United States. It didn’t impact the intensity of the racial divide for me when seeing the movie. In other words, this comparison of casting WSS to POTO is pretty ineffective.