"No one is overreacting! All I said is "Just curious---what difference does it make?" because I was curious as well. Geez. "
Cause it happens in every thread like this. Ask once, you dont need to repeate it.
I am not saying its got to the point yet, but i remember the one where someone was asking if the one rent actor was gay. Oh my god ... did enough people write back asking is this appropriate, why do you need to know.
Again they are stars, people are curious.
Stand-by Joined: 12/19/05
YAY I love Judy Kaye even more now! And Ethel Merman even less!
LOL, Wanna Be
hehe
Who cares?
I wouldn't like a performer more because they are the same religion that I am.
I don't understand why a performer's religion matters.
Updated On: 1/1/06 at 11:55 PM
Well, one's religion is often more than just "what they believe." It's usually a major part of their culture/lifestyle, so I understand why people are interested in this topic.
However...FYI, having a "Jewish" last name doesn't necessarily make one Jewish
...and being "Jewish" doesn't necessarily mean one follows that religion either. For example: Idina Menzel. Okay, list her as Jewish, but she quit Hebrew school before she was ever bat mitvah'd and, well...yeah. She seems to be pretty open about not really following any particular religion.
I'm sure there are plenty of other "Jewish" performers around like that.
"I don't understand why a performer's religion matters."
Oh, it doesn't, it was just a question. As Spamalot puts it so succinctly, "You won't succeed on Broadway if you haven't any Jews."
Well, just saying that when someone asks this type of question and they say "it really doesn't matter, I'm just curious", you can bet there's more than that reason for asking. I'd like to know why the curiosity about who's Jewish? I doubt if I'll get more of an answer than "just curious", or "because they're public figures". Lame. There are public figures of all religions and lifestyles. Why are you wondering about Jews? If you have nothing to hide with this curiosity, then let's hear your reason. That's how I feel about this type of thread. Carry on.
First off, the poster could just be curious. Maybe the poster is Jewish and wishes to be a Broadway performer, knowing that there are other similar performers out there can be comforting. Regardless, knowing that there are Jewish stars on Broadway could inspire tons of young kids who maybe feel isolated as "the only Jew in their community." They'll know that if they have enough talent, they too can star on Broadway. I don't see why it's a big deal whether people discuss religous beliefs of performers or not.
People often just get their nose out of wack take the offense when it comes to religion and feel the need to squash a perfectly civil discussion.
I'm sorry if I came off a bit pretentious. I'm a little tired.
Have a good day.
Haha, you gave those reasons with a straight face? Listen, go to bed. I gave my opinion of threads like these. Look into yourselves and try to figure out why it's really so important to know. These threads are usually about Jews or gays. that's all. good night.
Tell me, Were there offended threads here when "The Producers" opened on Broadway too? Go yell at Eric Idle, He says you WONT succeed on Broadway if you aren't Jewish. Such Drama!
Jane2, you need to chill, girlfriend. I think you're just jealous 'cause you're NOT Jewish. It's alright, we still like you. :) YAY Jane2!
Some people on this board are so easily offended...
The thread seems innocent enough to me... If you are Jewish it's cool to see Broadway actors who share something with you. How many Broadway Actors are named Adam? I'd be curious about that too.
Stand-by Joined: 7/3/05
Well, personally, here are some reasons I am curious.
*My grandpa was Jewish, and I've always been at least entertaining the idea of looking into Judaism, since I was raised without any relegion.
*I grew up in cities in Ohio that had basically no Jewish people. I went to NYC last spring and for the first time ever realized what people meant when they said my sister "looked Jewish." I had never really thought about the fact that people assume there is a "look" to being Jewish. Or that there were names that sounded Jewish.
Basically, I'm interested because I'm a quarter Jewish, and it wasn't until recently that I've had much exposure to Jews outside of my family. ::shrug:: It doesn't affect whether or not I like actors, it's just interesting to me.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
What makes this a perfectly legitimate thread is the fact that everyone got so up in arms about the fact that there were so few Jews in the FIDDLER revival.
Meanwhile, when it comes to musical comedy compsers & lyricsts, we have:
Kern, Rodgers, Hart, Hammerstein, Berlin, the Gershwins, Loesser, Bernstein, Comden & Green, Styne, Lerner & Lowe, Coleman, Kander & Ebb, Sondheim, Strouse & Adams, Adler & Ross, Anthony Newly, Lionel Bart, Maltby & Shire, Mary Rodgers, Adam Geuttel, J.R. Brown, William Finn, Maury Yeston, Lynn Ahrens, Jonathan Larson...
In other words, pretty much everone except Cole Porter and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
come on guys, we all know that everyone on broadway is jewish, just like all the producers in the movies and TV.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker are both half.
Brad Garrett
Rob Bartlett
Steve Rosen
Hank Azaria
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Wait, this thread is offensive? As opposed to the countless "how old is so and so, and is so and so gay"? I mean really people.
Updated On: 1/2/06 at 09:29 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Ok, yes I am Jewish, no I didn't mean to offend anyone. I think if you're actually offended by this post, then maybe you should just go and well I don't know. Maybe you are secretly wanting to be Jewish. Who knows.
So Adam Pascal is Jewish?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/05
well he grew up in syosset which is basically jewville
...same with idina
wow..I am surprised Al Jolson hasn't been mentioned yet..probably one of the most famous of all. He was born Asa Yoelson in Lithuania.
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