"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.
YAY I love Judy Kaye even more now! And Ethel Merman even less!
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
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.
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.
Read LETTERS TO A YOUNG ARTIST by Anna Deavere Smith!
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!
"It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance." -
Elizabeth Taylor
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!
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering." --Harold Hill from The Music Man