Julia Roberts on Broadway....

[Lamc16]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:39pm

Lifelong dream fulfilled, or just another Hollywood star trying to prove their greatness?

Any thoughts?

[bigrab1018]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:40pm

i think its genuine...

Edit: otherwise she probably would have come in a bigger show

Updated On: 3/29/06 at 05:40 PM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:41pm

I am not her biggest fan, but I do think it is genuine.
Updated On: 3/29/06 at 05:41 PM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:41pm

a mix of both maybe...

or she might possibly be taking a break from movies right now for the heck of it...

either way, im glad shes on broadway

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:46pm

I genuinely like and respect her and I think it's great to have her on Broadway. I don't think it's just her proving how great she is because she's never come across as that sort of actress. Yes, she's done lots of "commercial" stuff, but she seems to really care about acting.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:50pm

At some point, it has to be about more than money. I mean, how many millions can a person go through? I'm sure she's doing this because she wants to experience something different and more exciting. And it's got to impact her strength as a film actress, too, to have to portray a believeable person 8x per week without saying "CUT."

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 5:56pm

"I think its genuine...otherwise she probably would have come in a bigger show"
-Bigrab-

She is on Broadway, it is a big show. I don't know if she can sing, but i were you expecting her to star in "The Lion King" or "Wicked", anyhow, she is doing Broadway, it's not an Off Off Bway show. She is in a big play.

Updated On: 3/29/06 at 05:56 PM

[thez914]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:03pm

Anyone know if she had been wanting to come to Broadway? Or if producers randomly approached her with this role? I have to agree, this does seem like an odd choice for a role for JULIA ROBERTS. Does she have any affiliation or previous experience with Joe Mantello or the other actors? Just curious...

Updated On: 3/29/06 at 06:03 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:05pm

Producer Marc Platt (of WICKED fame) has been good friends with her for years and has been searching for the right stage piece for her for quite a long time and talking her into it at the same time.

It has nothing to do with her knowing Mantello or the other actors as she was the first one cast in this production.

[Cabchic]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:06pm

I read that for the curtain call she came out with her castmates instead of getting a solo bow, which I thought was very nice of her. She seems pretty down to earth and grateful for this opportunity.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:13pm

Julia has been looking for a play to do for a good 5 years. She's been offered a lot of stage work but waited for what she considered to be "the right piece" to come along. I'd say this is a pretty legit appearance.

[Lamc16]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:19pm

It's nice to hear that she came out WITH her castmates. I don't really like it when they make a point of having the "star" come out to bow solo--a la Denzel.

[KindnessofStrangers]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:20pm

I think the bitch just wants a Tony to go with her twins and undeserved Oscar.

Someone on this board must step up as the voice of reason. Even that obnoxious old harridan MargoChanning is starstruck. Are you folks really admirers of Roberts' film work? I almost never believe a word that comes out of her mouth and, by most accounts, she's not a very nice person in real life. Feh!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:21pm

Must everyone think of an ulterior motive? The woman's doing a play, she's bringing publicity to a dying art, and she's fulfilling one of her dreams. Who are we to judge?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:22pm

Although she is probably not as big of a star as Julia, Cynthia Nixon also didn't get a solo bow, she came out at the end with the rest of the cast. Most actors do that in plays i think. Then they take a step to the front for about a second for their applause. Brooke Shields was super down to earth and she had her own bow in Wonderful Town and it was amazing! the best curtain call I have ever seen!

Updated On: 3/29/06 at 06:22 PM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:25pm

I think calling it the "best curtain call ever seen" is stretching it just a tad.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:27pm

did you see it?

[Musical Director]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:28pm

Right on. I am sick of these people who have to bad-mouth people from Hollywood who are trying to explore their horizons. I have always thought that Julia Roberts is very talented, and she has every right to be on Broadway, and I admire her for doing it. I think that the play is an odd choice, but I certainly defend her right to be there. She will certainly bring in more people to see that play than anybody else, which means a new audience for Broadway plays. Plays are a risky bet for financial success on Broadway, and she will certainly make this one succeed merely by being in it. I am sure that she will be good in it, too.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:33pm

wow, kindnessofstrangers, i know its your opinion, but it seems someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed...

anyway, that is very sweet of her to bow with her fellow castmates! not even a lot of BROADWAY stars will do that, let alone a Hollywood star.

:)

[Steve2]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 6:41pm

Thanks, MusicalDirector. I couldn't have said it better myself. I am not starstruck with Julia Roberts but she is a talented actress. I admire her for attempting something different and believe her intentions are genuine.

[babygirl722]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 7:04pm

Just got back from the show and can honestly say that it was one of the worst I've ever seen. Julia Roberts is a good screen actor and she should stick to it. She was absolutely AWFUL in today's performance. We sat towards the back of the center orchestra and we could hardly hear her. Her character in the Act 1 was very bland so I figured that she would be much more dynamic in Act 2, playing a Southern belle who was very dramatic. Boy was I wrong! Her accent faded in and out. She was extremely forgettable and I'm guessing that the critics will rip her apart. No standing ovation, either!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 7:08pm

wow, not too good of news...
same sort of happened with denzel last year, right?

well, not seeing the tony nomination for her as well as i thought i would...thats really too bad

...did you meet her anyways?

[willact4food]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 7:13pm

Keep in mind, they are still in previews. I don't think people should form TOO strong of opinions during previews.

I'm excited Julia Roberts in on Broadway. I've always respected her as an actress. I've always thought she was very talented. It's a shame that I probably won't be able to get up to NYC in time to see her.

Give her time. I'm sure she will get better. It's Julia Roberts for crying out loud!

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 7:15pm

I think she isn't just trying to show off, I think it is genuine

[KindnessofStrangers]

Posted: 3/29/06 at 7:41pm

<>

Nope, Julia Roberts is just one of those talentless actresses who bug, bug, bug. To me she's interchangeable with Demi Moore and Meg Ryan. All of her performances are completely lacking in nuance and subtlety, yet she has somehow fooled the masses with her pluck. I think time will rewrite her appeal and reveal her to be a box office attraction but a less than capable actress. Her photo should be in the dictionary next to the word strident.