#1
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:01pm
Kerry Butler interview now up...
#2
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:20pm
lol she's funny!!
Thanks much Rob.
She's awesome, I love her.
Thanks much Rob.
She's awesome, I love her.
Grace: My love for you is like this scar (points to elbow) ulgy but permanent!
Updated On: 10/7/03 at 01:20 PM
#3
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:22pm
Does she know that not EVERYONE hates her. Thanks, Rob.
PEACE.
#4
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:23pm
We'll make sure to pass that along Sueleen. 
#5
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:26pm
You know Rob, Kerry Butler is the definitive Audrey!!
#6
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:39pm
yeah, thank you for the great interview! I love her too!! I hope if she visits the site she sees this thread not another *cough cough*, but then again with a title like that she might not miss it. Anyway...Kerry rocks!!!!
#7
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:40pm
LOVED the interview Rob, and I LOVE Kerry too!
Cheers,
The Balladeer
Cheers,
The Balladeer
"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."
#8
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:51pm
"My favorite actor is Russell Crowe, because of the way he emerses himself into a character."
Ixcuse me? I think the word you seek is "immerses."
z
Ixcuse me? I think the word you seek is "immerses."
z
#9
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:53pm
Well, I'm sure Kerry didn't type the thing....you might want to talk to Rob about that.
Cheers,
The Balladeer
Cheers,
The Balladeer
"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."
#10
Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:56pm
While I'm not overly fond of the clips I've heard of her "Mariah Carey"-like take on "Suddenly Seymour", she seems very humble and down to earth. I like that. I love that she's a Disney freak, much like myself.
#11
Posted: 10/7/03 at 2:04pm
Typo was my fault, all fixed now. Thx.
#12
Posted: 10/7/03 at 2:06pm
Kerry sounds like an absolute doll. Very good natured and grounded.
Great interview, Rob! :)
Great interview, Rob! :)
"You! You are the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber! And you, well, I just plain don't like you."
~Stewart Gilligan Griffin
~Stewart Gilligan Griffin
#13
Posted: 10/7/03 at 2:09pm
awesome interview, thanks. kerry rocks!!!
#14
Posted: 10/7/03 at 2:40pm
Rob, Can Namo and I interview someone!??
I'll go shirtless but with Broadwayworld.com printed on my arm!
I'll go shirtless but with Broadwayworld.com printed on my arm!
#15
Posted: 10/7/03 at 2:47pm
Great interview!
I still haven't had a chance to see the production, but from the section of the interview (copied below) regarding the previews, I'd say that (at least in this case), it was not fair to form a definitive critique of her and Hunter during previews. As an actor, I can say that being given changes like that during previews can be a harrowing experience. She literally had to take huge risks every night in front of Broadway audience (including quite a few unforgiving and scathing commentators on this board). It's no wonder the opinions of her ran so rampant. This amount of tinkering in the preview process could leave any actor unsettled for a bit of time. It could take time even after opening for a role to finally even out and feel like one's own.
I may be wrong, but I suspect that if you see the show in a few weeks, you'll be seeing an Audrey you like.
In addition, these comments aren't to place blame on the direction--in fact, it sounds like Mr. Zaks was really trying to create an original production.
I can't wait to see the production myself.
=)
--------------------------------------------------
KB: working with Jerry is different than any other directors I've worked with, it's sort of like Jerry is an artist painting a picture. Everything I brought had to be thrown out because he needed to start with a clean canvas. His first drawing was just the simplicity, and truth of the character. The first preview Audrey was a woman who knew what she wanted, and hid most of her emotion behind a smile. Then he started adding depth to the picture. There were a few moments where the audience was allowed to see Audrey's pain. Then he started adding color, and some of the things he took away, were added back in. But the color couldn't be too bright because there are other people in the painting, and you can't drown them out.
It was very interesting and scary to explore this way in front of an audience. And he works this way with every character. Hunter had done the show in Florida, and he is now doing a completely different show. That was exciting to watch.
I knew going into the show that it was a no win situation. (In fact my husband didn't want me to take the role for this reason.) No matter what I do, some people will be upset if I play her too much like Ellen Green and others will be upset if I don't make it my own. I decided (as did Jerry) that it would be best to make it my own. (Of course someone out there right now is reading this and saying, "Your own? You're playing it just like Ellen Greene!") You can't please everyone.
I still haven't had a chance to see the production, but from the section of the interview (copied below) regarding the previews, I'd say that (at least in this case), it was not fair to form a definitive critique of her and Hunter during previews. As an actor, I can say that being given changes like that during previews can be a harrowing experience. She literally had to take huge risks every night in front of Broadway audience (including quite a few unforgiving and scathing commentators on this board). It's no wonder the opinions of her ran so rampant. This amount of tinkering in the preview process could leave any actor unsettled for a bit of time. It could take time even after opening for a role to finally even out and feel like one's own.
I may be wrong, but I suspect that if you see the show in a few weeks, you'll be seeing an Audrey you like.
In addition, these comments aren't to place blame on the direction--in fact, it sounds like Mr. Zaks was really trying to create an original production.
I can't wait to see the production myself.
=)
--------------------------------------------------
KB: working with Jerry is different than any other directors I've worked with, it's sort of like Jerry is an artist painting a picture. Everything I brought had to be thrown out because he needed to start with a clean canvas. His first drawing was just the simplicity, and truth of the character. The first preview Audrey was a woman who knew what she wanted, and hid most of her emotion behind a smile. Then he started adding depth to the picture. There were a few moments where the audience was allowed to see Audrey's pain. Then he started adding color, and some of the things he took away, were added back in. But the color couldn't be too bright because there are other people in the painting, and you can't drown them out.
It was very interesting and scary to explore this way in front of an audience. And he works this way with every character. Hunter had done the show in Florida, and he is now doing a completely different show. That was exciting to watch.
I knew going into the show that it was a no win situation. (In fact my husband didn't want me to take the role for this reason.) No matter what I do, some people will be upset if I play her too much like Ellen Green and others will be upset if I don't make it my own. I decided (as did Jerry) that it would be best to make it my own. (Of course someone out there right now is reading this and saying, "Your own? You're playing it just like Ellen Greene!") You can't please everyone.
#16
Posted: 10/7/03 at 3:03pm
JRB, you are FAAAAAAAAAAAR more forgiving than I could ever be. And not of Ms. Butler. I have a lot of respect for her. Did I feel she missed a bit in the role? Yes. But were there moments of hers that I felt were lovely? Yes...and probably the most moving points of the show were hers.
I truly have never heard of a director allowing their actors to walk out in front of a paying audience with that little guidance. And, let's not kid ourselves, barely one word of LSOH was changed. There were no major additions of material, nor any major cuts. The work described could and should have been done EASILY within four weeks of rehearsals. I expect shows to go through some changes during previews. But a willful holding back on the part of a director? It galls me.
I truly have never heard of a director allowing their actors to walk out in front of a paying audience with that little guidance. And, let's not kid ourselves, barely one word of LSOH was changed. There were no major additions of material, nor any major cuts. The work described could and should have been done EASILY within four weeks of rehearsals. I expect shows to go through some changes during previews. But a willful holding back on the part of a director? It galls me.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
#17
Posted: 10/7/03 at 3:17pm
Haha she's really funny. Great interview.
*Don't dream too far, don't lose sight of who you are*
#18
Posted: 10/7/03 at 3:25pm
Robbiej,
I HAVE to agree with you about your comment on directors allowing for and asking for huge character changes so frequently in front of a paying audience. I never liked in college when a couple of directors I have worked with would give notes during the run of a show. I find that after weeks and in some cases, months of rehearsals, any huge changes should have already been addressed prior to performing in front of a paying audience. That not only distracts the individual actors themselves, but also all the other actors who work with them on that stage. It's unfair, and in my opinion, unacceptable. But then again, that's just me. There has to be a point where there is consistancy overall.
I HAVE to agree with you about your comment on directors allowing for and asking for huge character changes so frequently in front of a paying audience. I never liked in college when a couple of directors I have worked with would give notes during the run of a show. I find that after weeks and in some cases, months of rehearsals, any huge changes should have already been addressed prior to performing in front of a paying audience. That not only distracts the individual actors themselves, but also all the other actors who work with them on that stage. It's unfair, and in my opinion, unacceptable. But then again, that's just me. There has to be a point where there is consistancy overall.
"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."
#19
Posted: 10/7/03 at 3:45pm
Rob:
Nice interview. It was refreshing to read Butler's history in the theater and learn more about how it was to work with Zaks.
Jrb:
I agree wholeheartedly. It can be rough for any actor to have notes that change daily on how to portray your character. And I know that the two performances I saw were vastly different from each other. Especially with Kerry and Douglas Sills.
Nice interview. It was refreshing to read Butler's history in the theater and learn more about how it was to work with Zaks.
Jrb:
I agree wholeheartedly. It can be rough for any actor to have notes that change daily on how to portray your character. And I know that the two performances I saw were vastly different from each other. Especially with Kerry and Douglas Sills.
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity -- Harlan Ellison.
#20
Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:19pm
I was referring to what Kerry said about the development that DID occur during previews--which means having to try new takes on lines, even whole scenes in dramatically different ways. I'm sure that it can be exhilarating, but it can be scary as well. It's a lot of experimentation in front of an audience. I'm not saying that it shouldn't be done--previews are for that reason--but this interview has made me develop the opinion that forming a definitive assessment during previews is probably unfair.
It is not true that the show or characterization is complete before previews (and, I'm not referring to script changes). The audience is the final piece of the equation in theatre. Previews are still a part of the rehearsal process. Previews are a time when directors will and should give notes.
Balladeer---college directors should give notes during performances. #1 you are in the midst of a learning process #2 everything I mentioned beforehand about previews--something that you don't really get in college. You get to do so few performances in school or community theatre that you don't really get to flesh out a role. Julie Andrews once said that she learned more about acting from playing one role over a year's time than from several roles. You learn and grow so much in a role.
Should a Broadway performer be ready by opening night? Yes. If she isn't but eventually "gets the role right"--is that a good thing and worthy? yeah--I think so. So, assuming that she is indeed not the "worthy Audrey" now, here's hoping she gets a chance to get there.
It is not true that the show or characterization is complete before previews (and, I'm not referring to script changes). The audience is the final piece of the equation in theatre. Previews are still a part of the rehearsal process. Previews are a time when directors will and should give notes.
Balladeer---college directors should give notes during performances. #1 you are in the midst of a learning process #2 everything I mentioned beforehand about previews--something that you don't really get in college. You get to do so few performances in school or community theatre that you don't really get to flesh out a role. Julie Andrews once said that she learned more about acting from playing one role over a year's time than from several roles. You learn and grow so much in a role.
Should a Broadway performer be ready by opening night? Yes. If she isn't but eventually "gets the role right"--is that a good thing and worthy? yeah--I think so. So, assuming that she is indeed not the "worthy Audrey" now, here's hoping she gets a chance to get there.
#21
Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:30pm
Once again, JRB I agree with your assessment. The "preview" period always will stir controversy as to whether it's appropriate to review someone's performance. This is, afterall a message board dedicated to theater and everyone has their opinion. Then add in the "controversy" of whether or not it's fair to charge full price for a preview vs. a fixed performance - a whole other headache of commentary I assure you.
I have never thought it was inappropriate to charge full price for a preview. And by that right, if someone is paying to see the show they can certainly state their opinions based on what they saw.
What I object to is the ignorance (as in ignoring the fact) of people who do not take the fact the show is in previews into consideration. That the work they have seen is IN progress and there is room for growth.
Too many times on this and other boards, people will write off a show from the first preview, or the third or whatever (sometimes even in a workshop!) without allowing the process to mature.
And yes, these are professional actors and actresses, but the argument that they should have their "game" on at first preview is garbage.
As you state, JRB, "The audience is the final piece of the equation in theatre. Previews are still a part of the rehearsal process." Without that needed element, there is no true way a director can gauge if what they are is working or not.
I have never thought it was inappropriate to charge full price for a preview. And by that right, if someone is paying to see the show they can certainly state their opinions based on what they saw.
What I object to is the ignorance (as in ignoring the fact) of people who do not take the fact the show is in previews into consideration. That the work they have seen is IN progress and there is room for growth.
Too many times on this and other boards, people will write off a show from the first preview, or the third or whatever (sometimes even in a workshop!) without allowing the process to mature.
And yes, these are professional actors and actresses, but the argument that they should have their "game" on at first preview is garbage.
As you state, JRB, "The audience is the final piece of the equation in theatre. Previews are still a part of the rehearsal process." Without that needed element, there is no true way a director can gauge if what they are is working or not.
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity -- Harlan Ellison.
#22
Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:33pm
Jack, and JRB I agree about the Preview arguement. I just don't think drastic interpretations of character should occur too frequently during them. But I do understand and respect your arguements.
"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."
#23
Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:49pm
I have a question for y'all about the preview period. I attended Syracuse University and, in my time there, I saw remarkable productions of shows at the regional house connected with the school (Syracuse Stage) that had about 4 weeks rehearsal and perhaps 3 or 4 preview performances. Some of these shows are still so vivid in my mind, even a decade later. Why do we allow Broadway to get away with more? They have a month or so of previews which (if you truly consider preview performances part of the rehearsal experience) would lead to about 2 months worth of work on a character.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
Updated On: 10/7/03 at 04:49 PM
#24
Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:51pm
But there should be "some idea" of what creative direction the show is going to take by the first preview performance. It's a little silly to begin previews with a complete blank slate, isn't that what REHEARSALS are for?! Time to grow, YES, no growth at all due to clutching at theatrical straws?....NO!
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene
#25
Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:55pm
that is a good point--and Broadway isn't necessarily where the best acting in the world is. But, I would suppose that often times college productions include a rehearsal process where actors are told exactly what to do, whereas a lot of professional directors start from scratch--trying to find something more organic. There is much more experimentation and allowing of the actors to explore. This may not be true for LSOH. It may be that Mr. Zaks wanted to wait until previews to take certain steps.
It may be that they screwed up--and don't deserve any benefit of the doubt.
It may be that they screwed up--and don't deserve any benefit of the doubt.
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