Laura Benanti: To Good For NINE?- Page 2

[PigletH13]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 8:15am

McRuff,

I agree with you that its wrong to talk about this woman without her being able to defend herself...but I will tell you that for such a young actress to have such an attitude or way with fans is completely wrong. Even some of the most highly respected actors have been indredible at stage door. An example is Ann Miller. I will never forget what she said to a young woman who told her how much it meant to her that she was able to see her live on stage. She looked at her and took her hand and said "It is my absolute pleasure. And I am so glad I got to meet you!" The woman was floored. What she didn't have time to tell Ms. Miller was that her father and her watched all of her movies as a little girl, and her father had been recently killed in a car accident. Seeing Ms. Miller live was like being with her father again. (She told us this story after Ms. Miller left.)

I guess what I am trying to say is that if one of these actors touches someone emotionally because of their performance...it would be nice to be able to see that person act the same way offstage.

Just my opinion!

[McRuff]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 10:23am

To everybody here who feels so worthy of "Compliments to All Members" for your behavior in this kind and happy place:

You're so nice.
You're not bad,
You're not good,
You're just nice.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 10:29am

While Bernadette was being interviewed on TV on CBS Sunday morning, at the same time over at National Public Radio, Maury Yeston was calling Laura "the greatest actress of her generation."

He also talked about how he turned Chita's number into a tango (instead of a waltz as in the original "Nine"), his ten years spent writing the show, plus his new upcoming musicals - adapting for the stage Frank Loesser's film "Hans Christian Andersen" and the old much-revived "Death Takes a Holiday" (most recently remade as "Meet Joe Black").

Posted: 6/8/03 at 12:38pm

Kerry is the sweetest person. My fan club (The First Kerry OMalley Fan Club) and I wrote her a letter asking her permission to let us make her FIRST unofficial site "Official" but she was so modest and said "It's something I don't feel I have earned yet". She is soooooo humble. Stephen's great too. Him and Kerry are like best friends. He dresses so simple too. Vanessa was funny at the stage door when I went. Some smelly construction worker came up to her and asked for a hug, and she said "I don't do hugs" and ignored him. Gotta love the diva.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 2:44pm

Piglet --

What you just posted about Ann Miller goes back to my theory of immaturity. Though I've heard from MANY that Ann is such a warm and down to earth person, I think a lot of that grace shown by legends, though maybe sincere, it's an example of life experience.

I'm not condoning Laura's behavior at stage doors or with fans, but I honestly believe she just got pushed in the spotlight so suddenly (her first broadway gig made her a star... she's only 23... how many people does THAT happen for?)... that it's so overwhelming and she just hasn't learned how to deal with it correctly... yet. I say give her time. She'll learn that your acting has to continue off stage... at least until you're far away from the theatre. I mean, even the most gracious of actors don't ALWAYS want to see their fans and just want to go home and sleep... but they know how to graciously do so. Being rude isn't going to get her far. No matter how talented a person may be, all that talent is tainted if the person themself isn't appealing. I think she'll realize this somewhere down the line.

Personally, being from the same generation as Laura... I can honestly say that if I was in her situation, I'd make stupid mistakes, too. Maybe not with the fans (I'm generally hyper, bubbly and out-going... lol... they'd prolly think I was insane in nothing else...), but I'm sure I'd say some pretty immature things in interviews and I wouldn't want to be judged solely on one stupid thing said.

That said, I think Laura takes her work FAR too seriously and wants to be taken seriously. I don't think she realizes that it doesn't end after curtain call though. No one's going to take her seriously just because she gave a stellar performance. They're going to take her seriously if they know she loves being up there and she's grateful to have the opportunity that most dream of and never get.

*sigh* But what do I know? I highly doubt she's a bad person... just has a lot to learn about the business. Don't we all? Unfortunately, she has to learn about it in the lime light.

Posted: 6/8/03 at 3:13pm

There is certainly nothing wrong with Laura taking her job seriously. Because of this work ethic, she is one of the most believeable characters in NINE. Her acting is very believeable and her accent SOUNDS REAL unlike some others I need not mention. Notice in SIMPLE, Jane tries to have an accent when pronouncing "simple" but just forgets about it and sings her heart out. There's nothing wrong with that, but certainly an accent would help transport you into the Italian world the musical takes place in.

What I applaud Laura in NINE for is that she sticks to her (believeable) accent when she sings right down to the last syllable and that shows alot of dedication and hard work.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 3:31pm

Okay, we won't start in on Jane's accent or the fact she can't hit notes in "Simple," because she sure acts the hell out of that role. AND I love Jane because she's a total sweetie and am slightly partial because everyone tells me I look like her. LOL.

All I meant is, if she wants to be taken seriously, she has to watch herself on AND off the stage.

[McRuff]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 3:39pm

"No one's going to take her seriously just because she gave a stellar performance."

Daisy, that has to be one of the most awful things I've read in a long time. If stellar performances aren't enough to get an actor taken seriously, then priorities are very seriously out of wack. (And I do believe they are, as illustrated by this thread.)

Posted: 6/8/03 at 4:21pm

Jane can't hit the high note? In the recording, she hits it splendidly, but I haven't seen it LIVE so maybe she's different. I know Jane's been taking vocal lessons and has risen 2 octaves higher than before.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 4:59pm

*sigh* There was one of those stupid things said. I didn't mean it that way. OBVIOUSLY she's a fabulous performer and well respected in that area. But its a turn off watching someone's performance when they're not very likable off-stage. I'm not saying Laura is... I've yet to encounter this with her and hope I never do. Honestly... if you're watching someone perform and they've been a complete and utter bitch to you, it ruins the mood of the story and it's hard to buy it (unless they're playing said bitch). It's human nature... if you don't respect someone off-stage, it just makes it harder to respect them onstage no matter how talented.

Like I said, I have nothing against Laura, but it seems like an on-going trend.


I'll say this... Bebe Neuwirth pretty much has the same reputation going as Laura at the stage door. (She doesn't have the egotistical reputation... in fact I think she's probably one of the most grounded performers I've ever encountered...) Now, she is one of my favorite actresses and has been since I was a little girl. I've never had a bad encounter with her, but if ever I do... it'll just ruin everything. I'll never be able to watch her, regardless of how talented I think she is, and view her OR her performance the same way. It's just how people work. I think as a performer, though we're all human, we have to be aware of that and aware of the reputation we set for ourselves. That's all I'm saying. Laura may not be a bitch, but I just feel she should be a little more self aware of the reputation she's made for herself. It's not just a hand full of people -- the majority of those I know who have met her all have the same reaction. I even have a friend who knows her and he says she's the sweetest girl, but she can get bitchy. Hell, we all can. It's just a matter of channeling it in the right direction. Channeling that attitude towards fans isn't the wisest thing to do.


As for Jane, no... she can't really hit the notes. It's okay though, because she's a fabulous actress. :) I haven't heard the CD yet, but they can always cover things up... the wonder of modern technology. :)

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 5:14pm

Well, looks like we have out first offical board jerk. Congrads McGruff. First you go and say no one should bash Laura and then you in your infinate double talk style decide to go and bash others for their opinion. Get a life. Or at least a clue.

EVRYONE has the right to state their opinion. If it happens to be about laura then that's their opinion. If YOU don't like what's being discussed then you don't need to read the thread. But then you wouldn't be able to spout off like you have, would you?

Posted: 6/8/03 at 6:02pm

Jane hits the high note with her head voice in the CD. Does she attempt that on stage?

[ShineOn]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 6:51pm

Thanks for defending me Mr. Tuttle, but lets not start a fight on this board. I don't want it turning into Broadway.com.

As for Jane's high note... maybe she's just too broken during the song. Like I said, haven't heard the CD. And it's not really a high note... it's just a little out of her range, even though she *has* been working her range. I just don't think her upper range is strong enough for the song, but that's my opinion. Like I said... she's my fave in the show so it obviously doesn't bother me much! :)


*crosses her fingers for Jane tonight*

[McRuff]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 7:01pm

All righty then, let me see if I understand the rules here, apparently I did not. This is a "nice" and "friendly" board, right? But people can feel free to be not nice and not friendly when talking about people who aren't here to defend themselves. Okay, I don't get it, but apparently that's a community norm. Then, even though I was not running down Daisy Hilton personally, I am a "jerk" for commenting on her statment, which according to Mr. Tuttle was a very bad thing to do, so he did the very thing he was accusing me of doing in her defense. But it's okay in this instance because he was doing it to me. Okay. Am I the only one to whom that seems a bit odd?

Is that how things work here? If so, I would very much appreciate a FAQ or a list that perhaps the host of this board could create that would clearly list which theater personalities can be trashed openly and liberally and that nobody has a problem seeing trashed openly and liberally so that it does not damage the "nice" and "friendly" atmosphere here.

Thanks! That would be very very helpful! :) :)

[DoReMi]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 7:32pm

Gee McGruff. Why not play your school yard games somewhere else? This is a message board to discuss ANYTHING RELATED TO BROADWAY OR THEATER. Plain and simple. If you want rules...go make your own little board. No one has to cater to you. Some of us enjoy it here.

That said, I've seen Laura in SOM and Swing. She was great on stage, but you are so right about her stage door antics. The night we saw Swing she was lightly pushing people away so she could leave. When a young girl asked her to sign, she said "If I sign yours, I have to sing them all". Not a nice attitide.

I don't think a performer is obligated to stay around and sign things. However, I do think they do have an obligation to be a nice, decent human being and treat everyone with respect. If you're having a bad day, then fine. But you don't need to be rude about it.

[McRuff]

Posted: 6/8/03 at 7:45pm

Just trying to get some clarity on what "friendly" and "nice," means, so thanks so much DoReMi, you helped a lot. :)

[SuttonBebeFaith]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 2:30am

If you have something of value to say, Mr. McGruff, then please feel free to add it.

So far, you haven't. This isn't like your other little board where folks feel they can say what every they want to insult people.

Perhaps you need to find a place more accepting of your "values".

And please don't bother junking up this thread with more of your "friendly" and "nice" comments.

[McRuff]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 8:32am

Thanks SBF! All you guys rock! :)

[DoReMi]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 6:41pm

Yes we know.

Of course, the friendly, nice ones do.

Sorry.

[McRuff]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 9:34pm

Didn't mean to forget to mention you by name, DoReYou!!!!! (Now I know how Marissa must have felt when she got offstage last night!!!!) Of course, you rock the HARDEST!!!!! Please don't hesitate to keep me up-to-date on the rules, since they seem to change!! U ROCK!!!! :)

Posted: 6/9/03 at 9:42pm

Piglet, re Mickey Rooney: I know someone who stage managed a play with him within the last 10 or so years. Eeeeeek. I'll post more if you want more info.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 10:44pm

Who wants to do this board a favor and end it? Please don't make this fight any bigger than it is. Thanks! Okay, about Laura- I've never met her, and I agree with a lot of the things Daisy said. She is young, and was shoved into the spotlight. Give her time, and she'll learn how to act with fans and such. It's a shame cant be as classy an act as Sutton or Marissa (also newcomers), but not everyone is as nice as them. Think about this: Would you rather have a great actress that is a real bitch cover up her real personality and act nice to you and than go home and complain about all of her fans, or be a bitch, and not hide your true self, but at the same time having people respect you honesty? I don't mind that Laura can be mean. Some people are nice, some aren't. That's life; get over it.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 11:40pm

Laura's still a lot younger than Marissa and Sutton (both 28, right?), and whereas they're newcomers as well... they've had a few more years on her as well as experience.

I still remain undecided about Laura until the day I actually meet her in a circumstance where I speak to her. LOL.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 11:42pm

Marissa is 30.

[magruder]

Posted: 6/10/03 at 3:59am

Variety reports today that Laura Benanti will be going in to Richard Greenberg's The Violet Hour this fall at the Biltmore. Scott Foley, of Felicity fame, has also joined the cast.