Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/08
I'm speechless from reading this thread, really. Some of the opinions said on here are just tacky and catty...but I guess with BWW, that's to be expected, myself being guilty as well on one or two occasions.
I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary for multiple reasons. One, I've been in Annie twice, and the second time I was in it, I was once promised BY the director that I would be Daddy Warbucks, and I wasn't cast as said role (presumably because I wasn't right for it, which I can admit - but I don't think the kid who got it was either, but that's another story...), and it made me really, really, REALLY upset. I got over it, but Annie is just one of those shows that is an illusion from top to bottom. It gives such an illusion of being happy and wonderful and that the show is an encapsulation of show business and musical theatre, where it's really just all plastic. It's barely even art, it's just a cheesy moneymaker.
This documentary gave light to a time where unions didn't protect children during shows, and how it was really damaging later on. It gave light to a time where it seemed all these girls were being watched, they were only watched at face value. While some of the parents mentioned were batsh*t crazy and pushed their children into it to live vicariously through them, I truly believe (and some of the interviewers even say) that they were in it and their parents put them through it genuine intentions, but no one was sure what to do with them after the music died. The blame is never directed at one thing, and if it is, it is with much resistance (as one woman recalls she secretly wished she was an orphan, but she didn't want her mother to know). I don't even think it would have been worth it for Andrea to come forward with an interview, because while yes, she probably DID experience hardships, she was able to walk out (seemingly) okay, but why cover up the truth? It wasn't tomorrow for everyone. Would it have been nice to hear her shed a little light? Yes. But it's not like she was completely removed from it entirely, they didn't pretend like she didn't exist. She was mentioned and shown, wasn't she?
While bitterness might've played a factor in this documentary, it was a reminder to us, to bring us to what I said earlier. Sometimes to get a message across, you have to fight for it, and while its said that Julie lost a friendship or two - I think it was important for our nation to see Jesus Camp, and surely filmmakers Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing didn't have an easy time in the process.
Just my two cents.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
Horse,
Andrea didn't do it for the very reasons you have posted. She thought it was going to be a bitchfest and wanted no part of it.
"Also sounds like Andrea and the director are not as friendly as the director claimed up thread."
Andrea is extremely friendly. I've been friends with her for years.
What I mint by tht is the director posted on here that she new Andrea sence she was 9 years old. Andrea did not come off like she new her that well at all in that interview I posted. Thats all I mint not that Andrea was not friendly.
How weird that I can't see any replies after Bryan's unless I hit "print" or click reply.
I'm having the same problem anyone else?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I heard an unsubstantiated rumor that Andrea wasn't in the movie because she thought it would be a bitchfest. That's what I was told.
Swing Joined: 10/3/05
I'd like to kindly ask that this conversation finally be put to rest. Absolutely nothing that has been written in any of the posts regarding my film or the participants has been true. I can assure you that everyone that I asked to participate was given the same information that the creators of the show, (Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse) as well as Sarah Jessica Parker, were given in order to decide whether or not to be involved with the project. Manager, lawyers and producers were also involved and no one was tricked or manipulated in any way. Those who participated, did so because they wanted to be in the film. I hope we can move on to more positive conversations.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
I agree. I was just asking what anybody had heard.
Kristen Vigard has a website.
Swing Joined: 1/11/11
(Been lurking for a while, but this is my first time posting.)
Thanks every one for posting comments on this thread about this film. I just found it on hulu. I never would have know about this film otherwise.
I was not shocked at all watching it. Perhaps it was because I read every one else’s thoughts here, or maybe it is because I work in theatre and see the crazy stage moms and bratty children on a consistent basis (lucky me). It just reminds me of every sad child actor story in hollywood. It is very unfortunate.
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