MTV and Broadway? What?

[AlmondEyes252]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:41pm

This angers me.

Last night there was a clip on MTV it was all about how being a "theater geek" is the up coming trend.

They say Broadway will be selling out because more and more because celebrities want to get in on the productions.

Broadway will be giving celebrities lead merely because they're "royalty" in Hollywood and they Trump the real talent out of staring roles.

Did anyone else see that?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:42pm

That does make me a bit mad. Theater is now a trend? Well, whatever gets people to the theater.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:47pm

Although MTV may have said that, I do not belive it...or atleast do not want to. People have been building themselves up in this business and it would be a shame to this happen....the only show who has really pushed it with celebs is Chicago. Hairspray has done a little, but they are not the stars of the show. I think it works better for Hairspray to. The Producers has done it in Vegas, but they do need somewhat of a "name" to survive.

[AlmondEyes252]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:54pm

For the film part of it I just find it a bit annoying when you hear all these names straight out of People Magazine and Teen Bop to play in Hairspray, Sweeney Todd, and hear all the names being thrown around for Wicked.

Whats wrong with the actors/actresses who played those characters on stage?
Are they not good enough to be put on film?

I mean I know that some people out there don't know about Idina Menzel or Patti LuPuone even, but I just think its an insult.

I guess I just feel they'd be able to sell tickets at the box office too.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:26pm

There's not many "big names" who could pull of Glinda or Elphaba in Wicked. Except Ana Gasteyer(sp?) she has a lot of vocal training and did the role in Chicago.

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:27pm

i already posted a thread on this
!

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:30pm

Is there a clip of this anywhere on the internet?

[bigbigbill]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:38pm

That is ridiculous.

[glimpseofstocking]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:46pm

MTV in general is ridiculous.
I'm also pretty sure that MTV's definition of a "theatre geek" is quite different than mine. If theatre is really becoming a new fad, I'll be interested to see if any of the people who jump on the bandwagon will familiarize themselves with musicals other than Rent, Wicked, Spring Awakening & Mary Poppins. Not that they are bad shows, but they are what is popular and I doubt that people will take this new interest any further than what is "in" on Broadway.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:00pm

But Broadway is ONLY about money! Broadway is the #1 tourist attraction in New York. The reason that everyone's hoping for the sucess of Spring Awakening is that it's artistic - something that you wouldn't find on Broadway.

If you want real ART, you have to go downtown. To see the experimental works. To see the plays being put on in a Church rec room.

Someone like Patti LuPone or Idina Menzel would sell tickets on Broadway, but not in Hollywood. Look at the dismal failure of the Rent movie, which used most of the Broadway cast. It's not a matter of being good or bad enough, it's a matter of selling tickets.

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:15pm

I think it's great that MTV is covering this at all.

I said it in the other thread, it means that musicals are popular again

Fads are by their nature popular, so this is A GOOD THING

unless of course, at the core of your anger is the need to keep theater an elitist interest and keep the fanbase out of the mainstream because you won't be different and interesting anymore.

Not you personally, but it's a question that everyone upset with MTV about this should sit down and ask themselves.

[now_later_soon]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:26pm

I also get really frustrated at seeing stars take roles on broadway that could have been better filled by a theater veteran, BUT I think if theater becomes "trendy" it will probably be a good thing. Sure the first shows to get attention will be shows like Wicked, Rent and Hairspray, but I've always seen those as a starting point. I think if you at least get people to be interested in the fluff of theater then they will eventually be able to appreciate the more artistic shows. Let's face it- if the first show everyone saw was Sweeney- then about 10% of people would still be interested in theater afterwards- it can be overwhelming at first.

[bigbigbill]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:29pm

MTV can go to hell.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:32pm

I've never seen so many snobs in my life.
(I am not one of them!)

[HoshiForever]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:45pm

....oy.....

[SpamalotDiva]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 3:20pm

Thaetre a trend... I think not... They are saying that only because of HSM, and Hairspray, and UGH! that gets me soo madd!

Sammi!

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 3:26pm

Diva, they are not saying that theater is a trend.

They are saying the theater being popular is a trend, and that's true.

Seriously, get over it. They are saying good things.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 3:27pm

See, this is my problem, I want others to like musical theatre, but when movies come out (RENT, HSM, and Hairspray, for example), teens that don't even know how a musical's set up, nor a theatre, think they can be obsessed. Teens will now be obsessed with "HAIRSPRAY" because god-forsaken Zac Efron is in it! And then they think "HSM" is a musical, yes, the stage version is that MTI has released rights to, but the movie alone is not.

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 3:37pm

I don't understand, what's the problem?

Is the artform or the protocol that you want to preserve and spread?

Who cares if musical fans have never been inside a theater, in 100 years, maybe theaters won't even resemble the ones we have today. Who cares?

This is what I mean about elitism

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 3:48pm

What bugs me is that theater is a trend for these people. For most of us on this board it is a passion. And when these people who are trendy try to say that they also know a lot about theater, it makes me mad. For them it is a ten minute fad and for the rest of us it is a liftime passion. The only thing that is good that I have to say to them is that they are the people who are keeping Broadway alive.

[AlmondEyes252]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 4:12pm

I read on YouTube once in Kristen Chenoweth's Glitter and Be Gay comments (recently removed):
"Ashley Tisdalle sings so much better then Kristen Chenoweth."

Well, Everyone is entitled to they're own opinion.

Fenchurch/Fiction Writer: I am NOT saying the public doesn't belong in Broadway nor am I saying it must stay elite. I think TWS said it much better then I had.

I just don't agree with people choosing a celebrity over someone who has undeniable raw talent just because they'll sell more tickets.

I completely understand thats just the way it is, I'm only angry that it actually happens like that.
Updated On: 12/31/06 at 04:12 PM

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 4:15pm

Whatever, they shouldn't threaten you, you should welcome them and offer them your expertise.

If you get upset, it just shows how much of a snob you are.

Btw, your quote is misquoted,

the word "trapped" is not in that line in the film.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 4:21pm

AlmondEyes252: No, the best comment on that video was something along the lines of "Is this a parody of Wicked?"

And, all I have to say is: ugh. I'm a theatre snob/elitist, I admit it.

[i_heart_roger_bart]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 4:24pm

Why is she a snob? For wanting to preserve her passion and not see it overcome by people who know nothing about real theatre?

I understand where you're coming from completely, AlmondEyes252. I haven't seen every show ever on Broadway and I may not know every single huge actor on Broadway, but I do love it and I have since I was a child. It is a passion for me. And I'd just hate to see people "get into" theatre because it's the trendy thing to do. I'd like to see people get into theatre because they love it, like we all do. It just says so much about our society. Just willing to jump on the bandwagon for anything. It's pretty pathetic.

But, since we are all powerless to stop it, it is best to look at it as more ticket sales for our favorite (and in some cases, least favorite) shows. It keeps Broadway alive and that's important. Cause once the next trend pops up, we'll still have our Broadway. =)

[AlmondEyes252]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 4:30pm

*sigh* thank you SporkGoddess and I heart Roger Bart. I have closure now.
:)