Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

#1

Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 3:52pm

Why is she in this horrible show?

Her role is so TINY and she is such a gifted actress, she seems wasted.

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"The theatre is so endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental. It's so much like life." - Arthur Miller

#2

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 3:59pm

Well I don't think when signing the contract she knew how much a train wreck it would be.

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I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

#3

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:01pm

Well... she was going to hold out for a leading role in another role, but then she realized she needed to eat.

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#4

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:02pm

Because it's a job?!

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#5

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:03pm

I wonder how well she's paid for such a small role.

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#6

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:03pm

Even with little stage time...she shouldn't be complaining since she's been getting better reviews than the show itself.

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I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

#7

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:04pm

What lakezurich said. And maybe she loves Guys and Dolls and wanted to be involved.

I've tried out for small parts in a lot of shows just because I love that particular show and there are no large parts that are right for me.

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In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy

#8

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:05pm

If someone asked you to be in a revival of Guys and Dolls on Broadway would you say no?

Also, if someone offered to pay you for, roughly, 5-10 minutes a night 8 times a week would you say no?

Edited to quote TimesSquare:

"I wonder how well she's paid for such a small role"

I think she can demand a decent amount simply for being Mary Testa

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"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 04:05 PM

#9

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:06pm

I wonder if she arrives at the theatre during the show.

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I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

#10

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:06pm

Schmerg, you also live of your parents so you can do shows that you love w/out worrying about income.

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<<-- Help save Terminator: SCC
"The gay one?" -- Marissa Jaret Winokur on the Jonas Brothers.

#11

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:11pm

Yes, though I have to pay to be in shows, so it's kind of the opposite...

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In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy

#12

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:16pm

"I wonder how well she's paid for such a small role"

Broadway Actors, last I remember, make a minimum of $1500 a week. And that's just ensemble and unknowns.
The stars/leads make upwards of $30,000.
Mary's role may be small, but she's not completely unknown (though I doubt she's making $30,000). I would venture to guess that she's still making a nice salary compared to what most of us reading this board are making.

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"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~

#13

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:22pm

i guess thats what im getting at, i know that acting is both an art and a business - but it seems like some actors may become less known for their artistic choices and more so for the easy buck.

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"The theatre is so endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental. It's so much like life." - Arthur Miller

#14

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:25pm

It is a shame, but in our current economic state, I am certainly not going to judge someone for taking a role that will pay the bills.

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"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~

#15

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:30pm

Meanwhile, Mary Testa got the best reviews out of anyone in the cast.

She doesn't have anything to worry about.

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#16

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:31pm

It's not like she's a star of any magnitude. Yes, she has her legions of fans on here, but she's a working actress, that's all.

#17

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 5:39pm

Because it's only three months to the Tony Awards, and voters have short memories. If she can't snag a nomination, she might at least snag an appearance on the Tony broadcast.

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#18

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 5:41pm

Glad she's getting good buzz in "Guys & Dolls." Saw her a few times in "42nd Street" and was very, very surprised - didn't care for her at all.

#19

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:23pm

Do you really think she could be nominated? I mean, she was the best part of the show, and everything she did made me laugh and I'd see a spin-off show of her character any day, but I don't think her part is nomination worthy? But maybe it is?

#20

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:38pm

Mary Testa getting a Tony nomination? Not happening.

Sure she's the best part of the show, but that's like saying the short one is the best Hanson. It's not that much of an accomplishment!

If Tony voters didn't go for her over-the-top mugging in Xanadu, what makes you think they would for a much shorter role?

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Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

#21

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:41pm

General Cartwright getting her own show - you mean like how "Maude" spun off from "All in the Family"?

What would it be called? Would Sky & Sarah and Nathan & Adelaide drop by from time to time as guest stars? The wacky neighbors would be Benny Southstreet and Nicely Nicely? And then in season 4 when ratings fall the studio execs would have her get pregnant with Arvid's love child. By season 5 the kid is 10 years old and running his own crap game downtown.

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"The theatre is so endlessly fascinating because it's so accidental. It's so much like life." - Arthur Miller

#22

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:41pm

As much as I would love to see her get another nomination, it shouldn't be for this.

Besides, it seems like the featured actress category is going to be a little cramped this season.

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#23

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:46pm

Stephanie J. Block, Haydn Gwynne, Martha Plimpton, Karen Olivo, Megan Hilty, Kathy Fitzgerald, Kate Jennings Grant - not at all as competitive as previous years. This really is shaping up to be an uninspiring year for Tonys - Best Actress is down to a horse race between Ripley and Janney (sorry Sutton), and Sieber has had Featured Actor locked up for months (although Jbara and Kudisch really deserve to be contenders). The real competition is in Best Actor, and that crazy three-way battle in Featured Actress.

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Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

#24

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:49pm

Do we know for sure that Hilty and Block will be considered as Featured?

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#25

re: Mary Testa - why Guys and Dolls?

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:52pm

Is there a good featured Actress role in NEXT TO NORMAL?