Meeting Jason Robert Brown
Meeting Jason Robert Brown
Joined: 12/31/69
Meeting Jason Robert Brown#0
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:00amJason was a panel member of our workshop this evening, and while I can't say that his work is that which I go out of my way for, he was EXTREMELY engaging, and more than capable of discussing the 'nuts and bolts' of musicals (including their history, I might add.) I would have a really good time hanging out with him at a dinner party. Intelligent, insightful, witty, bold - and fully aware of the dynamics of communication.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/27/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#1
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:05amspeaking as someone who has hung out with him at a dinner party-be careful what you wish for. Make sure you have a working knowledge of Parade, Last Five Years and Songs for a New World-and be sure you love them a lot.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#2
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:09am
Cam - it's fairly obvious that his ego precedes him at about 20 paces. I'm not overly put off by that, as it's generally what it takes to get anywhere in this business. Care to discuss Ms. Sondheim's big head? I'd actually have no problem asking him what exactly he had against the concept of melody 
Featured Actor Joined: 1/27/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#3
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:18am
Sondheim wrote the lyrics to West Side Story...and that was the BEGINNING...
JRB wrote one flop Broadway musical (artistically successful yes, but a flop nonetheless), a flop Off Broadway Musical (yes L5Y is loved by dozens of AMDA students, but again, a flop) and a revue of his music which has been heard far more often in cabarets than in the run of the show...again all three VERY successful artistically, don't get me wrong...but to even BEGIN to compare JRB's career with Sondheim's is a touch ridiculous, you must admit.
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#4
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:25amI would have gladly taken your space at this workshop if demonstrating a "working knowledge" (and love) for his music was challenging.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/27/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#5
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:28am
I think you've confused myself and the original poster...
While I think Jason's work is very good, I see a lot of room for improvement...I find that in speaking with him, he tends to disagree (which is his prerogative of course). I would much rather be at a class taught by Sondheim, Schwartz, Kander, or really anyone who has found more success than JRB. I think he has yet to find a combination that will work artistically as well as commercially.
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#6
Posted: 2/10/05 at 2:56am
" I think he has yet to find a combination that will work artistically as well as commercially."
Which is fine unless he's ready to sell out.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/27/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#7
Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:01amit IS possible to "sell out" without selling out. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum-you need an audience if you're going to maintain your work. Not to say his work doesn't have an audience, but if he wrote a "Hairspray," I don't think he'd be all that worried about having "sold out."
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#8
Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:07am
For a flop, it sure is strange how often I hear people singing songs from "The Last Five Years" in passing...
Wasn't he lined up to write a Betty Boop musical a while back?
Broadway Star Joined: 11/28/04
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#9
Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:15am
I met him after he did a concert in London in the later months of last year....
All the way through te concert i found his little speeches engaging although extremely bitter(mainly about his songs in Urban Cowboy)...but quite amusing...
after the concert i tunred around and found him right there, i went up to him and waited for him to finish a consversation with a pen and my program about to ask for a autograph....(i dont think he liked that)....
he took my program to sign and i started saying how i listen to his music day and night and i think its brilliant and was really interested in urban Cowby because of his name against it, but could not possibly get to the States....he looked at me and just smiled and went "you have alot to learn...." and then turned around to continue his convo. The way he said it was quite rude really but that didnt really bother me, i dont think i could actually have a lengthy conversation with him due to his bitterness, but from a distance a funny guy.
Featured Actor Joined: 1/27/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#10
Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:17ama lot of people singing songs from a musical does not make it an un-flop, and I'm afraid your stage door experience is not all that different from those who even know him well.
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#11
Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:26am
I'd like to hear more examples of JRB's alleged bitterness/rudeness in public and private. Maybe he only connects with certain types of people?
I recently met another famous artist (a novelist) who is "known" for rudeness, but he and I hit it off.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#12
Posted: 2/10/05 at 7:36am
Cam - I in no way was comparing Sondheim's and Brown's career. I was simply invoking Sondheim's name as an example of a large ego - which, by the way, I'm well aware that there are some here who will deny vehemently that he has.
And the workshop wasn't run by Mr. Brown. He was simply a panel member - the event is orchestrated and conducted by Stephen Schwartz.
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#13
Posted: 2/10/05 at 8:49amjust my two cents worth - but Sondheim is more than willing to talk about any and everthing he writes in a very cordial and kind manner - and he very kindly responds to every note written to him. Jason Robert Brown, on the other hand, though talented I will admit, is such a full of himself, arrogant S.O.B that he is no longer on my list of favorite composers. I can't stand Diva Behaviour.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#14
Posted: 2/10/05 at 8:56am
Redhot - I absolutely agree that Mr. Sondheim in no way acts like a Diva - he's actually very charming. That doesn't necessarily preclude a sense of self-awareness, though. Mr. Brown, on the other hand, blows his self importance like a fog horn
Broadway Star Joined: 4/5/04
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#15
Posted: 2/10/05 at 9:43am
I have had diva encounters with both Sondheim and Jason. They were certainly not on the same level, but not all is hugs and kisses in sondheim land.
Jason has a whole lot of bitterness born out of the failure of Parade and the harshness and avalance of bad things that came out of it. He is who he is and he doesn't care who knows it. Parade was such a dedicated piece of work and almost everyone involved felt was an amazing accomplishment. Don't get me wrong, J's still most of the time an ahole.
I am just glad he's still writing. Ever heard him sing "I'm Getting Out"? It's a song he wrote basically saying f**k you Broadway, and you too Brantley. We're lucky to (still) have him with us, working on two new musicals! So exciting...
(Some of the music from 13 is pretty great...but what do you expect from JRB?)
Jason was more than willing to give my friends niece (9 years old) an autograph on her program, whereas on a seperate occation Sondheim said "I don't do that sort of thing", and walked away.
Understudy Joined: 11/16/04
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#16
Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:37am
This reminds me of the many discussions we've had about when a performer's job ends, and we usually decide that it ends when the curtain falls. If they sign autographs or take pictures, that's very nice of them, but they shouldn't have to do that.
I think this is exactly the same. As a composer and lyricist, Brown owes his audience good music, and he really delivers in that regard. If you have a problem with his attitude, that's fine, but that's no reason to no longer appreciate his work. He doesn't owe anyone a good attitude.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/5/04
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#18
Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:51am
I'm sorry...but why do we let people get away with bad behavior (I've never met JRB, so this is more about the general performing public)?
This debate kills me. Of course no one 'owes' you an autograph. But the smart actor knows how to cultivate a fan base. I do understand that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances (stalkers...even the idea that people shouldn't make money off of you because you signed your name to something). But people...ALL PEOPLE...owe it to each other to act with kindness and respect. Do we always reach that goal? No. But to give folks a buy because they're talented or what have you is bullsh*t.
Sure...so and so may be a successful actor or composer or writer or director or designer. But an a$$hole still stinks, no matter how much money ya got. To be honest, I'd rather be a failure as a performer than a failure as a human being.
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#19
Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:52amI had a great experience with Jason. I got to tell him that I loved his brain. To which he politely replied....'Thankyou'! Updated On: 2/10/05 at 11:52 AM
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#20
Posted: 2/10/05 at 12:02pm
"I'd rather be a failure as a performer than a failure as a human being." - Robbiej
Amen.
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#21
Posted: 2/10/05 at 12:33pmA lot of people say the job ends when the curtain goes down. This isn't an entire truth. Being an actor is one job, being a celebrity is another job. As an actor or composer you owe it to the people who make you who you are. Now there are limits to everything, but some kindness will never hurt anyone. As for Sondheim, I met him and he was very kind and talked,BUT the man is deathly afraid of large crowds coming up to him. So he'll be kind until he starts seeing people come at him, then he just wants to get away. JRB is rather arrogant and mean. He came to teach at my college sometime ago. While he was coaching a student he offered some advice. This advice conflicted with some teaching the student had recieved. The student asked him what he thought about it and his reply was something like "Which one of us has a Tony award?". He left it at that. That's unneccasary. If your teaching people, you do need a good attitude. It's things like that that turn a students mind of to a teacher and then learning doesn't occur. I've heard more than one experience like this involving JRB. I like the man's work, but no one has the right to treat people like crap, whether your the pope or a trash collector in a small town. It's mutual respect and it's one of the laws of humanity.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/5/04
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#22
Posted: 2/10/05 at 12:37pm
i don't think jason is trying to rally a fanbase...
most of my personal experiences have been great w/ him
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#23
Posted: 2/10/05 at 12:43pm
talking about complaining people. I was behind andrew lippa going into Pippin benefit concert. Now he has 1 show that everyone knows (which was a flop) and people either love it or hate it. But he standing there with his actor friends, some who failed to make it and now have other jobs, complaining about the theatre today and lack of artistry. That is fine but I hardly find it up to Andrew Lippa to complain. He hasnt added very much to the musical theatre community.
He was talking about his latest project a movie musical for Kristen, again I find that hardly adds to artistry to the musical theatre community.
Originally I had the urge to go up and talk with him, but the more I listen to him talk. The more I realise he is a bitter old queen! He needs to get over himself and write a successful show!
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#24
Posted: 2/10/05 at 1:03pmOk, I'm a huge fan of Jason's work and I think he's a brilliant composer and lyricist. I've met him a few times. He's always been very nice although his ego is more than apparent. And he knows it. He knows he's got a big ego and he doesn't really care. He likes who he is....A LOT. My conclusion from my experiences with him = He has quite an ego and he IS a diva but he's not a bad guy. Just my 2 cents.
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