Meeting Jason Robert Brown- Page 2
Meeting Jason Robert Brown
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#25
Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:21pmI'm sorry I have to REALLY disagree with umgeoboy. There is an incredible lack of artistry in musical theatre today. I think both JRB and Andrew Lippa are working very hard to raise it. I think Lippa is an artist and I'm not even a huge fan of his stuff. But he's got talent and artistry. I find it to be the antithesis of Artistry to say "write a successful show". Success doesn't mean good or popular. If you take a look on broadway in the past couple of years, the most artistic shows are flops. That's because audiences have sold out. They want the predictable, they don't want things to grow and change and move. That is by no means a reason to be an A$$. To me it just sounds like Lippa is a frustrated artist sick of fighting to do his art when people won't let him. This business eats people alive.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/14/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#27
Posted: 2/11/05 at 1:30amgranted i've never met JRB, but i have exchanged several emails with him and he's been more than courtious. he answered all of my questions, told me he would keep me updated with his works, and showed his appreciation for talking to a fan. he might have an ego, but if he keeps creating music, so what if he has a minor flaw?
Featured Actor Joined: 1/27/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#28
Posted: 2/11/05 at 2:02am
umgeoboy-i think we're talking about VERY different things here. We are not speaking of JRB's lack of talent, we are discussing how he behaves towards those around him. You eavesdropping on one of Lippa's conversation that may have had a negative tone about the industry hardly gives you reason to judge him.
I, for one, happen to agree that there is a hug lack of artistry in this industry-if that weren't true, you'd see more original musicals and fewer revivals and jukebox shows. But again, this is beside the point.
Lippa is actually a very nice man, treats those around him with a great deal of respect. This is where JRB is clearly lacking. I brought this thread up to a friend this evening who, upon first meeting said to him "Jason, I enjoy your work, and I really think you're a gift to the Broadway community." He responded with "I know, I wish Broadway was bright enough to realize it." He may have a Tony Award, but he apparently thinks it gives him the right to treat people like sh*t
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#29
Posted: 2/11/05 at 3:24am
my friend helped moved him out of his apt and stole me one of his hangers. it is a prized posession.
everyone has a little ego, and if i had written the score to parade, i reckon i'd be very proud, too. but all these reports about him being a diva? i think people are exaggerating. i just can't see him being rude to someone unless they were provoking it.
Swing Joined: 2/11/05
re: Meeting Jason Robert Brown#30
Posted: 2/11/05 at 4:15am
I’ve known JRB for years and have never seen him treat anyone like sh*t or exhibit true diva behavior (like demanding people bow to his whims). And the examples here don’t show either of these things. What people don’t seem to like is that he is honest about his bitterness and about his talent. I think most people in this industry believe they’re talented, and many are bitter to some degree ... they just don’t show it. Modesty is more attractive, but it’s hard to fault somebody for being honest.
Look, I know tons of theater people who aren't nearly as successful as JRB, and they're caustic and bitchy and very opinionated, but they're good people and they’re my friends. I bet you all have friends like this, you might even be that way yourselves. JRB doesn’t seem to differentiate between how he behaves around friends and how he behaves around strangers, so people are taken aback when he’s so blunt in person. So some people meet him and find him friendly, others might get him in a bitter mood. He doesn’t perform to strangers (well not in the metaphorical sense). Obviously people don't have to like him or his work or approve of his attitude, but there is a lot more to him that what you might get from talking to him for 5 minutes after a concert or even at a dinner party. I happen to think he's a great guy, and have heard much more good than bad from other people. Just my 2 cents.
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