Newbie comment/question about Stunt casting...

[BWBound]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 3:58pm

Hi All
First off I will say that a "stunt" CAST actor is the one that brought me to this site, I wanted to find more info about the show he was casted in, find where the best deal to buy tickets were etc. I feel that he is an amazing talent still waiting to explode on the scene.
My question/comment is, after reading here for a while I have noticed that the regulars on this site (well some of them anyway) have shall I say a "bad taste" in their mouth for actors/actresses who are "stunt" casted. I don't agree with them but that's just me.
Here's the question part...what does or do these actors/actresses have to do to win your respect? It seems if they have one bad night of a performance or don't sign at the door or whatever it may be they are labled or chastized.
So anyone care to respond? I am not looking for an argument and I hope my words aren't offensive. I just happen to think that many of these people who are put in these roles are very talented and deserve them. granted they have "cut the line" so to speak because of thier name but they do a fine job while there.
What do they need to do really break into this circle and get the respect they so deserve?
Thanks
Updated On: 12/4/06 at 03:58 PM

[Jon]

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

First of all, there's no such word as "casted". The past tense of "cast" is "cast".

Has the part been cast? Who was cast? He was cast.

[BWBound]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:29pm

Sorry have to brush up on my English, didn't know this board doubled as a Proper English board too. My Bad!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:32pm

...it does. You should see the amount of posts correcting peoples' grammar and spelling.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:33pm

Anytime you're using written communication as a form of expression using appropriate writing convention is just common courtesy.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:37pm

Amen. To maybe answer your question, I believe that most people don't have a problem with Diana DeGarmo in Hairspray, even though she's a celebrity, because she does a good job. If someone is giving a good performance it doesn't matter if they are famous or not. We get upset when they cast Tony Danza in The Producers.

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:40pm

He's not fat.

[BWBound]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:42pm

Thank you to Gumbo for actually trying to answer my question.

I will be sure to keep an eye for the "Grammar Police" .

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:43pm

It's not really stunt casting when the celebrity is actually capable. The problem arises when people get cast solely because of their name and not because they truly are up to playing the role.

It is unbelievably frustrating for performers, many of whom have trained for almost their entire lives to work in this field, to be passed over for a role they would have played beautifully for a less than capable "name" that exists only for the publicity it brings to the production.

Updated On: 12/4/06 at 04:43 PM

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 4:53pm

Colleen, I don't know if that's necessarily true. Like, Constantine went to BoCo and studied musical theatre and everything, but let's face it, he gets cast because he was on American Idol.

[actor]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 5:16pm

Sometimes we as actors get annoyed at other more famous people because they take away our chances of being cast in a role simply because they are a name. If they do a fine job, that's one thing. If they are cast simply because the show wanted more viewers and/or needed more funds, that's another. Sometimes those people are awful (an example is Haylie Duff).

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 6:45pm

BWBound Who is the person who brought to the site? Just curious. I have no problem with stars doing stage but they HAVE to be good. Like Diana DeGarmo or Brooke Shields for example do well on stage. When a celebrity is capable of doing a excellent job(for example Hugh Jackman) I like to call that star-casting. What bothers me is when someone does a *****y job and is getting lots of press for it.
Updated On: 12/4/06 at 06:45 PM

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 12/4/06 at 7:09pm

My problem with st4nt casting is when they bring in an actor/tress who can't perform the role for their life just to sell tickets.

[BWBound]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:02pm

Thank you all for your honest replies to my comment. I am just interested to see if at some point many of these people will be accepted and be bale to move on.
I'd rather not say whom, because I dpn't want anyone tohtink I am here just to promote or shove them down anyone's throat. I believe there were osome mixed reviews and I very interested to see the thinking behind some of the comments.
thank you all

[ashley0139]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:55pm

Many celebrities they bring to Broadway are completely incapable of performing the roles. People like Ashlee Simpson, Haylie Duff, and Usher are brought in solely to bring money in and are not capable of doing their jobs well. They perform badly, don't care about their job, and take that job away from other hard-working actors who have been training to do that their whole lives. I, and other people I'm sure, are totally fine with shows brining in stars that are capable of doing the roles. Antonio Banderas has earned a great reputation on Broadway for not missing shows, always giving 100%, and performing his role well. I understand that shows have to make money, but I think there can be a balance between a star that is just used to bring in money and an unknown who is a great performer. I believe there is a chapter or at least part of one about this subject in Making it on Broadway.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:00pm

I was wondering...what do other people in the cast tend to think about the "names" that they are working with? I mean, I'm sure it depends on the personality and everything, but I feel like there would always be a little seed of the chorus members thinking "someone out there is way more suited to play this part."

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:04pm

Most actors are respectful of the actors who are cast around them.
What is said when they aren't around is another story.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 1:16pm

How beautifully vague.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 2:41pm

IMO, it's almost always about star/stunt casting with a production that's been around the block for more than a season or two. They've gotta keep the numbers coming in.

You can't count on a local Broadway "star" to carry a show too far. If the show's not a popular money maker in itself, the investors scramble to bring in a name that will. Breaking even and making money is the thing.

And, BWWBound, you should feel welcome to ask any theater realted questions you wish, regardless of your spelling or grammar. I do.

Updated On: 12/5/06 at 02:41 PM