Nice article about Shoshana Bean in today's Oregonian

[theatreguy]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 4:00pm

Saw this in the paper this morning and thought it might be of interest. Hope it wasn't already posted . . .
A "Wicked" Talent Aching For More

[musicalsinger20]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 4:14pm

That was interesting especially since I just recently saw her performing in Wicked on my spring break in March. She is so good!

Natasha

Break a leg in all you do.

[bunchamuncha]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 4:19pm

I like it when the performer's take time to give back to the kids in school's to try and get them to Broadway. Nice article, thanks for the link.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 4:29pm

Made her sound just a TAD pretentious

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 6:18pm

Enjoyed reading it. Anyone have the link to that backstage video of her that was floating around a month or so ago?

[Derek]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 6:32pm

I have heard Bean recently in Wicked. She just gets better and better and better. Im so happy for her!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 7:02pm

she was great in Wicked when I saw it on April 13th....and I'll bet she roots for the DUCKS!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 8:10pm

She really was great in Wicked! But, and I might get killed for this, does anyone think it makes her sound almost... ungrateful. Maybe it's because I've (obviously) never done the whole Broadway thing before and I would get bored with it too, but I feel like there is no way I would be questioning if it was my "role" or not to do this. So many people try to do it. She is one of the lucky ones. Maybe I am just being naive or something...

[PJ]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 8:31pm

She does indeed sound like an ingrate. She has what's probably the most coveted role on Broadway right now, and she doesn't fully appreciate it--or so it seems. This article makes it sound as if she's just killing time while awaiting a recording contract.

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 08:31 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 8:41pm

Exactly what it seems like. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that.

[Derek]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 8:44pm

i dont think this is fully true...maybe whoever wrote this just said it the wrong way or maybe just doesnt like the show, idk

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:04pm

Hmmm, I think most of the negative comments were the writer editorializing the situation. They wanted to make it seem like their hometown sweetheart was too good even for Broadway.

"I love you, too, she calls back -- and sounds as if she means it."
That's a horrible line to end an article on. What a rude inference.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:12pm

Shoshana is the most genuine and sweetest actress I have ever met, and I've met a lot. This article was written the wrong way! Shoshana is incredible!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:40pm

while the tone of the article may have given the wrong impression, shoshana is grateful for what she is doing, even if she may strive for more, and she is one of the most down-to-earth, kind, giving people both in the business and out. I know the 5th grade class they mention in the article and she has truly been an inspiration to them and made such an impact on their lives.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:56pm

I hope that is true. I hate to think of people being ungrateful for what they have, especially something like this.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:33pm

That's harsh. Makes Sho sound very arrogant, and...bitchy. To say the least.

[DefyingPopular]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:36pm

talkin is 100% right.
Shoshana is so dedicated to her fans and to helping people. She puts so much energy into making people happy. She was replying back to her fans emails for up to two hours a night, how many other people do that?
She seriously puts such an effort into being a role model and a good person, and this article seems to really misrepresent who Shoshana truly is.

[michaela34]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 12:28am

i saw it in the oregonian this morning and was super excited. I agree that it wasn't written the right way. Nevertheless, i was still so excited to see it. Oregon needs some b'way exposure!

P.S. Elphaba, i hope she roots for the ducks too!

[birdlives]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 2:12am

I don't think she sounds at all ungrateful. I just think some jealous people are reading into it the wrong way.

The girl has had a dream since she was very young, to sing her own songs, her own way. That is her strongest heart's desire, as an artist. She's a creator, not just an interpreter of other people's stuff. She just happens to be extremely good at one right now, and is still developing the other.

Don't fool yourself for a second, thinking she doesn't realize what this opportunity is, or that she's not thanking her lucky stars all the time for being given it.

So, sue the girl for not bowing down to whatever you think she should have, and for not being content to spend the rest of her career being "that girl who took over for Idina". Or, lay off her, give her some credit, and maybe one of these days she's going to give you the next WICKED, and give you a future opportunity in the role of a lifetime.

[JBSinger]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 9:03am

No denying that she is very talented (just listened to her wail away on "I Believe in Love" on the HAIR CD), but this article does not show her in a good light. She is treating Bway as a pitstop on her way to a recording contract. Heather Headley kind of said the same thing when she put out her first album. I just don't like to hear performers respect their position and opportunities when MANY other equally talented people didn't get their break. I don't really want to hear about how she doesn't want to be on Broadway while she's the lead in a hit show. What a ridiculous thing to say! My opinion of her will always be tainted now.

[shameless]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 10:15am

The article is not well-written, but it shouldn't reflect poorly on Shoshana. It seems like Alex Pulaski, like most of the country, doesn't understand the significance of starring in a Broadway show.

Unfortunately, I think most people see Broadway as little more than a starting point for actors and singers. Like it's just a place to train until they get their big break. They just don't get it.

But all of the actual quotes from Shoshana are pretty nice.

[AndiV]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 10:19am

lest we all forget...idina menzel's goal was also to land a recording contract and sing her own songs...

i think shoshana is making the most of every opportunity that comes her way, and i think that is great. i hope she gets a recording contract, and i believe that when she does, she will speak of her broadway time positively, not as simply a stepping stone.

all that being said, i do think that the author of that article slanted it a bit.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 10:45am

I don't think Shoshana is ungrateful at all. She loves the part of Elphaba, but was happy to keep the standby position after Idina left. She was dissapointed that they didn't want her taking over, but happy that someone else would get the part. When she got the role, she was grateful, but sad because she had just gotten comfortable with the idea of staying as a standby and recording her album.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 12:46pm

The word Oregonian made me laugh harder than it should have.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/3/05 at 12:56pm

Hehe, thanks LittleFish, I thought I was the only one, so I didn't want to insult any...Oregonians.