I was re-watching the gong show that is Smash for the first time since it aired, and was struck by their conversation that Ivy has all the skill, ability and by all accounts is 'right' for the role, but Karen Cartwright is a "star."
It got me thinking - what real life Broadway performers have all the goods, but for whatever reason haven't reached peak level of Broadway Star? What is it that sets those people apart?
Most of the "it" factor is totally intangible. You can't learn it, you just have it. And a lot of the difference is LUCK.
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