Pop Stars on Broadway

[xanado_girl]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 11:49am

Does it bother anyone else that so-called Pop stars are starting to move into Broadway shows? It's starting with P-Diddy in Raisin and Cristy Carlson Romono in Beauty. I know that Cristy isn't really a pop star, but would she have even been considered for the role if she hadn't been Ren Stevens? The worst thing is that I heard on the boards that Britney Spears is being considered for the role of Eliza Doolittle for the possible revival of My Fair Lady.

This really disturbs me. What direction is Broadway heading? What does everyone else think about this?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 11:50am

If they can pull it off, who cares? Why are we being so elitist and snobby on this board about this? How do you know they didn't start out in theatre? Or have a passion to do theatre and now can because of their fame?

Updated On: 4/28/04 at 11:50 AM

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 11:51am

Christy Carlson Romano grew up acting though. As much as I don't really like her and the HUGE ass poster of her face in Times Square (cause my darling Megan Mcginnis certainly did not have one) she is a broadway kid.
She was Mary Phagan in Parade at 13.

Posted: 4/28/04 at 11:54am

I hate it!

I thank god we have big name Broadway stars like Karen Ziemba and Max Von Essen who can sell out a house at the drop of a hat!

I mean the other day I was watching VH1 and they re-played the terrific "Marin Mazzie: Driven" episode which just ROCKED!!

I think the direction Broadway is headed for is the correct one which is eventual extinction! Updated On: 4/28/04 at 11:54 AM

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 11:57am

broadway is not headed for extinction at all..it's just a matter of the new composers getting their voices heard.

there has NEVER been this much promise.

don't get me wrong, i totally dislike the way a lot of it is going and what sells, but the business really is growing in many ways.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:03pm

Voice - I just don't know how to take you - I mean, I realize a lot of what you say is said with sarcasm - but how much of it do you really mean?

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:08pm

red,

You have to meet La Verruso to actually get him. The second you do, you'll understand. He's as transparent as a piece of cellophane.

[simplywill]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:18pm

voice,

omg, i can't believe you said that. i'm sure you have motives which are probably beyond my understanding but even if broadway is going downhill for the time being, to believe that the correct direction for broadway is extinction is pretty f***in harsh. especailly in a setting like this. of corse you have a right to say whatever you want but, why, may i ask, do you participate in forums like this where the entire inspiration is broadway. I hope you the best cause that struck a chord in me as a little off the block.

will

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:19pm

Updated On: 10/27/05 at 12:19 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:20pm

Robbie - I'm quite sure you're right - I like the guy but always wonder exactly where he stands on topics like this one...

[EddieVarley]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:24pm

Please God don't let Voicey be right, at least let it live long enough so Robbiej and I can do a revival of "Sugar" with Jessica Simpson!

[Plum]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:24pm

Sean Combs isn't exactly a pop star the way Britney Spears is, but I get your point. The validity of stunt casting, huh? That's been covered in about 50 other threads, so I want to ask a question of my own. At what point does casting become stunt casting?

Combs had acted a small part, by all accounts well, in one movie. Did that make him an actor?
Romano was evidently in a musical several years back. Did that qualify her to be a leading lady?
Richard Gere, many moons ago, played Danny in Grease. Did that justify his casting in Chicago- without any auditions?
Hugh Jackman got nominated for an Olivier for Oklahoma- 5 years ago. Did that make him worthy of being plunked into a leading man's role in Broadway?

The results of these casting decisions differ- Jackman turned out great, and Gere, in my opinion, was a disaster. But which of them was stunt casting and which of them was a combination of talent and a name? Where does Antonio Banderas fit into this? If you think Bernadette Peters was unsuited for the role of Madam Rose, was she a case of stunt casting too?

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:25pm

In V-Anth's defense (and he knows I disagree with him a lot...AUDRA IS BRILLIANT!!!), there is a big difference between 'Broadway' and 'theatre'. Theatre will never be extinct. But I wouldn't mind seeing what has become Broadway over the last couple of years falling by the wayside. There was once a time when the most popular musicals on Broadway were the best-written ones as well. Now we have songbooks plopped on a stage without much thought given to the craft of actually writing a musical. And plays??? Forget it...they don't have a place on Broadway any longer. The truly meaningful stage work is being done regionally or in the smaller, non-commercial houses throughout NYC (and even the outer-boroughs).

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:26pm

Jessica, Nick and my beloved buddies Robbie and Eddie...

God, you can smell the cash rolling in from here! Updated On: 4/28/04 at 12:26 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:30pm

robbie - I couldn't have said it better - and I don't disagree with Voice - just wonder where he is coming from sometimes - so don't feel you need to come to his defense - I like the guy!
Anywhoo - yes Audra is brilliant, and I miss the days of well crafted theatre.

[xanado_girl]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:32pm

Plum- I am new to the boards and apologize if my post has already been posted to death. But your take on this is very interesting.

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:34pm

Diddy, by himself, has sold millions and millions of CD's....

As a record executive, he was instrumental in developing major talent like Mary J. Blige and Biggy Smalls

As a producer or co-producer of other artist's work, he is responsible for additional sales of millions and millions of CD's.....

as a clothes designer, his "Sean Jean" brand is a huge hit!...

Britney would KILL for his resume
Updated On: 4/28/04 at 12:34 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:37pm

how much would I love to put up a thread titled "Porn Stars on Broadway"..but I don't think the guys would go for it...LOL

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:38pm

I can name several...several hundred!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:48pm

Voice - you DO get around, don't you? :)

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:50pm

Sean Cody, Opera, X-Tina and songs with the word angel in them are my special niche, so to speak! Updated On: 4/28/04 at 12:50 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:53pm

oh, I think we're all getting to know your "Niche" (is that what they call it these days?) pretty well!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 12:53pm

Why does Voice suddenly sound like he's quoting ME? Very unsettling. As for pop stars on B'way, this isn't something new, it's just that the pop stars are more broadly recognizable. Daphne Rubin-Vega and Orfeh were both well known club diva's before ever stepping foot on a B'way stage. *Superstars* no, certainly not in the Puffy Combs sense but from the music biz, nonetheless. Taylor Dayne was also the original *narrator*, which became the character of Amneris, in very early readings of Aida. Meanwhile, a large portion of B'way actors/actresses just wants to go be pop-stars after they make even the slightest buzz in musical theater. I can give tons of examples, other than Headley. The transition from B'way to radio is far less easy, than coming to B'way off a pop chart hit.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 4/28/04 at 1:01pm

Anth,

Your posts just remind me of how much I LOVE you. Anyone who loves both X-Tina, and Opera is okay in my book!

Cheers,
The Balladeer

Posted: 4/28/04 at 1:03pm

.....but Ballad- they are the same thing really....