Pop stars on Broadway

[SinginInTheRain]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:18pm

Maybe this has been talked about before...sorry if it has. Pop stars on Broadway--does this really bother anyone else? I mean, P.Diddy? Destiny's Child chick? Christy Carlson Romano? I'm not trying to deny the fact that these people have talent, but it's a major pet peeve of mine when people who are singers at heart try the theatre thing. It's like when people want to try everything--music, TV, movies, theatre...it's just another thing to add to the list. But, that's not how theatre should be, and definitely not Broadway theatre. It should be people with a real passion for the stage. I love Broadway because it's in a way managed to stay seperate from the whole pop culture image. People don't have to be perfect looking; they have to have talent. There isn't the same kind of celebrity attitude. People don't do it just for the money; they do it for the love of it. You can see it watching the Tonys vs. watching the Oscars or the Grammys. The attitude and mentality and culture is different. It seems like Broadway loses some of that when all of these pop stars start being cast in shows. They don't have the same passion, they've been around the pop culture mentality so long, and now they're drawing audiences of people who may not have the same passion for theatre. I know Broadway has always been an NYC tourist attraction, but it wasn't really touristy. It's like it's becoming touristy. And the whole Disneyization of it.... Anyway, that's just one of my pet peeves. I'd hate to see Broadway lose it's charm, get "corrupted". Does this bother anyone else or am I just weird? :)

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:20pm

I hate pop stars in general, but especially on Broadway. They usually seem to have a lot less talent than people who have always been on Broadway.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:20pm

HOLD ME BACK!!! I SWEAR TO GOD!!! HOLD ME BACK!!!

[on1ystarinthesky]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:22pm

If a pop star has a real passion for the theatre, I have no problem with them going into a show. But if it's just for more publicity, or just for kicks, it ticks me off to no end. It's hard to tell the motivation behind a pop star-gone-Broadway-actor, so I can't really make a general opinion about it, but I'd really like to see some fresh faces on the stage, not ones I've been seeing on magazine covers for the past 6 months.

[dramaqueen]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:31pm

and ppl dont go to a broadway show to see a lot of pop stars doing their thing-its just not their area-its houdl be seperate god damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[on1ystarinthesky]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:32pm

Well think about this: What if a Broadway star really wanted to put out their own album, and they do, and it becomes a hit and suddenly they're known not only for their stage prescence, but for their solo music as well.

Would that infuriate anybody here?

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:33pm

Wouldn't it be great if this site had one of those 'search functions' other sites have where people can type in a few key words and the site will magically TELL THEM if a topic has already been discovered?

What?

Wait a minute ... this site DOES have a search engine? And if I type a few key words into the search engine it will tell me if a topic has already been discussed? Are you joshin' me?

Let me test this theory.

(Puts words 'pop stars on Broadway' into magic search engine.)

Holy Same Thread Titles, Batman, LOOK!






Exact Same Thread Title Even Updated On: 5/27/04 at 10:33 PM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:34pm

LOOK OUT YOU RELEASED JOHNPOPA!!!! LOOK OUT FOR LOCUSTS AND DON'T DRINK THE WATER!

[on1ystarinthesky]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:35pm

Aww, come on, Popa, I think I was just about to be christened to the board with my first heated debate!

[Jon]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 10:53pm

Christy Carlson Romano was on Broadway years before she was "pop star" (is she even one). She had a pivotal role in the original cast of PARADE, and I believe she was one of the legions of former "Little Cosettes" in Les Miz, along with Lacey Chabert.

[SinginInTheRain]

Posted: 5/27/04 at 11:54pm

Oops, sorry, didn't see the search thing!

And Jon, thanks. That sound familiar now that you mention it.

[Juliette Capulet]

Posted: 5/28/04 at 2:59am

"If a pop star has a real passion for the theatre, I have no problem with them going into a show. But if it's just for more publicity, or just for kicks, it ticks me off to no end."

Totally agree.

Tendres Baisers,
Juliette Capulet

[boborunstheshow]

Posted: 5/28/04 at 3:04am

SinginInTheRain: Oops, sorry, didn't see the search thing!




Apologizing to johnpopa is usless. He will never be happy with anything. We adults just have to just smile and nod and disregaurd anything he says

[etoile]

Posted: 5/28/04 at 5:40am

Then there are those adult who just smile and nod at what JohnPopa
write.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 9:59am

Christy Carlson Romano was always a cross-over girl (anyone remember her as Mary Phagan in Parade??).
Sometimes I worry that the big names get in the way of true performance (*ahem* Joey Fatone in Rent..........). However some, like Heather Headley, do their names justice.
All depends on the person.

[ChildOfEden]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 11:31am

Amen.

[Becky]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 11:43am

What irritates me more is when people throw a fit when someone like...say...Joe McIntyre gets cast in something when he has don't theater his whole life. It's not like he suddenly decided one day to capitalize on his pop fame. People should do their homework before spewing their venom. Christy Carlson? Again, not pop star stunt casting. And people may not care for either of their performances, and that's fine as long as it's not because of the preconceived "pop star" grudge some hold....

I wasn't sure how Joey Fatone would do in Rent, and you know? *I* thought he was pretty good.

Good lord, there isn't any reason to get hysterical every time someone is cast. Give em a chance. I don't care who they cast and I don't care if they have pop success as long as they are qualified. Now if they get the role and suck? Then they are fair game!

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 1:41pm

Many valid points have been made. I, personally, dont like the idea of stunt casting. I also understand the neccessity for it. Names bring in more audiences, more money, more publicity. If they are good in the role GREAT! if they are bad in the role, it makes me want to cry. I have a problem w/ Joey and Drew playing Mark in RENT, and the many Aidas (well ihave heard good things about Deborah.) My MAIN issue is that when i go see shows w/ a 'pop star' in it i have a hard time seeing anything else. I saw Mel B in RENT, i sat through the entire show going theres scary spice running around trying to not talk in a british accent. It made it so hard to enjoy myself. If she was good in the role i might have a diff. opinion.

On the other hand you also have to consider the new audiences that it draws in to see the show. If Deborah Cox in AIDA makes people want to go see it great! and even better.. what if they like it SO much that they come back to NYC to see differnt shows? Its that, that makes stunt casting somewhat bareable IMO.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 1:54pm

Again, i have sounded off on this topic many times and avoided this thread for days, however, Elphaba, there are PLENTY of extremely untalented actors/actresses making a hearty living on B'way who would kill to make a "pop" album and will never get the chance. Difference is, you buy an album, and it stinks, you're only out of pocket for about 19 bucks, tops. It's a whole other situation when you've just plunked down a 100 dollars (and I don't care WHO you are, that's expensive) to see some mediocre *talent* helm a show, that is a true "triple threat" (can't sing,dance or act), now that's a whole other issue.And I don't care how "nice" the person is at the stage door. The untalented lot is far from the sole domain of the dreaded pop-star on Broadway. ETOILE ROCKS!

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 1:55pm

I'll be breif:
If they're good: Great!
If they're not: Bad!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 8:59pm

Broadwaystar2b:

Your comment was extremely pithy. Did you sit up for though the night thinking about it?

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 5/31/04 at 9:01pm

well well, smartypants is on a rampage.

[milliefan1922]

Posted: 6/1/04 at 1:28am

I have a problem with "pop" stars going to Broadway just for publicity. And I hate it even more when they do that and then do bad in the role. But if some little kid wants to see Beauty and the Beast to see Christy Carlson Romano, and they absolutely love the show, and want to see more shows because they liked the other one so much...how is that bad? I totally agree with all of u who have said that it gives more publicity to B'way, its kind of sad, but true. But if pop stars go to B'way just to boost their stardom or whatever, I think it justs looks bad on their part.

The comment about Scary Spice running around trying not to speak in a British accent was quite amusing, thank you...:)

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 6/1/04 at 5:05am

Not really a pop star, but didn't Kate Shindle have to deal with this when she decided to pursue her acting career after being Miss America? People were thinking sure Miss America decided she wants to act now, ha! (or something along those lines) Now granted Kate Shindle is very talented (I've only heard her sing not act so I can't comment on that but the general concensus is she is well liked)unlike some of the pop stars that have been on Broadway, but we really are on the outside looking until we can see them perform.