Well, you are so right newintown when you said "Accepting "awards" as proof of merit is not really the brightest thinking. Anyone can give (or get) an award."
That is why I am surprised that you equal accomplishments to being nominated or winning awards:
"...but don't exaggerate his accomplishments - the only award identified with him on ibdb is a nomination (not a win) for a simple Drama Desk. On his own website he mentions a few other low-level nominations (again, not wins). He may have won some piddling things elsewhere..."
I also find your comment "Anyone can give (or get) an award." a bit contradictory to your point. To even get nominated for something, you must be doing something right, no doubt. Unless you bought the nomination, which I am sure could happen (?) But saying that "anyone" can give an award here...I am talking about respected Theatre Award organizations here, not just "anybody". And I think the record speaks for itself when you look at which awards Mr Barbour has been nominated for. The fact that he did not win in "A Tale of Two Cities" is a downright shame...and total canivalism on the show by the "critics", most likely influenced by the underlying case in which the actor saw himself involved in. He really should have won, with respect to all the other nominees that year.
"He generally originates roles in flops, and is a late replacement for non-English speaking tourist audiences in more successful shows."
If Barbour chooses his material, and is happy with it, why not? From what I have seen, the success of a show is, unfortunately, relative most of the time to the word of mouth...not of the people necessarily, but of the critics...especially in a place like NYC. I am sure this is the city you are referring to when you speak of "non-English speaking tourist audiences". That comment in itself is, well, wild. O-o
I lkke actors who are true to their own artistic selves. Take for instance, Johnny Depp. Here is an actor who has done an collction of offbeat films, but his self seeking artistic growth is evident from the work. Barbour fits that category, and "that" is why I like his work.
It must be noted that he has had nominations in both Coasts, and even down in Florida. So the "people" who have nominated him are as varied as any actor could aspire to get.
Barbour has quite a rounded resume, where you can see that he "chose" his material. The reason he has done mostly musical theatre...? Excuse me, but if I had a voice like his, I would too! Besides the point(which this actor himself made once) that musical Theater pays much better. Would "you" do regular Theater? I don't think so.
Again, your measure of his acting abilities is an opinion. It seems most people do not agree, including the critics.
About the "criminal record" CPD...it seems you (as a few others on here) do not lose an opportunity to degrade his image with this stupid incident. Let me tell you something, I saw this movie (unfortunately not many people seemed to know about it way back when the case was "hot") one night when I couldn't sleep, and it just came on...I read the caption, and I decided to watch it, and perhaps you should too. The name is "Hard Candy", and it is one of the grossest and upsetting films I have seen. But, as I watched it, I could not stop thinking of this case. One curious thing: The girl in Barbour's case did a film in Canada where she "replaced Ellen Page" (?!). This movie was filmed in 2005, and came, strangely, in April 2006...the month Barbour was accused. Perhaps the "victim" saw the previews (or the film itself in some festival or something), and got some ideas...? Apparently she is an Ellen Page fan (it fits, they both have similar body types) by how she expressed herself in the interview (I also agree with someone here who stated that she has gotten way too much press...I mean, for an unknown and someone who had no real acting resume behind her...?).
Sorry, but I am quite sick of the way this case keeps getting brought up...and rehatched all over again. The same way when someone says something nice about Barbour they are asked "are you getting paid by him" or "are you a friend of his"? Well, we should be asking this question of those who want to drag him through the mud over and over again. Man, you would think people would just move on, but it seems "some" people just do not want this to happen. I am very sure this girl (being in the Theater in NY) is posting here also, as are her "friends". So, let's put things in their place. Truth is that this case was sensationalized (as they just tried to do in San Diego by apparently "ratings starved" journalists) way beyond proportion for what it was. There was no intercourse, to start with, and it was TWO(some have tried to make it more than that)times they met(I would like to know how much can be done between curtain calls..."roll eyes"), and the second time, Barbour himself put a stop to the relationship. Period.
And why was Barbour framed? (actually, that is the question...). Well, all you have to mention is "15 year old", and you lose the case, reagardless of particulars. And, BTW, she was 15 and a half when they met (birthday in August, they met in January?), and 2 months short of 16 the second time around, which seems to be legal in her state. Again, all that was needed was for her to be spiteful of him or be put up to it, and he could not defend himself in court due to our current "minor" laws. So, yes, he was in a frame situation.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/95385-Peter-Pan-Miss-Saigon-Caroline-Ghost-Mrs-Muir-Lead-LA-Ovation-Noms
