Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there been?
Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there been?
#1Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there been?
Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:46pm
I don't really like it, because I would rather see 100% undiscovered talent, and everyone knows who the person is by the top 4 and on. So far, the only ones that I can think of are ...
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria - 2006 UK
The Next Tarzan - 2006 Netherlands
Grease: You're The One That I Want - 2007 US
Grease is the word - 2007 US
Evita (Don't know the name of the show) - 2007 Netherlands
Any Dream Will Do - 2007 UK
West End Star - 2007 Sweden
The Search for the Next Elle Woods-2008 US
I'd Do Anything - 2008 UK
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria - 2008 Canada
Ich Tarzan, Du Jane - 2008 Germany
Hairspray - 2008 UK
Hairspray - 2008 Argentina
Anything else or anything in the works. Oh, and American Idol has turned into a casting show, with Tamyra, Taylor, Clay, Frenchie, Diana, and I'm sure more on the way. Oh, and Ruben Studdard doing the Ain't Misbehavin' tour. I'm surprised there wasn't a "RENT Final Cast" show and that there hasn't been a "Wicked" show yet.
#2re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:57pm
The UK Hairspray show may not count. As I understand it, it's not for casting anyone in a professional production. Although the facts as I understand them are so confused in my head that I couldn't possibly recount them here without sounding like a blithering fool. O_O
I never really used to mind reality casting shows. Not here in the UK, at least. After all, the people who were getting through and winning were pros or had at least had formal training. As long as the professionals in charge of the show made sure that those who got through to the final would certainly be suitable, then there's no harm in opening up voting to the public. It gets people interested in the theatre, which gets them buying tickets, which gives the producers more money to do more things with. Okay, the TV shows are rubbish, but I handle that by not watching them. Wow, something involving John Barrowman that I *won't* watch! 
However, I don't think 'I'd Do Anything' was handled very well. I didn't pay that much attention, but weren't two of the three finalists teenagers? Personally, I'd be very wary about giving someone under 20 a lead role in a West End show; give their voices time to develop, give them training to build up their stamina, but don't give them a lead. Also, Nancy isn't exactly the biggest lead - four songs, two reprises, and only one of the songs is a solo - but the faceless They have apparently decided that the winner is only definitely allowed to do four shows a week at the moment, possibly increasing as they find out what Jodie can handle. And not even Saturday night, which is probably when voters from the provinces will be wanting to bring their darlings in. O_O
Nope, even though I've never felt particularly strongly against reality casting, I think 'I'd Do Anything' has sailed merrily over the head of the shark, and this method should DEFINITELY be given a rest for a while. Why doesn't Kevin Spacey put his money where his mouth is and do something jaunty with plays on television instead?
Updated On: 6/1/08 at 06:57 PM
#2re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:01pmI don't have a problem with it, but I think they are at this point they are overdoing it.
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#3re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:10pmdepends, but it does kind of annoy me b/c i too would rather see people who have worked hard and auditioned rather than america casting a show basically
#4re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:20pm
I don't think its particularly fair to have it handed to a bunch of fame-craved bimbos when there are people living in NYC who have years and years of training and go to audition after audition, but I guess its not all about being fair.
I kind of feel like its too gimmicky, like a way to get more non-theatre people to get an interest in theatre for tix sales...
exedore
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/20/05
#5re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:28pm
There's also the Austrian show from last year (forgot the title and what show the winners actually got into...) and a new German one coming up to cast roles in Starlight Express.
Yes, in Starlight Express. A show that still sells remarkably well and is coming up on its 20th anniversary. I guess it'll do a good job of freshening things up, but at the same time I have to wonder how smart casting that show via TV is - the injury rate is already insane and it takes a lot of extra work to get everyone trained to do all the skate work, not to mention how expensive it is to alter or recreate the costumes for cast members who go outside the standard size.
#6re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 8:48pmWell, Jerry Mitchel has the Final say for the LBB replacement.
#7re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 8:53pm
If the product is a good preformer, then why not?
I love watching clips of 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria' on youtube. Connie is fantastic!
#8re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 8:59pmI think reality show casting has its pros and cons, but the good thing about it is that it gives a lot of hopefuls who would never have the opportunity to get a jump-start in their career.
#9re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 9:12pm
"when there are people living in NYC who have years and years of training and go to audition after audition
How do you know these people have not also had years of training and have gone to audition after audition
"i too would rather see people who have worked hard and auditioned rather than america casting a show basically"
Who said these people haven't worked hard and auditioned?
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#10re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 9:16pm
From a financial P.O.V. there is real merit....if you can get them to watch/vote you can get them to the B.O. Case in point: Grease.
As far as folks already trying to "make it" not getting their fair share: they can audition for the reality show. Many hopefuls did. They just didn't all make it.
Personally: I don't like it because of how most people make their decisions. The fan base on these shows is incredibly young and often the choices are not based on actual talent but on personality and the cute factor.
However, I do LOVE the So You Think You Can Dance reality series. I love the choreograhphy and watching the dancers grow week by week.
The part I HATE on all the reality "talent based" shows is the first few episodes when they are simply making fun of the untalented and clueless. That's just cruel.
#11re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 9:18pmdramamama, it may be cruel, but it reels viewers in. Sad, but true.
#12re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/1/08 at 9:27pmLife can be cruel at times. What if someone shows up who has had very little training but simply nails the role and is just right? Shouldn't that person get it? I think so.
jackson992
Broadway Star Joined: 12/25/04
#13re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:23amI love all these shows and just wish there were more of them.
#14re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:31am
Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.
I feel like it commercializes theatre and degrades what should be a beautiful, complex art form. If they are going to turn theatre into reality TV, I'd much rather see a television show about how a Broadway musical goes from the ground up. Watch the rehearsal process, the out of town tryout, the final previews, etc. I think that could be just as compelling as these trite, terrible casting shows and the integrity of our beloved theatres wouldn't be put into jeopardy.
Plus, I can't speak for anything outside the US, but the Grease! revival is nothing short of terrible. I'd rather have non-theatre goers continue to not go out at all rather than have them take the trip to NYC to see that pile of garbage. But I guess I'm a bit of a purist. :-/ It will be my downfall, I swear.
#15re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:41am
I actually love the reality shows. I feel that it makes alot of publicity for the show and that can boost the sales and what not.
off-topic but...
"I feel like it commercializes theatre and degrades what should be a beautiful, complex art form."
That's how I felt about Sweeney. It took a fantastic musical and turned it into pure garbage. I left during the movie because I couldn't stand how terrible it was. They "commercialized" it by casting Johnny Depp who can't sing himself out of a bucket to make the film more popular by his fanbase.
#16re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:59am
Surprisingly, Johnny didn't bother me too much? It was HBC's obvious break between chest and head voice that had me vomiting in my mouth during Sweeney. What a miscast!
But I'm not a fan of modern Broadway musicals, in general. I think I'm the only hardcore (and when I say hardcore, I mean it is my LIFE!) musical theatre fan that disliked the movie adaption of Hairspray. I didn't like Rent, The Producers, or The Phantom of the Opera. In fact, I'm almost bored during some scenes in these movies! But get the Into the Woods live performance with Bernadette in my DVD player and I am glued to the screen.
However, I am looking forward to the adaption of Mamma Mia! Ironically, I strongly dislike the stage show. I think because I don't care for the jukebox musical at all I can anticipate the movie adaption because in my mind that show couldn't be anything but contrived fluff to begin with. And I pre-apologize for any MM fans I've offended.
I guess I'm just annoyed with the commercialization of Broadway as a whole, whether it be in the form of a movie or a reality casting show. I feel like it is being stripped of its arm form. Strangely, the regional productions I'm going out to see have more heart and emotion than recent Broadway shows. Its almost as if the business side is overtaking everything else.
Phew! Sorry for the tangent!
#17re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:26am
I too am looking forward to 'Mamma Mia!' despite never having seen the show or particularly caring to. When it comes to the West End or Broadway, there's WAY better stuff to see than jukebox musicals. But when it comes to cinema, they don't differentiate the way we do; they don't say "here's a jukebox musical movie, and here's a Sondheim musical movie, and here's a Lloyd Webber musical movie"; there are "musical movies" and that's it. I support all musical movies, whatever the source material, in the hopes they'll make more.
It's kinda like family; you may fight bitterly with your sister, but that's just within the confines of your family. If someone non-related tries to make fun of her, they'll be spitting teeth for weeks. Does that make sense? XD
#18re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 10:29amI can only speak for the shows from the US, but "Grease" is a well known, non-demanding musical. Casting it through a reality show makes some sense and while not a fan, I don't have a problem with it. I think they are asking for trouble with Legally Blonde though. Artistic merit aside, Elle Woods is a vocally demanding role and this could turn into a complete disaster with a star that is never on because she just can't do 8 shows a week. I'll watch it though, just for Seth Rudetsky.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#19re: Reality Casting - How do you feel about it, and how many have there bee
Posted: 6/2/08 at 11:04am
Further illustration of a great art form turning into Vegas-style kitsch by money hungry, non-creative parasites.
I hope and pray that this Elle Woods monstrosity is an embarassing failure for all involved.
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