Refer To Actor By First Name

Seriously?!

You called it yourself. You're being too picky. This is a message board, not a formal review. Get over yourself, and have several seats, please.

" I think thats a VERY old fashioned notion. Especially when talking amongst ourselves. Long gone are the days of being so formal.

They're actors, not the Pope. I think thats a VERY old fashioned notion. Especially when talking amongst ourselves. Long gone are the days of being so formal.

They're actors, not the Pope. "

Yes it is old fashioned and just my opinion. I was brought up that way and will not change. To each their own.

Wow. Such disproportionately vicious responses. The OP raised this concern pretty respectfully, with a moderate tone. It's not like they called people "inconsiderate a-holes" for using first names.

For the record, I am in my 20s, and I actually agree with the OP.

I think the OP is right to point out that it's not always clear who the person is just by the first name. Especially with common first names like "Laura" (is it Osnes? Benanti? Michelle Kelly? Donnelly? etc.). And even if there's only one person who it could refer to, it isn't always easy to recall things like that based on a first name, because last names tend to be more distinctive. For example, if someone said they really hope "Michael" gets a Tony nomination for Best Actor - sure, there's only one Michael eligible, but it's such a common name that I would really have to take a second to think about which contender is named Michael. But if they said "Urie" or "Michael Urie" I immediately know who they're talking about.

I also see the OP's point about respect. Using first names makes it sound like you're talking about a buddy from work. Using last names makes it sound like you're talking about an artist, or a public figure. I admit I don't always adhere to that rule (I'd be lying if I said I never mentioned how much I love "Bernadette" or "Patti". But I also don't think the OP is wrong to point it out.

One slightly different take on this- there are times only a first name has been used and I don't recognize it immediately. I recognize "Patti," "Audra", "Bernadette", and the like but something like "Gina Claire" (as in Ginna Claire Mason in discussions of Wicked cast changes [using this as a potential example only, not saying it was actually used]) isn't something that immediately rings a bell with me, and I'd assume others as well.

I understand both sides of this argument, and I honestly just think it's part of the changing landscape of theater.

These days, performers are a lot more interactive with the theatergoing public; be it at stage door, over social media, etc. And while fans are by no means friends with these performers, the relationships are different than they were ten, twenty years ago. Many of them are no longer distant, untouchable "celebrities." There's a new level of interaction that may make people feel awkward when referring to someone, or being referred to, by their last name, especially when the performer is on the younger side as well. I have several friends in the business who have even expressed discomfort when being referred to as "Ms. so-and-so" because it feels too rigid or old fashioned for them! Though I'm sure there are others who feel the opposite.

In a formal setting, such as a review or interview, absolutely, last names and/or titles should be used. But in a friendlier setting or in a message board like this filled with casual conversation, I don't think there's much harm or disrespect in using a first name.

(This is coming from someone who works in the industry, not just a fan perspective).

Updated On: 4/21/19 at 11:17 PM

dramamama611 said: "I think thats a VERY old fashioned notion. Especially when talking amongst ourselves. Long gone are the days of being so formal.

They're actors, not the Pope."

Again, I'm not trying to dictate what you do, Dmama, but I follow the same convention with anyone, not just celebrities. I do so in person (until the other person invites me to call him or her by his or her first name) and I do so in conversation and when posting.

***

ETA now that I've read the entire thread. I agree that social media is a special circumstance. If one regularly addresses a celebrity by his or her first name on FB or Instagram, then, sure, use that celebrity's first name when posting. Why not?

But remember: if you type "Laura", I think, "Osnes or Linney?".

Updated On: 4/22/19 at 12:01 AM

qolbinau said: "I’ve never met Bernadette. Or Marin. Or Patti. Or Donna. Or Bette. But it’s easier to type one name than two. Are we going a bit over the top with the perceived motivations (e.g., self-deceived closeness) or impact?

"

No, we're not. Referring to celebrities by their first names is akin to obsession with stage dooring. (Look at all the posts here where someone says his trip to the theater was ruined because so-and-so didn't sign his Playbill.)

Celebrity is the "magic" or "superpower" of our contemporary era and referring to Miss Peters as merely "Bernadette" is often an attempt to claim some of that magic for one's self.

As for the simplicity argument, it's actually fewer keystrokes to refer to "Bernadette Peters" the first time and then simply "Peters" thereafter. The argument here isn't that one must use "Miss" or "Ms.", but that use of the first name by itself is often an attempt to sound closer to the star or more an insider than one actually is.

Updated On: 4/22/19 at 12:17 AM

dramamama611 said: "To be fair, now that I think about it, I really don't know how I refer to actors here. After the initial ID of whom I'm referring, I likely only use pronouns and last names (sans Mr/Ms.)

Regardless, as long as I know who is being spoken of, I dont really care what others choose to do.

"

Dmama, I edited my previous post a little to qualify my arguments so they are directed at "most" (not "all) usages and "most" (not all) users. I'm sure some have just picked up what appears to be the dominant custom.

As a fan of your posts, I think you are quite clear as to whom and what you know personally and whom and what you know via reputation or reading. And I think that's an important distinction for all of us.

dramamama611 said: "Thank you...I hope my writing is usually clear.

I hadnt taken any writings here on any sort of personal level, so no worries.

And to whomever commented on the severity of some of the reactions- ageism is always alive here on BWW."

Yeah, I thought the accusations that some of us are "old-fashioned" were quaint. It's true my opinions on this subject were formed in the 1970s, but only because people were already referring to "Liza", "Gwen" and "Chita" in ways I found uncomfortably familiar for a speaker who hadn't met the object of his reference.