Smoking In Broadway Shows

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:45am

The past few shows I have seen have had characters smoking on stage. I am assuming this is no trick, and they are actually smoking cigarettes, but it makes me wonder: if they are in it for an extended period, won't it do SOME damage? I may be a hypochondriac (forgive the spelling I'm tired), but I would be very uncomfortable smoking at all or even being near cigarette smoke during a show. Any thoughts on the issue?

[theater4life]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:54am

I would also hate having to smoke. Then having to sing, yuck.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:56am

They use herbal cigarettes.

[theater4life]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:58am

oh! thats pretty neat.

[sondheim78]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:02am

I guess the thing of it is dedication. If an actor is dedicated to their role they'll do what they have to.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:06am

Here's a thread about smoking in LitP:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=892188#2050043

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:19am

That was where I noticed it most prominently--also in Jersey Boys and even in the background of The Wedding Singer.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:46am

Sorry that dedication stuff is B.S. I'm not going to injest nicotine for the sake of any character. ESP if the herbal ones look the same. There's no reason for that. When you leave the character behind you wanna have a voice left. Not to mention doing it 8 times a week for a year and a half (and if it runs like phantom 20).

[MrBundles]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 3:07am

"But despite this marketing ploy, alternative cigarettes are NOT safe. In fact, some are considerably more dangerous than normal cigarettes. As the director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Affairs recently stated, "There's no such thing as a safe smoke.""

http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/herbalcig

[sybil7]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:35am

I remember the cigar smoking in Titanic. OK it made it more realistic - but, seeing all that smoke spill out into the audience made me so happy I was not seated in the orchestra - yuck.

[OverTheBoone]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:41am

I don't know how people can smoke, and then start singing! It must be pretty difficult.

Posted: 4/20/06 at 7:49am

Most of the great musical theatre performers over the years, did smoke and their careers were long-lasting and they didn't need microphones Many dancers today smoke as a means of weight control.

[peggyandvelma]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 11:51am

Drinking SlimFast is a means of weight control, too.
I'm not damaging myself for a show. I went to a college production of The Women and cigarette smoke just hung in the air. For me, not only is it bad for the actors, but what about the audience? You could so trigger an asthma attack or something.

Updated On: 4/20/06 at 11:51 AM

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:53pm

My voice is doing just fine without smoking, I do warm-ups!!!
And I don't know any good singer who smokes, there are other ways to soften your voice...
This is just BS and it makes me very angry!

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:55pm

It's a tough issue. If your character can get away with not smoking, go for it. When I saw the Chicago tour a few years ago Velma was smoking for no reason except to look snobish. i don't knwo if other actresses have done this, but that seems like something that could be cut. Personally, I don't think there should be any smoking on stage. It's really purposeless because ussually there is no important reason for a character to be smoking on stage.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:57pm

I think it's funny how the people who bitch and moan about performers smoking on or off stage have never smoked before in their lives (9 times out of 10). In all honesty it really isn't that big of a deal. Smoking in a show is not gonna kill your pipes. You just have to take extra measures to help make up for the fact that you are smoking like plenty of fluids, rest and no alcohol, etc;.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 1:59pm

Thank you, WonderBoy. Guys, it's not like they're going through 3 packs of Marlboro Reds each day. It's a few shallow drags on one cigarette. They've probably put worse stuff in their lungs just by breathing while walking to the theatre.

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:01pm

I know that I am never going to smoke. I can't even be around smokers, it kills my voice, I get a headache, my eyes turn red... and not to mention it smells

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:02pm

I understand that. I don't have problems with an actor if they smoke on their own time, that's there business. I'm just saying that personally I wouldn't want to have to smoke at all during a show. People make decisions to not to smoke, so they shouldn't be forced to have to, even if it's just little, when it's not important to the plot.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:03pm

Great point Calvin! What floats around the air in the city is far worse.

Astonishing 1985 dear it sounds like you are allergic to it which is a whole other thing.

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:13pm

I can't even stand next to a person who is smoking without getting a little sick from the smell, I don't think I would ever be able to be onstage while smoking, or even next to someone else who is smoking.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:19pm

They should retitle this thread Whiny Bitches Who Know Nothing.
Herbal or not, sometimes it's character driven. And whether you smoke or not, YOU DO IT FOR THR CRAFT! I saw Nathan Lane in Man Who Came to Dinner....Nathan Doesn't smoke so all he did was light the thing and then gesture with it and put it out, it gave the illusion. Honestly, non smokers get under my skin. If you have never smoked, shut your mouth and save me your speeches. I'm too busy trying to play Richard Roma up here and smoking my cigarettes.

Oh and btw Cerveris and Esparza...last time I checked BIG smokers.

[peggyandvelma]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:24pm

I prefer to heed the big fat warnings that are on the cigarette packs, thanks. I'd rather not put myself through that, that's all I'm saying. You want to smoke? Fine. Whatever.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:38pm

Smoking is gross no matter how you look at it. If you smoke and have never stopped, you don't know that smoking is so much more than that sexy curl of smoke rising from the butt.

I may have a degree in Drama, but I really majored in smoking cigarettes and drinking beer and pretty much got departmental honors in both. I no longer do either.

In NY you may not smoke in a place of work including theatres on stage which explains the use of herbal cigarettes in all shows.

If you do not smoke and find yourself facing a character that does, the first thing to try is cutting the smoking. If it is necessary for the role, then for God's sake rehearse it. Do every rehearsal with a cigarette in your hand. I have seen big names blow the mood in scenes because they are uncomfortable smoking. Ask your smoking friends to let you watch the technique.

If you don't want to smoke and/or don't want to learn, don't take the part. There are any number of actors who won't do it, and their agents tell the casting people right off the bat, "They won't smoke."

Stopping smoking is one of the very toughest things I have ever done. Consequently I am very proud of being smoke-free for 25+ years. I also know that I could pick up a cigarette right now and smoke it (and probably throw up), but I would also pick up a second one, etc. and be a smoker again just like 'that'.

Nicotine is an insidious drug.

[incupsofcoffee]

Posted: 4/20/06 at 2:54pm

im sure most of the stars you admire DO smoke