Teens taking over....A one night only kind of deal.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:35am

Wouldn't it kinda be cool if teenager (16+) could fill in for Broadway shows. Like Chorus, Featured Performers, and Leads? Like an entire youth cast. I've actually thought about this for a while. I think that would get some great press coverage. Plus it could really be a discovery of future broadway performers. I mean, I'm aware it's crazy with all the leagal aspects and the laws of equity.

And I don't mean like 3rd row show choir performers who think they sing like sutton foster when they actually sing like anthony hopkins...(yeah, exactly)...

Just for like a one night only deal.

If nothing else, it would keep the people on here busy (the morning after).

Shows I could see done like this....Hairspray, Producers(18 year old cast), WICKED, (possibly Rent)

~and folks, let me tell you, i'm not big on high school shows or teen peformers (9/10, they're 95% ego, 2% talent, and 3%ability). So it takes a lot for me to post this idea, but I mean chosing only THE BEST teen performers, I think it would be fun to see none the less.

[Holliwoodblonde]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:43am

I think it would be loads of fun! Maybe as an Equity fights AIDS sort of thing. It may be too costly to rehearse all of the kids and such though.

[itsmeeeee]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:46am

as a 16 year old, i say, LET ME BE ANGEL!!! good idea.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 1:07am

For some crazy reason, I love that idea.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 1:20am

Thank GOD (because of unions, royalty rights holders and common sense), this could never happen. Inexperienced 16 year olds (with a tiny handful of exceptions) belong in high school productions .... there's a reason why 99% of those are so awful that no one would pay $100 to see them.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 1:22am

I mean Disney performers (like myself) know that there are special arrangments when it comes to contracts..The majority of the people who work for disney parks (peformers) are NOT equity, but yet still SORT OF get the equity-atmosphere....

I think it would be a great idea to do it like a benefit and help raise money for a charity...BC/EFA, GMHC, etc.

I'm sure it would be costly (at someone's expense) to rehearse the teens and all, but man, wouldn't the results be worth it!?!

Haven't seen you on any of my recent posts, margo...
....It's nice to have my little black rain cloud back

Updated On: 9/6/05 at 01:22 AM

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 1:28am

Awww, my first BUMP :)

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 11:55am

I think in an ideal world ruled by youth it could happen. However, I am SO with Margo on this one. Thank God the union would never go for it. I've worked with youth in the past and while I am all for challenging them, they did to be given a goal that is attainable and that my friend is where most youth productions go wrong. Have you ever seen a youth production of CHESS or BLOOD BROTHERS? I have and next season they are doing TICK TICK BOOM! While the kids are very talented and the production quality is good, tell me who wants to see kids do these shows? They don't have the life experience to even relate to it let alone the acting and vocal depth that they take to do well.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 11:57am

This is what high school musicals are for.

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:00pm

I'm kinda with Margo on this one...I mean it's cute to see Daisy Eagan sing Broadway Baby, but I don't want her playing Hattie

Maybe a Broadway concert would be more enjoyable than trying to see a 17-year old play Sweeney. THAT might be worth the price of admission. But again, it's like you're watching the same joke over and over, regardless of the performers' talents.


Besides, didn't they do that in Camp?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:04pm

that would be the best thing EVER...I have thought about this before too...but only in my dreams :)

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:09pm

I've thought of that so many times. I've then thougt of it being my best friend and I as Chris and Ellen in Miss Saigon.
I don't know if it could work, but it's a great idea.
Don't underestimate the power of high school aged performers. There are some really great ones. (I'm not saying I'm great. I'm not. I AM saying that my best friend is beyond greatness! So are our two female leads from our show.)
Besides, if you get the one amazing kid from each school in the 5 boroughs alone you'd have a great cast.

[broadwaybaby654]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:15pm

actually, lildogs, my friend who is 18, recently played sweeney and was truely amazing.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:20pm

I'm not putting down your friends talent by any means but there is NO such thing as an amazing 18 year old Sweeney!

[zoran912]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:25pm

I gotta side with Margo on this one. Wait..I always side with Margo. Regardless, I don't think that audiences would want to pay to see underage performers in their favorite shows. If they really want that, then they can go to the local high school and see their musicals. Honestly. I believe that dues must be paid. You can't just get to broadway because you're talented and young. That didn't come out the way I wanted it to, but maybe you got it. Whatever. Peace out.

[broadwaybaby654]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:32pm

There are loads of talented teens out there...maybe not in your area, but they are out there. All of the kids who make semi finals in spotlight awards are good and most of the kids who go to top performing arts high schools are good.Have a little faith you guys!

[leon1489]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:34pm

I totally disagree with Margo and a lot of people on this thread. I've seen high school performers that are as good as Broadway talent. I think high school shows have attained a negative reputation that isn't necessarily fair. Granted, not all high schoolers are capable of being on Broadway... very few of them will. However, I'm curious to ask if you think your favorite performers were absolute crap when they were in high school and their talent magically appeared after graduation.

I think an event like this would be great to nurture high school student's talents (seeing as these students will eventually replace the actors on Broadway at the moment). If you really do take the best of the best, I don't understand why this couldn't be done.

That's like saying that Julie Andrews couldn't sing until she turned 18.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:35pm

I thought of that too, BUT I think if you warned people ahead of time, I think it could work.

I overheard *with shock and horror* from NUMEROUS people in the Chicago Wicked audience at one of the shows I went too "No one cares who goes on, I mean unless you're a Jenna-whats her face's parents" (btw, I was in the audience that night TO SEE jenna leigh green...lol)
but I do feel it is a common opinion of less knowledgable theatre goers, which make up the majority of theatre goers...:)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:36pm

I'm sure there are plenty of talented teens - who are more than welcome to audition for any age-appropriate role in any professional show out there, Broadway or otherwise.

[leon1489]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:41pm

Agreed. And under normal circumstances, nobody is saying that teenagers should totally replace Broadway actors who've worked their entire lives to be where they are.

I'm just saying, for a one night event, I don't view it as a crime to art to have high school aged actors perform.

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:44pm

we're not talking about talent...and I would imagine all the posters who like the idea are young performers themselves. I know it's frustrating to play age-appropriate characters when you'd rather be defying gravity or dying for France, but that's what high school and college are for: giving you a chance to perform material you might not EVER get to perform.

I played roles in school I will never play professionally and I was glad of it, but reality sets in and you see that you're going to have to play your age and type until you become a name and can choose your own projects.

I also know how infuriating it can be to hear, "You'll change your mind when you get older," but it's true.

I used to think Cats and Phantom were the greatest shows ever. I no longer hold that opinion.

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:47pm

We're not saying that these kids will be on Broadway for the rest of their lives,zoran. I agree that it can't just hapen like that, but we're not talking about a long run in a show. Just a one or two nigfht benefit.
I'm totaly with leon. There are some great high school performers out there.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:49pm

There is no 18 year old on the planet with the technique and mastery of a George Hearn in Sweeney Todd. They can't. It's impossible. It takes decades of profesional experience to deliver a performance on that level.

An 18 year old can be good for a high school student or good for a college student, but placed side by side against a Hearn or Lansbury, a Donna Murphy, Tonya Pinkins, John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz, Nathan Lane, Victoria Clark etc..... and you can see what's missing -- YEARS or training and technique and experience. There is the occasional exception (Liza Minelli at 19, Streisand and Jennifer Holliday at 21), but the sort kind of star quality necessary to play demanding lead roles on Broadway is simply beyond the abilities of even the most gifted 16 year old.

I had the misfortune of sitting through a recent production of Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" that played several weeks off-Broadway this summer. Given its mediocre quality, I wouldn't have even reviewed it except for the hubris of the producers who had the nerve to charge $50 for a non-Equity production. The cast consisted almost entirely of 18-22 year olds, many of who were current students (or recent grads) at NYU's acclaimed Tisch School of the Arts. Thus, these are, ostensibly, some of the finer young talents in the city. Well, they all needed more training. I'd forgotten what college level acting looked like as opposed to basic professional quality acting I've grown accustomed to attending Broadway, Off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions for the last couple of decades. The cast was energetic and competent enough, but they all seemed to be playing "dress up" and simply lacked the technique and seasoning to be convincing in their roles. It would have been fine for a high school or college auditorium for $10 or something, but for $50, it was simply amateurish and unprofessional.

16 year olds belong in high school productions. They're NOT ready for Broadway. Given years and years of intense training and work and study, perhaps one out every 100,000 of those anxious little teenagers will end up being gifted enough to one day see a Broadway stage from the chorus or something -- but, they have no business being anywhere closer to that stage before then than Row A, Seat 2.

[leon1489]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:52pm

I still don't see the great opposition.

Yes, I am a young performer, but even at my age, I'm constantly bombarded with limitations. And I'm not talking about me personally going to Broadway to perform. Sure, that would be thrilling, but I'm speaking in general terms here.

If the person is capable of doing the role, I don't see what the big deal is with a one night kind of event for charity.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 12:53pm

Because who wants to pay more than 10 bucks to see a kid play Sweeney!