Interesting Facebook debate between Sean Patrick Doyle (La Cage, Mary Poppins) and John Carroll (Women on the Verge, Follies):
Sean Patrick Doyle: Look, I know it's all in good fun, but I find lists like After Elton's 40 Sexiest Broadway bodies or whatever it is... slightly demeaning. These are artists with degrees Bachelors and Masters in Theatre, Music, Dance. And we're not inquiring about training or talent ... we're asking them what snacks they eat in between twice daily gym runs. Who cares what Norm Lewis looks like shirtless... I'm more moved by his gut wrenching Tony-nominated performance as Porgy. It's a weird little culture we've created. When the curtain came down at intermission of two Broadway musicals I caught this year, those seated in front of me had more to say about the bodies of the chorus members than about the dramatic impact of the piece. Doesn't that mean that we're throwing darts at the wrong bulls eye? Buying porn is cheaper than the price of an orchestra seat...
John Carroll: Hey there friend. While I do understand and appreciate what you have passionately written, I have to say that there are pro's and con's to everything. I'm not going to stand on some soap box and preach the benefits of a beauty pageant list, but I will say that most of the people named are ensemble members, people who don't usually ever get the spotlight when it comes to shows with big names above the title. If someone just-so-happens to like my abs, yet reads an article I have painstakingly worked on for The Huffington Post or The Advocate, then where's the harm? Thoughts?
