The Search for the Next Elle Woods: The Spoiler thread- Page 34

[BorensteinBoi]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 8:24am

Spork, I agree with you about the tone being able to change through proper technique. I am just saying overall, one does not usually go from a nice, natural belt with very little spin to a full, vibrato lovely mixy belt like Becky Gulsvig's unless it is being manipulated through the jaw etc. While breath support can help that, it will not make her into a ridiculous singer. This isn't to bash Bailey as I actually think from the girls shown, she is the right choice, charisma wise. I think Autumn is leaps and bounds more trained, but her aura is a little off and with Elle, that matters I guess.


Also, I agree about LBB. I think there a lot of great things about her but somewhere between Hairspray where she sounded great and now I think something weird happened. I hope they sent Bailey to a different teacher than whomever they proposed LBB study with because the technique was clearly wrong. It's just hard because I study MT, like so many others, and know so many VERY talented girls that I think would be great. My own bias. :)
Updated On: 7/21/08 at 08:24 AM

[jennamajig]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 10:47am

SporkGoddess, word to your last post. As a person whose has also had years of vocal training, I agree tone can change. Mine certainly did. However, having a natural talent makes the voice easier to develop, of course. While I'm sure Bailey could benefit from better technique, I'm not as confident Rhiannon could (though I love her spunk) because of am not sure there is enough of a talent foundation to work with. But who knows until you try, right?

And LBB should never be held up as the best singer ever. When I saw the show, the first thing I thought about here was I wished she could sing better, that she had a better tone. Her voice - and this is only my opinion - started to grate a bit. Something about the way she held out her notes, I think. But she tries and overall, I enjoyed the show (major book/score flaws aside) for what it was. I just wanted much more with her voice.

And with the options left tonight, I would prefer to listen to Autumn's voice. But I listened to the amazon clip and fear it's Bailey. But she could surprise us all, I suppose.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 10:56am

LBB was never the best singer in the world, but her singing isn't what makes her Elle Woods. Laura Bell completely encompasses everything about that role, and gives it her 150%, no matter HOW she's feeling or what's going on with her chords, and that's something you can't teach, and none of those reality show girls have. Laura's presence and her commitment to Legally Blonde are amazing, and I really, really wish that she weren't leaving, because her performance last night was outstanding. And she can tap. :-P

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 11:18am

In an interview, Rhiannon had this to say:

"I do have a secret. I don't know if I should tell you."

"I'm prepared to move to New York City in August. I feel like Broadway is really where I'd love to be. It's my turn to take on the Big Apple!"

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700244163,00.html

What could her "secret" be? And did she not win saying she would move to NYC in August?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 11:30am

Eh, I don't like LBB as Elle. I think that her acting is bad. But to each their own, I suppose.

[TLC24]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 11:50am

not that this is a surprise.. but here is an article about Bailey, from her hometown, that talks about her performing in the finale.

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2008/jul/19/andersons-bailey-hanks-may-be-legally-blonde-top-s/

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 12:59pm

I read that the final two girls will be performing THREE songs tonight.

[brochatkid]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 1:32pm

Do you think Bernie Telsey will just say, "I'm sorry. We just don't see you as the next Elle Woods." to the loser tonight or will they actually give some real critiques?

That's my biggest beef with the show...that they give such a a glossed over critique and focus so little on what goes on behind the scenes with the judging and discussions about the candidates.

I'd really like to know the reasoning behind Bailey winning and more info than the usual.

[theatergirl900]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 1:40pm

ugh i wish none of them would win.....really none of them are that amazing.....
ill watch it tonight though....to see who they chose
but i feel sorry for anyone who will buy tickets while any of these girls are performing
they arent even close to LBB

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:07pm

"But I'm sure under the casting information of Elle, one of the things they are looking for is the ability to tap."

I have to chime in and say Elle is not a tap role. Just because there is a 20 second tap sequence doesn't mean it is. I doubt in the role description they are looking for someone who can tap, but someone who is a fast learner and has some degree of dancing and movement skills. Having the look, movements and personality seriously outweighs your tap dance ability in this situation. The tap sequence is something that can be learned with time. You would use the term "tap role" for a more tap intensive role, which is where you are confused.

[Mattt]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:09pm

I am really looking forward to tonights episode. I'm rooting for Autumn but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if she was eliminated at the beginning of the episode.

On a sidenote, I went to Ellen's Stardust Diner Saturday and it really pissed me off because there was this waitess that would make the PERFECT Elle Woods with so much talent. She had the looks and everything. It just doesn't make sense that there are hundreds of young actresses in the city who can play this role ten times better than anyone on the TV show.

[theatergirl900]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:16pm

omg matt i completely agree

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:21pm

I've been reading things on this board to be honest it's starting to aggrivate me.

Everyone is saying "There are so many girls out there that can do the role better." Here are my thoughts:

1.Then why the heck did they not audition for the show?!
2.People are saying that the show is waste and that someone else could have done it, TRUE, but is Jane Doe who NO ONE OUT SIDE OF THE CITY KNOWS going to sell tickets or is "Bailey Hanks from The Search For the Next Elle Woods" going to sell tickets? Look what Max and Laura did for Grease.
3.Like said someone else said (Who made a great point) Elle Woods is not a Tap role. This is not a Tap show. Now 42nd street is!
4.They say LBB ALOT!
5.And lets be honest, if this board doesn't like who wins...who cares cause there are going to be thousands of little girls who do and who will drag their parents to the Palace.
6. The reason they did this show, instead of regular casting is because of the benefits. Since the show the CD sales went up by 100,000 copies sold and people are buying tickets! MTV and LB know exactly what they are doing.

Suck it up people and may the best girl win.
Updated On: 7/21/08 at 02:21 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:25pm

"1.Then why the heck did they not audition for the show?!"

They probably did, but unfortunately were cut in the beginning group dance sequence.

[NYC10040]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:32pm

In my opinion, Actors' Equity should just step in and make casting via a reality show against union rules. Then we can get back to having talented and well-trained actors starring in things. Then again, Legally Blonde would probably have closed by now (not that that is a bad thing...this show is no where near as good as it could have been in my mind).

And again on "why did they not audition"....see earlier in the thread when we discussed the fact that many professionals look down on reality show casting, particularly because they could be edited to look bad. Updated On: 7/21/08 at 02:32 PM

[MissAmerica2]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:32pm

thank you ujcdude....i so agree. my daughter and i will go back and see the show this summer and am sure we'll enjoy it just as much as we did LAST summer with LBB and crew that we also enjoyed a ton (shes 20 and im far from a little girl lol). i'd so love to see bailey in the show as we find her so fun to watch and the most like the 'elle/reese' that we came to love in the movie. if its autumn, we'll enjoy her too im sure....we're just NO where near as critical as some on this board. we just appreciate the shows for the talent, the music, the perfomance and leave it at that. we're so in the moment when we see shows, that the last thing im thinnking is...eww her tap isnt as good as someone elses might be. that 'is' what a theater experience should be, no?

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:48pm

Most agents would consider having their client going on a reality show to win the lead role in a musical to be a serious career-ender. You didn't see ANYONE associated with the show do the TV show. Oh, yeah, they probably made up rules eliminating them, but seriously, if you were understudying LBB would you want to go up against anyone - and it seems they meant anyone - who was young and could carry a tune?

I tried to watch the TV show and almost vomited during the first episode. This is such an embarrassing, tacky, disgusting way to foist an unknown on the public.

I agree that Equity should utterly outlaw this type of stunt. It's an insult to everyone who has come to Broadway and tried to work their way up the ladder. If the producers can't be made to see the light, they should be forced to uphold a rule.

And BTW, I don't care how amazingly gracious LBB has been about all this, it must be utterly galling to spend 12 months exhausting yourself in one of the hardest roles ever performed on Broadway, only to be replaced by whoever happens to be behind door number three. I feel so sorry for LBB and love her all the more for it.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:50pm

"3.Like said someone else said (Who made a great point) Elle Woods is not a Tap role. This is not a Tap show. Now 42nd street is!"

Okay. To put this subject to rest, because its getting a bit old. I, nor did anyone else, say it was 42nds Street. I think I said Elle taps, and to my knowledge that was what a tap role was. A role that required tapping. Chill, please.

[NYC10040]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:52pm

Elle doesn't tap - to tap, you WEAR tap shoes and make sounds. Elle does a little soft shoe (orchestra makes the tap sounds)....soft shoe is very easy to fake cause the sounds don't matter. I teach tap, I should know.

And I agree with what you said allofmylife. As an AEA member (which means I pay union dues) I don't think I should have to go on a reality show in which I have to live with people as if I were at a musical theater camp to be cast as a lead on Broadway. By Equity rules, if you get called back so many times, they have to start paying you....so technically, the girls on the reality show should be getting paid by this point. Updated On: 7/21/08 at 02:52 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 2:58pm

I came into this thread a few days late as I was busy this weekend, which is why I guess I am beating a dead horse...

A "tap role" is a role that revolves around tap dancing. Doing a 20 second tap sequence (that is actually soft shoe, according to NYC10040) is not a tap role. It is an overall dance/movement role that requires you to know elements of many styles of dancing to succeed and bring forth Elle's personality.

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 3:00pm

I'm a tap dancer as well. And I suppose the only way I'm going to get this debate off my back is to admit I'm wrong. I'm sorry for wasting the space. Can we PLEASE put the subject to rest?

I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminated Autumn at the beginning of tonights episode. They do want to make it "unexpected."

And normal theater goers may want something new and fresh, but if you think about it, most of the tourists will have seen Laura Bell Bundy on MTV and when they buy their tickets, they'll be expecting the same exact show that she did, just with a different actress. So on the business side of things, Bailey is probably what they're looking for.

[Eponine3]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 3:03pm

The problem is that no matter how they go about recasting the role of Elle there is no perfect choice that will please everyone. You could put a Tony Award Winner in the role and people would complain.. You could put someone with a "name" in the role and people would complain.. you can cast it by reality show and people are still going to complain... you do typical auditions with every equity member in NYC lining up around the block to audition at 6 AM and people are still going to find something to pick the poor girl who gets the role apart about. Nothing is ever going to please everyone.

I think that the reality show has been entertaining and I wish nothing but the best for either Bailey or Autumn.

I guess the bottom line is that if you are excited to see whoever wins the role then by all means plan your trip and go and see them. If not .. then ....oh well.. just save your hundred bucks for another show and go and support those actors. There are more than enough shows to see in New York.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 3:04pm

I often wonder if this show could have better shot as a simple documentary of the casting process...but if it were, it wouldn't be airing on MTV (or getting the PR it is getting). But it would be far more interesting and credible...alas.

And three songs tonight? Are they doing them on stage with full cast, costumes, and props? And which songs are left that they haven't done yet? I think we may see repeated songs. Tvguide.com says Jerry Mitchell will make the final call.
Updated On: 7/21/08 at 03:04 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 3:12pm

Autumn's a member of Equity according to her website. It's interesting, then, that she's participating in an audition that breaks Equity rules.

[NYC10040]

Posted: 7/21/08 at 3:24pm

Yes - she is a member of Equity (she was in the AEA Little Women tour). I'm sure for reality shows, the producers make special arrangements with Equity or something.