Weak Leads...- Page 3

Posted: 7/21/06 at 11:41pm

"Would you all stop with the Laura Benanti bashing!
Dissing her just cause its the done thing to do is not clever or cool."

I saw TWS on the first preview in Seattle and expressed my dissatisfaction with her performance that very night either here or on ATC or perhaps both. It was not a cool thing to do at the time.

"Jealously is a bitch."

Sure I'd like to as pretty and talented as Laura is, who wouldn't? But I don't hate her for her for that or I wouldn't have loved her in ITW. Besides, I'd rather be Sutton Foster any day of the week and if I someday see Ms. Foster give a weak performance, I'll call her on it too, and it won't be out of jealousy. But when it happens, you can accuse me of being jealous of her too...if it makes you feel better.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 9:03am

There were plenty of threads before the first preview with people expressing their doubts over her suitability for the role.

Of course you are welcome to not enjoy her performance. However I am trying to point out that the internet creates certain "norms" for discussion. In a way its almost like going to a dinner party in the 80s and proclaiming your love of Stephen Sondheim over that ghastly Lloyd Webber fellow.

We are all conscious about what we say and how other people interpret that. That in turn influences what we say. Of course this varies from degree to degree but you cannot deny we are social beings and the internet has radically transformed this process of opinion setting. Who knows who starts it? Just think back to any majjor casting announcement and you can see the pre emptive judegement strikes. That then informs people's subconscious when attending previews and they post accordingly.

Laura Benanti is not the only person who is subject to this sort of "trendy bashing". Here in the UK pre-cancer Maria Friedman used to get a lot of stick for being cast again and again in lead roles. In both Ragtime and Woman in White her sister was producer. That sort of "inside" knowledge then allows someone to dismiss her before they see the performance and then attain credibility in the community for their views.

Laura Michelle Kelly also had a healthy dose of trend bashing for Mary Poppins. Looking at her career trajectory and being aware of the behind the scenes rapid rise, you can see distinct parallels to Benanti.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 9:13am

There is a lot of ill-will in the New York theatrical community towards Laura Benanti because:

1. She had success very early.
2. Success went to her head very early
3. She had numerous attendance and personality clashes during her early shows.

I think Benanti has learned a lot about the business, what it means to be a star and when it is wise to speak and when it is wise not to; she's doing a lot to repair her reputation and I give her a lot of credit for that.

And if I don't think she is "ideal" for THE WEDDING SINGER, I think she's giving a lovely performance.

Updated On: 7/22/06 at 09:13 AM

[mrkringas]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 9:25am

Thanks for that response. when you put it like that there are def comparisons with Laura Michelle Kelly and her rise over here. She didnt just come out of nowhere to be Mary Poppins. She had all the main parts in Beauty and the Beast, Whistle Down the Wind, Les Mis and My Fair Lady and was being "pushed" to the top.

Factors not related to performers' performance do affect our judegements as you say. And I am sure there probably are other actresses out there who would seem a better fit for Julia. For understandable reasons the wider commuity are not privy to else was seen for the role. The mystery of casting eh??!

[QOM]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 2:50pm

The spice girl playing Mimi in Rent was the worst thing I have seen EVER.