When Hollywod comes to Broadway
When Hollywod comes to Broadway
When Hollywood comes to Broadway#0
Posted: 10/17/03 at 9:57pm
I am seeing a pattern here that concerns me. Without naming names of shows, actors or any Powers that Be, I am disappointed to see some of these Hollywood heroes being hired, at staggering costs, to fill the Broadway stages. And they are less than equipped to pull off some of these leading roles.
Not only can some of these TV and film stars not sing the roles well, but many simply are "pedestrian" at best as stage actors. How many costly contracts have to be re-purchased or negotiated before the creative teams realize they should audition these "stars" for stage worthiness?
For quite some time this stunt casting from Hollywood is making the seasoned Broadway performer take a back seat to a "star name". Are audiences more eager to see a big name or big talent grace our Broadway stages? Is Hollywood taking over the stages in an effort to lure an audience, only to find out too late that it's not flying too well?
It seems to me, there's a rash of this going around and it's making me itching for something more than what I see. Just my take on this.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/03
re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#1
Posted: 10/17/03 at 10:49pmI didn't think much of it at first...but when "actors" from boy bands like The Backstreet Boys and N'Sync get roles in Broadway shows, it just makes me wonder what the producers consider real talent.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#2
Posted: 10/18/03 at 7:16am
Somehow I understand it that they hire big name stars. But usually the big name actor is in the show only for a limited time (the next movie is waiting.....).
If such a famous actor wants to do some Broadway work then he/she should do a play not a musical. I will never understand how they could hire Melanie Griffith for Chicago. On the other hand there are exceptions like Antonio Banderas who unlike his wife is quite a talented singer.
I don't have any problems with actors like Billy Crudup, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mary-Louise Parker, Robert Sean Leonard, Brian Dennehy, Jane Krakowski or Mary Stuart Masterson who do films/TV and from time to time come back to do a Broadway play or a musical (Krakwoski and MSM). Most of them already have had theatrical roots and experience onstage. But to be honest those are not really "Hollywood actors".
I personally never want to see a Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Nicolas Cage or Ben Affleck on a Broadway stage.
Hiring a singer might be not so bad for a musical but I doubt their acting talent.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#3
Posted: 10/18/03 at 7:24am
Don't lump them together.......
Just because a person is known as a "singer" doesn't mean they can't act. Just because a person is know as an "actor" doesn't mean they can't sing......
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#4
Posted: 10/18/03 at 9:43am
Broadway has long had the tradition of hiring Hollywood stars for its productions. Here's just a short list:
Anthony Quinn replaced Marlon Brando in the original STREETCAR
Ginger Rogers replaced TGC on TWHM
Ann Miller was one of Angela Lansbury's replacements in MAME
Betty Grable was one of the many ladies who played Dolly.
Alice Faye starred in a production of GOOD NEWS
Richard Burton took over the starring role in EQUUS for 10 weeks.
Leonard Nimoy also played Dr. Dysart in EQUUS.
Betty Hutton briefly replaced Carol Burnett in FADE OUT, FADE IN
Van Johnson replaced Gene Barry in the original TWGM
June Allyson replaced Julie Harris in FORTY CARATS
Jane Morgan played in MAME for ten weeks
Eric McCormack was even better than Craig Bierko in THE MUSIC MAN
Loretta Swit has replaced several stars in Broadway productions
Katherine Hepburn was an established Hollywood star when she came to Broadway
Elizabeth Taylor got decent reviews when she played in LITTLE FOXES
Martin Short gave a legenday performance in THE GOODBYE GIRL
Jackie Gleason was a big television star when he did TAKE ME ALONG
...I'm sure others can make additions to this list.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#5
Posted: 10/18/03 at 10:08am
It also looks like Hollywood is starting a tradition of actors going into politics as well! You better take care not to boo anyone–they could raise your taxes next year! And when you go to a public forum to protest, they might remember you!
D
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#6
Posted: 10/18/03 at 10:12amHmmm...Arnold, Melanie and David Hasselhoff in a revival of LUV. Care to see it?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
When Hollywod comes to Broadway#7
Posted: 10/18/03 at 10:25am
If they are going to be my governor, first lady and/or president , I can’t wait!
D
re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#8
Posted: 10/18/03 at 10:52am
Even some of the Hollywood stars mentioned by Dollypop started in theatre--Katherine Hepburn was originally a member of the Group Theatre, but chose Hollywood instead(if I am remembering the facts correctly).
So, 1. The Hollywood star may have started in the theatre (Antonio Banderas was). or 2. The star is giving the stage a chance--and might be excellent.
Yes, I'd rather see talent on the stage. And, I'd also like to have theatre audiences around in the future. So, hopefully Antonio Banderas and Hugh Jackman are making new theatre lovers.
And hopefully other movie stars aren't driving the audiences away. lol =)
re: When Hollywood comes to Broadway#9
Posted: 10/18/03 at 11:16am
Stars have always been a part of Broadway and it is odd for us to think that because we know someone due to their film, recording, or television work that they are an inadequate stage performer.
For many, theater is an explosion of vibrant life. It can be very exciting to see someone you know from the main pop culture world, live and in person, on a Broadway stage. Broadway has a history of delivering this type of thrill from as far back as I can ascertain...so this is not a new "trend."
The high profile performance of Melanie Griffith in Chicago and the pretty much unanimous positive reviews and audience reactions she received as well as the box office improvement she provided, reinforces that people do indeed enjoy seeing movie stars alive and in person. The part she played was retailored for her and the theater has a long history of adapting parts to fit its performers. I suspect the vast majority of theatergoers, given the choice, would prefer to see a movie star give a great performance as Roxie Hart and really not care much how the show deviated from when a different performer played the part.
Well known performers most often add excitement to the production and dollars to the box office and give the audience an added thrill of having been in the presence of a star.
re: re: When Hollywood comes to Broadway#10
Posted: 10/18/03 at 12:52pm
I can appreciate what most of you are saying. Star casting will always exsist. I just think it's a risky venture in many cases. And yes, people will continue to come to see a BIG film/recording star regardless if they can pull off the role well. Right you are, many a show has been adjusted to fit these "6 mos.stars" But in the long term success of a Broadway show, it often doesn't last much beyond that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I personally place more value on a show's ability to stand on it's own. When a solid show hires and rotates a stage proven, quailty Broadway cast, it lasts beyond a year or two. Right? Just look at what's been pulling in crowds for years, regardless of the cast, for the most part.
True, there have been some pleasant surprises to come from Hollywood or a high profile recording career to Broadway, as Dolly pop highlighted. But there have also been as many or more who really do not transfer well from film to stage. And some who cannot sing or act well at all on stage ,as was mentioned, it is almost a surprise that he/she can't do stage well! I really am avoiding names for personal reasons, but that's irrelvant to this topic. But "sex appeal" and who knows who, seems to rule over talent way too often these days.
Guess we all have our reasons for going to certain shows. I'm all for giving our Broadway guys and gals the first refusal! Happy posting!
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
re: re: re: When Hollywood comes to Broadway#11
Posted: 10/18/03 at 1:00pmJamie Lynn Sigler....I was unfortunate enough to see her as Belle. It was just awfull. Alot of these Hollywood actors started out doing theatre and those are the ones who can pull it off, but the majority (Melanie) etc. have only done film acting and there is a huge difference in being trained to project into a little box or a huge theatre.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
re: re: When Hollywood comes to Broadway#12
Posted: 10/18/03 at 4:02pmAgain it comes down to money. The producers OFFER these movie people the work as a guarantee of getting their $$ Back whereas a play/ musical without a "name" seems to be a level of risk most of them can't tolerate. Whicch I find difficult to understand. You want a guarantee of making $ the theatre is NOT the place to be!!
re: re: re: When Hollywood comes to Broadway#13
Posted: 10/19/03 at 10:38am
Amen, sabrelady~ Hit the nail on the head! Money is tight in every business field. It's been a long, long time since investers just shelled out millions for a stage project that "seems like a good idea". "Star" casting is the candy that will hopefully attract the crowd and often does...for a time.
But without a solid show, in time the candy gets a bit sour.I'm still of the opinion that a solid show and a qualified Broadway cast will last.
re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#14
Posted: 10/19/03 at 4:43pm
>I personally never want to see a Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, >Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Nicolas Cage or Ben Affleck on a >Broadway stage.
I just had this image of Peter O'Toole from "My Favorite Year"
"I'm not an actor... I'm a movie star!"
re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#15
Posted: 10/20/03 at 8:27am
What about those great actors and actresses who mainly or exclusively do movies but have talent and would be wonderful on stage? I wouldn't want to Cameron Diaz on stage either but someone like Jodie Foster in a non musical would be something that would have me running to the box office. The same could be said for Susan Sarandon, Steve Bucsemi or Kevin Spacey who was wonderful a few years ago in The Iceman Cometh.
There are also singers who can act and would be good in the right role. Cher got very good critical reviews when she did Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean and I could see Bette Midler doing a Broadway musical.
re: re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#16
Posted: 10/20/03 at 8:37am
I've said it before 'the show's the thing' makes a good slogan for the side of our coffee mugs but producers have a responsibility to their investors to return that investment and to get butts in seats. Anyone romanticizing it is just preaching to a choir that is going to agree with them.
The revenue's the thing. Celebrities, even washed up ones, get on TV shows and talk shows and push the product so people hear about it. Is it a guarantee? Nope. But it helps. And with shows running longer and still not turning profits, help is needed most.
re: re: re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#17
Posted: 10/20/03 at 9:07amAs someone who sees firsthand the harsh realities of the theater business the need for stars has and always will be a needed addition to Broadway productions. At one point or another EVERY show gets offers from the management teams of "stars" who would like to perform in a particular show for a myriad of reasons. At the same time, shows themselves canvas for film and tv people who might be a boost to the box office, it's a fact of life that will never go away. Now where that leaves your average theater performer and the artistic soul of said production can be debated forever, but if a show has to utilize stunts to survive who can blame them? I had dinner a few nights ago with someone who would be considered some what of an icon and Broadway star on these boards, and she can't get a role. Why?, because while the street loves her, they need a "name"...sad, but true. So in the meantime, Dan Cortese for NINE anyone?!
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
re: re: re: re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#18
Posted: 10/20/03 at 12:20pm
Yikes. Is Dan Cortese still actually around??
My biggest fear was that they would try and get Joey Lawrence to be the Emcee.
re: re: re: When Hollywod comes to Broadway#19
Posted: 10/20/03 at 12:49pm
i think it depends on the kind of show they get into....
I saw sally field in "the goat...." and i thought she was wonderful.
i'd love to see Julianne Moore or Nicole Kidman come to Broadway but know that, as much as they'd like to, they won't because they both have children and being with them is a priority (btw, good for them).
meryl streep is someone else i'd love to see, she's been on b'way before, but i'd love to see her in a good play. she's just so darn talented......
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