are stage tears real?

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:46am

Okay, I'm probably going to seem naive but, when I saw The Boy From Oz, during the sad scene, Hugh had tears running down his cheeks. I didn't see him put his hands to his eyes to put in drops...were these real tears? I was sitting in the first row and it seemed so real to me.

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:49am

There are some really passionate actors out there that yes, can make themselves cry. Hugh Jackman is amazing, so it doesn't surprise me in the least that he would be able to do that. There are other actors, however good they may be, that cannot make themselves cry and sometimes faux tears are used.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:50am

Yes. How they are accomplished is a result of the actor's own methods to produce them. Something with which I have had much difficulty. Unless you enter the stage in tears, there really is no way to employ drops or dust as in Hollywood films. It comes more naturally for some than others.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 10:52am

Thanks Triple Star and Mister Matt

[PigletH13]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 11:17am

Oh yes...Mr. Jackman's tears are indeed real. Get's me all the time!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 11:17am

Some entertainers can cry on cue. Judy Garland comes to mind. If you want or need it to happen, you just have to go someplace inside and find that part that produces tears. It may be there one performance and not the next. Easy for some and nearly impossible for others.

Onstage, if you see tears flow during a scene, they're real. Industrial Light and Magic can't make them appear mid-scene.

Hume Cronyn had a piece of wisdom about characters crying on stage. Trying NOT to cry or break down into sobbing while continuing the scene elicits far more sympathy/empathy for the character from the audience than crying outright. Smart advice.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 11:29am

My ability to cry on demand has been an in-demand party trick for years.

But generally the dark fold of memories in my brain where I go to generate them takes me a good 10 minutes to recover from.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 11:38am

Another performer who can control the tears pretty well is Bernadette Peters. Her emotions run ramped during Rose's Turn (tears one moment, histeria the next), and during her scene right after Herbie leaves.
I've seen her cry during certain songs in concert, so I honestly believe that she taps into some inner emotion when she performs.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 12:01pm

I can make myself cry and I am not an awesome actor...

[JakeB]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:06pm

I hate it when people burst into tears in auditions. You can literally see people rolling their eyes, especially those on the casting table!

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:38pm

People do that??? LOL I thought everyone knew it was on the top 10 list of THINGS NEVER TO DO AT AUDITIONS :)

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:45pm

Yes, many actors have the ability to cry for real on stage just by emotion and passion alone. However some actor friends have told me that since it is quite difficult to cry every night when the role requires it, they use the simplest of tricks. They focus on NOT BLINKING for some time and naturally the tears start falling.

Take care

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:48pm

Hugh was very subtle, just a few tears were shed, perfect effect.
Bernadette Peters can cry, oh yes, I remember whenever I'd see her sing any song on tv, and I knew her eyes would be filled with tears before the song was finished.

[robbiej]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:51pm

Let us remember that whether an actor can producer tears from the eyes does not necessarily make them better than actors who can't.

In the end, it doesn't matter what the actor is feeling (real, true tears for faking them), but what the audience is feeling.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 1:56pm

That is true Robbie. Idina Menzel had tears in her eyes taking her bows when I saw Wicked. She seemed so grateful. It was cool.

[Wicked_Elphie]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 2:12pm

Oh I remember watching Bernadetter during "Rose's turn" and being amazed at the levels of pure emotion she could reach. It really was incredible!!

[PJ]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 2:57pm

When Bernadette sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on the Today Show Christmas morning she appeared to be crying by the end of the song.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 4:57pm

I really admire anyone who can make themselves cry eight times a week for no reason.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 5:24pm

I know some actors just have the passion for their roles...they just cry on their own. I remember Daphne Rubin Vega playing Conchita in 'Anna in the Tropics'...she was SOBBING. Crying, and yelling at him. I could tell by her face, she was really really passionate for it. I actually FELT the pain the character was feeling. And during bows she was sniffling and wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 5:44pm

now, thats a good actor! When an actor has that much passion in the role thats talent!

[CK2]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 6:25pm

Well, Mary Stuart Masterson and Jane Krakowski had both scenes in "Nine" where they had to cry (even during a song). They were both really good at it.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 6:42pm

If you want to see a master class in how to convey high stakes emotion 8 times a week, do not miss Miss Eileen Atkins in RETREAT FROM MOSCOW.

She uses Hume's advice, and breaks our hearts. The secret, I believe (having just see La Atkins thrilling work) is playing emotional shifts moment-by-moment. Watch how she's kicked in the solar plexus when Lithgow delivers the life-altering news. The sense of "first time" is key. A lot of actors in long runs, with less technique than Miss A, start to "play the end." Lips tremble, eyes water, but unless the incremental, emotional turns in the text are served, it can hurt more than help.

Whatever your thoughts on MOSCOW -- any student of great acting should not miss her performance.

Updated On: 2/11/04 at 06:42 PM

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 6:47pm

now, thats a good actor! When an actor has that much passion in the role thats talent!

Yes, it is a good actor. I could name many actors I have seen that have absolutley NO emotion whatsoever in the most dramatic scenes...So it's nice to see some that do once in a while.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 7:38pm

Auggie I totally agree with you. Eileen Atkins made me care so much about this character. I enjoyed the play so very much. you could relate to each of the three characters. She is definitely going to be nominated for a Tony for this role.

[DofB5]

Posted: 2/11/04 at 8:05pm

I always cried on cue. It's not that hard. Just had several pictures in your mind that start you sobbing. In my case, just think "And I think I'll miss you most of all." Bingo--I have instant tears.

D