who here thinks...

that they could do 8 shows a week, for 50 weeks ..(i am counting in vacation time) of a role like Elphaba or a role as demanding as that without missing a show? i am curious as to who thinks they could HONESTLY do it...be honest.

Updated On: 2/12/06 at 08:48 PM

by the way..PLEASE read my post with a POSITIVE tone...i wasn't presenting that query in a snotty way AT ALL..ok?

Very good observation SPOT -- the trick to doing 8 shows a week is that you have to treat it as a JOB. And it is a job that in many ways is much less fun than sporting a 9-5 because you have to have incredible discipline. If you are going to be doing a role like Elphaba or Rose in GYPSY, you can have virtually no social life outside of the theatre because your number one responsibility is to rest, train and take care of your body.

Andrew, an excellent question.

I admire those who are able to keep up a grueling work schedule like that, they have loads of heart and dedication. I know I couldn't cut it for very long although I am not a performer. When I am watching performances I tend to think of what it must be like. At the outset it looks like "wow, wouldn't it be cool/fun/awesome to play this part?" but when you think about doing it eight times a week for months on end...it's a killer.

Who cares?

People on this board think Idina Menzel is the Best Actress on Broadway...

Updated On: 2/12/06 at 09:20 PM

There are FAR more demanding roles than Elphaba and Glinda.

Harvey Fierstein has the best work ethic of any Broadway actor. He played every single performance of Hairspray he was contracted for (excluding the 1/2 performance he missed - debatable), as well as every contracted Fiddler performance. Fiddler, by far, is more demanding than Wicked.

Hugh Jackman played all of his contracted performances (semi-debatable) and was on stage for the full 2hrs and 40 minutes of all of them.

Another I can think of is Cherry Jones in Doubt. Her tourdeforce performance was one for the ages.

Updated On: 2/12/06 at 10:06 PM

In the ensemble, I would bring the same game-face every performance. However, as a lead in a demanding show it would get very hard.
Now on this thread we seem to be listing some grueling schedules. I will say Marion in WiW. Typically it would apply to every ALW female lead like Evita and Christine too, but they get alternates. Maria had a very different case though

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This is a strange topic, I think that one of the reasons that so many proformers are out these days is that broadway does not pay enough so they have to go to hollywood and do tv etc.

"And it is a job that in many ways is much less fun than sporting a 9-5 because you have to have incredible discipline"

But isn't the point of being a performer that you do it because you're passionate about it? For many people, a 9-5 is what they have to do to survive, and there's no fun to it at all. Everything in life comes with sacrifices.

And Horton, if you're not making "enough" money on Broadway, then you're living a bit larger than necessary.

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Well, Elphaba sure is harder to play than Effie!

/sarcasm

If I am enjoying something I love, I will be out on the stage every night performing, with or without my voice. (with is extra!)

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Right now, no. But I'm working very hard to get to the point where I CAN and I WILL.

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I've def can do it. I say this because I do 8 show weeks all the time. I think many people say they can, but don't know what an 8 show week feels like. It's not just I'm giving 3-4 hours of my life a night. I mean working 6 days a week isn't exactly a picnic. Depending on the show, it can be really hectic. When I think of a dance show like A Chorus Line, Chicago, or even Joseph, doing that much work physically is exhausting. It's like working out for 2 hours everyday. So when you feel a bit under the weather or tired you still have to give all of yourself just to get through. Singing shows are the same. I mean doing Sweeney Todd 8 times a week (with 5 show weekends) isn't a picnic. I've done operas that have been vocally easier to do. I'd def think twice before saying I could do it. I think I could depending on the show.

harvey only missed the second act of one show. thats it.

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