#1
Posted: 6/9/06 at 7:46am
Norbert Butz is leaving DRS to tour with the same show. Why would an actor leave broadway to tour???
why would a broadway actor go on tour?
#2
Posted: 6/9/06 at 7:49am
I thought he decided not to. But he might do it to get more publicity. Right now, onl New Yorkers or some select tourists know his name. If he goes on tour, people around the country might know of him.
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
#3
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:00am
First of all, Norbert is not leaving DRS to do the tour. He will be working on a TV miniseries. It has been said he will do the west coast tour, lasting 3 months. But we shall see.
Secondly, many Broadway performers do tours. It is how many get started. They trade in and out with the stars in NYC when needed and gain exposure with the producers, ect of the show and others around the country. It can open doors
Secondly, many Broadway performers do tours. It is how many get started. They trade in and out with the stars in NYC when needed and gain exposure with the producers, ect of the show and others around the country. It can open doors
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
#4
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:03am
Why would you ask?
It's not as if touring is beneath any actor.
It's not as if touring is beneath any actor.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
#5
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:14am
But it's perceived nowadays as being beneath a Broadway "star" to tour a show. Hopefully Cherry Jones in the tour of Doubt and now Norbert Leo Butz opening the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels tour will change that opinion a little bit.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#6
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:25am
As some golden-age star told Carol Channing, who then told Tommy Tune, "You must bring the theatre to the provinces." They are building name recognition and a fan-base/audience. That star came to my town so when I'm in NYC and see they're doing something, I'll go and check them out. I wish more of the leads would tour, but it seems like the stars rarely want to leave NY or LA. In the old days, they toured all the time.
#7
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:28am
If that is true, it is a damn shame. The Lunts toured. Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney toured. Richard Burton and Richard Harris toured, as did Anthony Quinn. Carol Channing has a career because she toured.
And Cherry Jones spent most of her career in regional theaters across the country.
Very few of the "Broadway stars" today are known outside of New York. Maybe this is one of the reasons.
There is more theatre going on every day outside New York than there is in the few acres called Broadway.
And Cherry Jones spent most of her career in regional theaters across the country.
Very few of the "Broadway stars" today are known outside of New York. Maybe this is one of the reasons.
There is more theatre going on every day outside New York than there is in the few acres called Broadway.
#8
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:46am
In a good many cases it's the money.
#9
Posted: 6/9/06 at 8:49am
I 2nd Phil Crosby. And Katharine Hepburn and Tallulah Bankhead toured a lot.
Speaking of tours, I wish the managements would display the names of the leading performers in the ads. While the tours that brought Hepburn, Bankhead and others to Ithaca no longer come here, there are touring shows that arrive in nearby Rochester, Syracuse, and Binghamton. The performers are never advertised (the last one who was, was Tommy Tune in Bye Bye Birdie and that closed before just before it got to Syracuse) and, therefore, I don't go. If I knew who the performers were, I might be enticed to make the trips. I might have heard of the actors even if the people in Syracuse or Binghamton hadn't.
Speaking of tours, I wish the managements would display the names of the leading performers in the ads. While the tours that brought Hepburn, Bankhead and others to Ithaca no longer come here, there are touring shows that arrive in nearby Rochester, Syracuse, and Binghamton. The performers are never advertised (the last one who was, was Tommy Tune in Bye Bye Birdie and that closed before just before it got to Syracuse) and, therefore, I don't go. If I knew who the performers were, I might be enticed to make the trips. I might have heard of the actors even if the people in Syracuse or Binghamton hadn't.
#10
Posted: 6/9/06 at 9:21am
I think its great for Broadway actors to tour. Forgive the Wicked reference but look at Stephanie J. Block and Julia Murney. Both of them have done work on Broadway and other areas in NYC and have both toured in a show that sells out on tour and is a very successful show. Now when they come back and do Broadway stuff again, people will think back and recognize them from the Wicked tour and if they liked them, are more likely to see their show if they are in NYC or even if they havent seen them, have heard good reviews about them and will want to check them out.
#11
Posted: 6/9/06 at 10:41am
Maybe Norbert just wants the role to be associated with him by playing it in the next productions.
#12
Posted: 6/9/06 at 10:42am
I think the better question is, "Why wouldn't a Broadway actor go on tour?"
"Ev'ry-buddy wants ta get into de act!"
- Jimmy Durante
"Breathe from your hoo-hoo."
-Kristin Chenoweth
#13
Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:35am
justafan22, try to watch "Broadway, The Golden Years". The entire film is predicated on the fact that Broadway MUST tour to survive. Bringing Broadway to the outlying states brings the audiences to Broadway. In pretty well every other country, the big stars ALWAYS tour. And the music business still gets the point. All big stars in the music industry tour. Not only is it a big money-maker, but it keeps the industry fresh and alive.
Touring is vital.
Touring is vital.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699
#14
Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:40am
Why not? It's a great way to show support for the production and to showcase your talents to people who would have never had the opportunity to see you otherwise.
#15
Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:41am
I'd sell my mother for a tour.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
#16
Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:49am
Just get the bingo-bongos done.
#17
Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:57am
If you were offered the same amount or more money than you are making to go do the same show you are doing right now only all accross the country so that every major city would know your name and see you perform, wouldn't you? It sounds like a prety sweet deal to me.
#18
Posted: 6/9/06 at 12:00pm
Brava, Cal. Brava.
ETA: Jimmy, don't forget that most glorious phrase in the English (Latin?) language: per diem
ETA: Jimmy, don't forget that most glorious phrase in the English (Latin?) language: per diem
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
Updated On: 6/9/06 at 12:00 PM
#19
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:00pm
I didn't mean to imply that it's demeaning in any way. I agree--Broadway does have to tour to stay alive. My only question was----If a star is known, recognized and loved in a role on Broadway---it would seem to be that he or she would continue the role there. (unless it is a money thing). Usually---a person will perform a role on tour and then take over that role on Broadway----I think it's not the usual for it to happen in reverse. (but obviously I'm wrong)
#20
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:11pm
Back in the olden days when there were a lot more shows in NYC and groupies who went to see a show 25-150 times didn't exist, a perfectly respectable run was two seasons or less and it wasn't the least bit unusual for the original star(s)or other major stars to do the tour. Nowadays, the so-called stars can't do 8 performances a week and they can't do one without a body mic Norbert Leo Butz is to be praised for taking on an arduous tour but if Katharine Hepburn could do it in her later years, Butz and others outght to be able to do it and withut shame.
Norbert Leo Butz is to be praised for taking on an arduous tour but if Katharine Hepburn could do it in her later years, Butz and others outght to be able to do it and withut shame.
#21
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:33pm
Well, one definite reason would be to be in the company that hits Los Angeles, giving Hollywood agents and producers a chance to see them and possibly hire them.
And there may be some who just believe in the craft and the belief that America should be allowed to see the productions and -- sorry, I can't go on with this one. It's the first reason.
And there may be some who just believe in the craft and the belief that America should be allowed to see the productions and -- sorry, I can't go on with this one. It's the first reason.
#22
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:38pm
playbill article published today:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/100188.html
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/100188.html
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
Updated On: 6/9/06 at 01:38 PM
#23
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:45pm
the pros and cons of touring go beyond the prestige of broadway.
some actors simply feel there are more opportunities in NY, be it voice overs or appearances on NY based tv shows and with the exception of LA engagements, dont want to leave that environment to go to smaller towns. Or they have family here and an apartment, etc.
On the other hand if you dont mind traveling, occassionally feeling like youre in the middle of no where and dont mind sharing a hotel, its pretty easy to save up some dough by living off your "per diem" which is an added amount of money given to actors who tour.
some actors simply feel there are more opportunities in NY, be it voice overs or appearances on NY based tv shows and with the exception of LA engagements, dont want to leave that environment to go to smaller towns. Or they have family here and an apartment, etc.
On the other hand if you dont mind traveling, occassionally feeling like youre in the middle of no where and dont mind sharing a hotel, its pretty easy to save up some dough by living off your "per diem" which is an added amount of money given to actors who tour.
#24
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:49pm
Mistress_Spouzic....
What a poor attitude and odd outlook on the profession.
What a poor attitude and odd outlook on the profession.
#25
Posted: 6/9/06 at 1:51pm
In what way is her outlook either poor or odd?
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
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