Broadway actors are aiming a familiar lament at Hollywood stars: They’re taking our jobs!
Reuters (“Hollywood stars at center of Broadway backlash“):
Every year, Hollywood celebrities head to Broadway where they get plenty of attention for their headlining efforts.
The Tony Awards, being presented on June 12, are the ultimate judge of the skills of any stage actor, famous or not, and many lesser-known performers worry that the value of the award diminishes as film stars continue to take them home.
Last year’s star-studded broadcast disheartened many New York actors, including Hunter Foster, who started the Facebook group Give the Tonys Back to Broadway!! in an effort to combat the Tinseltown effect. With the now almost 9,000-member group, Foster hopes to restore the ceremony as a beacon of hope for the next generation of stage performers.
Whether stage actors like his sister, Sutton Foster — nominated this year for her performance in “Anything Goes” — will disappear from Broadway’s future if the Tonys continue to focus on Hollywood stars is debatable. Many actors appearing on Broadway — including Al Pacino, a nominee this year for “The Merchant of Venice” — began their careers on stage, but their mass appeal comes from their films.
“I have worked my ass off to get to where I am, so I understand that strug
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A star can be an economic necessity for a Broadway show, and Michael Riedel, New York Post theater columnist and host of PBS’s “Theater Talk,” does not think Hollywood stars take jobs away from New York actors. “If you didn’t have these celebrities, a lot of these shows wouldn’t be produced,” he said. “All of these shows have people in them who are not movie stars and they’re all working.”
A Tony represents the Holy Grail for a stage actor and can significantly boost a performer’s career, whereas film and television actors are already honored with awards like Oscars and Emmys. Having widely recognized actors swoop in and secure a Tony nomination can be upsetting to some, said Garrett Eisler of the blog The Playgoer, as there are limited spots.
According to Eisler, stars have driven Broadway ticket sales throughout history, but “what changed is the definition of who is a star.” In the 1950s and ’60s, the box office names were Robert Preston, Rex Harrison, and Zero Mostel, who had some fame from film but whose main medium was the stage. “A Broadway star could really be a star,” Eisler said, recognizing that Patti LuPone is one of the few who fits this bill today. “Now you can’t be a star unless you’re a Hollywood star.”
The Internet democratizes entertainment, and a stage performer will never receive the same size audience for a Broadway show that another actor will receive for a film or a television series. ”There’s been a generational shift,” Eisler explained, noting that today’s generation of young people is the first to come of age with the Internet. “Certain stars can’t become household names without appearing on multiple platforms.”
Tony winner and New York stage veteran Victoria Clark acknowledged her win for “The Light in the Piazza” in 2005 helped launch her career and turned her into more of a “known quantity.” Her role as Mother Superior in this year’s “Sister Act,” for which she is nominated, came to her in part because of her name and the connections she made through her past work. ”Jerry Zaks could have gone after anybody between the ages of 45 and 80 for this part,” she said, referring to the show’s director. “There’s a message to our directors: Support the people that supported you when you first started your career and go back to those people and give them a shot.”
Celebrities coming to Broadway take work away from New York theater actors, according to Clark, but she also says the industry should not separate actors into film, TV, and stage categories. “It’s our culture that segregates us,” she argued. “If we were actors in any other country, we’d all be doing everything, no questions asked.”
This is a bizarre lament. If actors who have gained fame in the movies are more able to attract an audience, why shouldn’t they headline Broadway plays? It would be one thing if their skills didn’t translate to the stage but nobody here is making that claim. Rather, people who have chosen to make their careers under the lights of Broadway are complaining that they’re not famous enough. That’s just too bad.
Catherine Zeta-Jones flashed the audience at her Broadway show, “A Little Night Music”, after showing her goodies while on stage.
In the scene, her character gets reunited with her long lost lover and she opens her kimono to show the goods. Several well-placed theatergoers were given a surprise, when they caught sight of her nipple.
Several couples on the left side of the orchestra saw the pokey and said, “I couldn’t believe it. No wonder Michael Douglas looks so happy. The couple sitting next to me also saw it and poked each other.”
I’m expecting eager male fans to be clamoring for orchestra tickets any minute now. Bring a camera, guys, pics or it didn’t happen!
source: Catherine flashes the audience – [page six]
Evan Rachel Wood has just made my morning by stripping down and posing naked.
What I love about waking up in the morning is checking around the internet and realizing another celebrity has gotten naked.
In other news Evan and Alan Cumming are both joining the cast of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark – a Broadway music directed by Julie Taymor and will feature music by U2.
Preview performances of the musical will start February 25, 2010 at the Hilton Theatre but you can already buy them on Ticketmaster if you have an Amex card, if not they go on general sale on September 12.
I’m a huge Evan Rachel Wood fan so these photos are very welcome in my opinion, I also think she would make a very good Mary-Jane.
When the set piece came down on Bret Michaels at the Tony Awards, it hit him like a ton of bricks. And now, he’s released a photo of the damage.
Representatives for the Tony Awards said that Bret was “fine” and that he “missed his mark”. They made no effort to release an apology or anything. His rep released a statement, subsequently, stating that if it had been Liza Minelli or Elton John getting hit in the head, that the Tony’s people would have made more of an effort and would’ve at least issued a letter of concern.
Bret has just released his official statement (after the jump, it’s long):
I am trying to remain very positive and somewhat humorous about the whole situation. I apologize that I did not make a statement earlier as I have been feeling pretty beat up over the last few days. The fact is I was honored to be asked to perform at the event. The entire “Rock of Ages†production were awesome and even though I was completely out of my element I was really enjoying myself prior to my injury. In fact all involved at the awards show treated me good.
I had a great time at the Tonys right up until I got blindsided, I must admit it was a little blurry after that. In hindsight, there is no doubt I got my bell rung, unfortunately it has been posted and perhaps funny to watch, but I can assure you it has been painful to experience. In all honesty I had absolutely no idea what struck my head. Upon impact I thought a piece of the lighting rig had fallen out of the ceiling and as I fell back it seemed like my head struck the stage and I blacked out for a second. When I opened my eyes I noticed a large set prop coming down straight for me. I immediately pushed myself out of the way and amidst the chaos I laid on the floor and asked “what the hell just happened?â€
My nose, mouth and the back of my head felt numb. I vaguely remember asking Big John, ‘do I have any teeth left in my mouth?’ I knew I could move my arms and legs and that was an instant relief. Somebody handed me a towel to wipe the blood from my face and in my dazed state I recall staring at what seemed to be Shrek, a talking goat head and several monkey like creatures.
Over the last few days a lot of speculation as to what happened and who is to blame have surfaced. I need to make clear at no point since the incident occurred do I feel like the accident was malicious in any way and I feel this will all work itself out. However I must state I found it a little strange that the only statement released by the Tony organization was that I missed my mark and that I was completely fine. First, I thought, ‘what mark?’ as there was no official mark, just a retracting drum riser and an overhead prop being rapidly lowered which was out of my view. Second, I think it was slightly irresponsible for them to report that I was fine without full knowledge of my condition, when a doctor hadn’t even looked at me yet and I surely don’t remember any X-Ray machines backstage. I am not looking for an apology, I only hoped that on a human level that the Tony organizations’ representative would have expressed some concern for injury in their statement or at the very least claim they would be looking into the matter.
Whether it was a miscommunication, missed cue or missed mark no matter what the situation was the prop should have been stopped or at least slowed for a few more seconds until I cleared the stage. I apparently had less than two seconds to avoid being hit. It was evident I was backing up and moving in the direction to exit the stage for at least 30 to 40 feet and it is plain to see I had no clue this prop was descending. For God sake, they have at least a five second delay to prevent the airing of unapproved expletives and nudity!
For the record never at any point during my Sunday morning rehearsal was I ever instructed that the piece was coming down and that I had very little time to get off the stage, otherwise believe me I would have stopped or at least ducked so as not to be knocked out at the Tonys. Trust me I never wanted any of this to happen. I was simply doing as I was told which was to exit the stage as Poison’s song “Nothin’ but a Good Time†came to a close.
I feel for the actors and actresses who put in so much time and hard work on or off Broadway to get to the Tonys. This is their moment and I am sorry that some of it may have gotten overshadowed by my thick rocker cranium being struck by a stage prop. On a high note I hear it was the highest rated Tonys they have had in years. However, I was bummed that I did not get to see any of the acts perform during the Tonys as I have never seen a play on Broadway before, probably would have enjoyed it, and even more bummed that I did not get to attend the after parties, cuz rumor has it Anne Hathaway was going to be there and she is hot.
I would like to personally thank Bobby and C.C., Mark Hogue, Larry Morand and my crew along with Liza Minnelli, Mark Indelicato and Carole Propp for rushing to my dressing room to check on my condition. In closing I truly appreciate everyone’s concern. I thank the Good Lord I have a thick skull and I have a feeling this may have been my first and final curtain call at the Tonys.
Sincerely,
Broadway Bret Michaels
You can see the video here:
Maybe he’ll stop with the “Rock Of Love” shows already? It was a sign from God, I tell ya!
Jeremy Piven pulled out of “Speed The Plow” on Broadway citing a mystery illness from mercury poisoning and eating too much fish. He said that doctors diagnosed him with high levels of mercury in his system, and says that his reasoning for jumping ship is legitimate.
Piven admits that he faced “embarrassing” public skepticism about the sudden decision to leave the Broadway show, but he says none of that is as bad as the health condition from which he was suffering.
He says, “The reality is, I was brought to my knees by this illness. It feels like the heaviest bout of mono you’ve ever had in your life. It was completely overwhelming to the point where you get vertigo and it’s not healthy.”
He also revealed that three of his doctors told him to rest, but that he needed further convincing to give up Broadway. Despite all of that, he still says that doing the show was a positive experience for him.
He says, “This was the dream of my career, to do Broadway. The last thing I wanted to do was leave the show. I’m so proud of the work that was done there.”
Piven also plans to recover from this illness before returning to the studio to work on “Entourage“, which he starts filming on March 15th.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise hit the red carpet for previews of “All My Sons” on Broadway yesterday and was welcomed by a few friends!
Around 20 members of the anti-Scientology group, Anonymous, protested outside of the theater. Some of them wore “V for Vendetta” masks while shouting “SAVE KATIE!”
Ace Young will be the latest “American Idol” finalist to make his Broadway debut.
The former “Idol” contestant will join the Tony-nominated revival of Grease at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre Sept. 9, according to a ticket offer. Young will step into the role of Kenickie.
The current cast of Grease, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, includes Ashley Spencer as Sandy and Derek Keeling as Danny with Janine DiVita as Rizzo, Ryan Patrick Binder as Doody, Susan Blommaert as Miss Lynch, Will Blum as Roger, Jeb Brown as Vince, Allison Fischer as Patty, Robyn Hurder as Marty, Lindsay Mendez as Jan, Jose Restrepo as Sonny, Jamison Scott as Eugene, Kirsten Wyatt as Frenchy and “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. The ensemble comprises Josh Franklin, Natalie Hill, Matthew Hydzik, Keven Quillon, Allie Schultz, Brian Sears, Christina Sivrich, Amber Stone and Anna Aimee White.
“After spending a hopelessly devoted summer with Sandy Dumbrowski (Osnes), the new girl in town,” Grease press notes state, “Danny Zuko’s (Max Crumm) world is thrown upside down when Sandy appears at Rydell High on the first day of school. What follows is a rock ‘n’ roll celebration of growin’ up, cruisin’ with friends and goin’ steady.”
Grease features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Brian Ronan.
Grease features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The new production also boasts songs from the hit 1978 film, which co-starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Among the film songs heard in the Broadway revival are “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease” and “You’re the One That I Want.”
The new cast recording of Grease is available on the Masterworks Broadway label.
After playing an Off-Broadway engagement at the Eden Theatre, Grease debuted on Broadway in June 1972 at the Broadhurst with a cast that included Barry Bostwick (Danny), Carole Demas (Sandy) and Adrienne Barbeau (Rizzo). The musical closed in April 1980, after playing 20 previews and 3,388 performances. The 1994 revival cast Rosie O’Donnell in the role of Rizzo.
Grease is produced on Broadway by Paul Nicholas and David Ian, Nederlander Presentations, Inc. and Terry Allen Kramer by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.
Can you say epic failure? Tickets for Grease, priced $71.50-$121.50, are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
“Shrek the Musical” will soon hit Broadway and here’s Brian d’Arcy James in full costume.
“Shrek the Musical,” the Broadway-bound adaptation of the popular DreamWorks Animation SKG feature, has Shrek, its spirited princess, villain, opening date and New York theater.
The show will open Dec. 14 at the Broadway Theatre, with preview performances beginning Nov. 8, Bill Damaschke, president of DreamWorks Theatricals, announced Monday. An out-of-town tryout will be held at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre, Aug. 14-Sept. 21.
James will play Shrek and Princess Fiona will be Sutton Foster, currently starring as Inga in “Young Frankenstein.” Foster has appeared in such Broadway musicals as “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Little Women” and “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Christopher Sieber, a member of the original cast of “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” will play the evil Lord Farquaad while Kecia Lewis-Evans will be the Dragon.
“Shrek,” which will be directed by Jason Moore, has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. It is based on the book by William Steig as well as the movie, which, so far, has two sequels.
Excited? Here’s your chance to see Shrek on stage and sample some of the music that will be featured — just click the image below:
