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Thursday, November 30, 2006
Response: Who gives a hoot about a celebrity on stage?
Guardian Unlimited Arts: "'If West End drama is to survive, it has to be an event.' Absolutely. But he goes on: 'If that means acknowledging that the public wants to see stars ... then that is the reality.' Absolutely not."
3 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I for one shy away from big name movie stars trying their hand at the theater. Personal experience at the Westport Country Playhouse showed that part of the time actors rely on their past abilities to get them the standing applause at the end of the night. Once a big name actually broke character and shouted for a line on stage DURING a show in the beginning of the run. But nonetheless he still received is standing ovation. People seem to forget that acting in movies is much different then acting on the stage. But then again it usually is about seeing the big name star then the actual quality of work. ~Boyce
it is good to see a famous star closer in real life. but agree that the acting in movies are so much different from acting in plays. productions concentrated on one cast and being influenced by one cast dramatically is just not right. it will ruin productions.
I think this can go two ways. There are celebrity stars who really are great in big shows, and then there are celebrity stars that have no business on Broadway whatsoever. Julianne Moore in The Vertical Hour totally makes sense. It does not seem over zealous of the producers to put her in this role. She is a trained actress and would bring something great to the part. Usher in Chicago is just a way to sell tickets. The problem with this is, is that with the on-going struggle to "Put Butts In Seats" we have to sometimes compromise artistic integrity to keep a show alive.
3 comments:
I for one shy away from big name movie stars trying their hand at the theater. Personal experience at the Westport Country Playhouse showed that part of the time actors rely on their past abilities to get them the standing applause at the end of the night. Once a big name actually broke character and shouted for a line on stage DURING a show in the beginning of the run. But nonetheless he still received is standing ovation. People seem to forget that acting in movies is much different then acting on the stage. But then again it usually is about seeing the big name star then the actual quality of work.
~Boyce
it is good to see a famous star closer in real life. but agree that the acting in movies are so much different from acting in plays. productions concentrated on one cast and being influenced by one cast dramatically is just not right. it will ruin productions.
I think this can go two ways. There are celebrity stars who really are great in big shows, and then there are celebrity stars that have no business on Broadway whatsoever. Julianne Moore in The Vertical Hour totally makes sense. It does not seem over zealous of the producers to put her in this role. She is a trained actress and would bring something great to the part. Usher in Chicago is just a way to sell tickets. The problem with this is, is that with the on-going struggle to "Put Butts In Seats" we have to sometimes compromise artistic integrity to keep a show alive.
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