Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
#1Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:18am
Do these things and you too may someday win a Tony.
1. Always. Pause.
2. Act...surprised!
3. Hold any note you can.
#2Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:19am4. Jerk your head around a lot and make crazy eyes.
#2Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:19am
Was she not genuinely surprised?
I excuse myself for not noticing if she was 'faking it', behind a low-quality pixilated web stream.
But I thought she was genuinely surprised. With all the MEMPHIS hype, her unfortunate Tony performance maybe bringing down her confidence etc.. I would have been shocked if I were her.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Updated On: 6/14/10 at 12:19 AM
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#3Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:21am
It was just a bad song choice. It works horribly out of context.
They should've done THE GLAMOUROUS LIFE or A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY.
Either way, I am very glad CZJ won over Glover.
#4Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:21am
What a bad 2 years for you, Mr. PJ.
Olivo and now La Cage, Hodge, and Zeta-Jones. How will you ever survive?
Updated On: 6/14/10 at 12:21 AM
keatyjoe
Swing Joined: 5/20/07
#5Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:22am
5. Pertaining to the movement of the head: Jerk the head side to side on every other word.
6. While singing, fall off the last note of every other sentence.
#6Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:30amNeck Spasms are always a good acting choice.
#7Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:33amGive yourself whiplash in the name of a spinny piece of gold.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#8Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:33amSir Lloyd Webber, your movie's Norma Desmond has been found!
Twitter @NamoInExile
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#9Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:36am
I believe he's now Lord Lloyd Webber, no longer just Sir Andrew.
Apparently they give lordships out there as freely as we give Tony Awards.
#10Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:39am
I think she's REALLY surprised, that's why I laughed for 1) her genuine funny reaction, and 2)the whole surprising situation. Also, she makes the night not boring (with her "funny" performance, how can you hold your laughter? 
). Her speech is also very delicately delivered with good humour (and also she mentioned Alex!). In the end, I'm actually glad that she won! Yes, much more deserve than Glover, and she does have the quality to win this award. Nonetheless, we are not giving her the Tony based on tonight's performance.
Updated On: 6/14/10 at 12:39 AM
#11Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:45amApparently singing well is not on that list. I don't know if it is her voice or the song or the way she was singing it tonight, but it sounded awful.
"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005
"You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.
Ignored Users: suestorm, N2N Nate., Owen22, master bates
#12Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:47amShe's been sick. Listen to the cast recording if you want to judge her vocal performance of that number.
#13Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:48amEveryone has it in them. Whether they know it or not. I know it. And I'm proud of knowing myself so deeply.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#14Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:49amShe in the official clip is definitely FAR better than she in tonight's performance.
#15Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:50amIn my classes, I know how to hold performers to the absolutely highest standards without wounding them by my commentary. It seems many people haven't figured out how to do this yet.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#16Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:51am
She said while accepting that she was losing her voice but that she would be onstage on Tuesday. After hearing her in "Chicago" I was a bit underwhelmed with her this evening but she must still be a bit under the weather.
I really didn't like her when she first came on the scene. But over the years I have liked her more and more. I think she was really surprised.
Just give the world Love.
#17Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:52am7.) Say "crowns" instead of "clowns" at least once.
#18Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:52amAre you suggesting Miss Zeta Jones enroll in Mr Bennett's school?
#19Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 12:56am
First, as a teacher to many accomplished Broadway performers, one thing I know is the profound level of vulnerability even the most accomplished artists must be in touch with to be a performing artist.
Many critics seem to disown their own vulnerability, such that their critiques are wounding to creative artists. People who disown their own vulnerability and don't know how to honor it within themselves often wound others without caring.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#20Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 1:04am
I thought she was just scanning the audience to see if Sondheim was in it. "Steve, are you there? It's me Catherine!".
I completely agree that this song does not work out when it is out of context. I think they just used it because general theatre audiences (not that any of you are) recognize that song as the torch song of the show.
And not to defend the ones with weapons, but she did perform it much better live and in the performance setting.
"She couldn't act scared on a New York City subway at three in the morning."- A review of Sarah Brightman for "The Phantom of the Opera"
#21Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 1:10amI've only ever "gotten" that song twice. Once was the amazing Judi Dench and the other was, oddly enough, Florence Henderson on the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. It's not a song that generally works well out of context, so having heard nothing else but positive things about her performance I gave CZJ the benefit of the doubt.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#22Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 1:12am
She should have Alex with him, do it like how Judi Dench did it for Hey! Mr. Producer, and I definitely believe that she will give a very promising performance. A lot of atmospheric elements could vary her quality: a MUCH bigger venue, variations in her performance, her health condition... Of course, as I said before, if she aware those elements will affect her performance, she should address it and try to do the song the way that she feels comfortable. I always uphold the belief that Sondheim's Tony performance cannot be done in a medley or without doing the whole scene. He's that great that you cannot vary a single thing to make the performance smooth.
Updated On: 6/14/10 at 01:12 AM
#23Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 1:14amShe just breathes ego. She hasn't been in too many outstanding films, although I miss her "Get More" T Mobile Commercials. The last few times I have met her at the stage door she has been very nice but her mannerisms are very laughable. I do think she is a fine actress with a beautiful voice and glad she won the award! and her performance tonight....Coherence lacked for her.
Herbie: "Honey, Don't you know there's a depression?"
Rose: "Of Course I know, I Watch Fox News"
-(modified)Gypsy
Broadway Schedule
December 5th- Hamilton, On Your Feet
December 19th- Noises Off, Edith Piaf Concert at Town Hall
Rose: "Of Course I know, I Watch Fox News"
-(modified)Gypsy
Broadway Schedule
December 5th- Hamilton, On Your Feet
December 19th- Noises Off, Edith Piaf Concert at Town Hall
#24Acting Lessons from Miss Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted: 6/14/10 at 1:16am
As I said in the other thread, you cannot say it only works in context. It is one of Sondheim's rare songs to achieve standalone status all over the world.
It's been sung "out of context" to enormous success by Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and every two-bit cabaret singer everywhere.
She's a star. It's a hit song. Choosing it was an easy call.
She simply does have a clue what it's about or hot to perform it.
