Broadway Successes through Reality Shows

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 6/27/11 at 3:09pm

Laura Osnes seems to be the talk of the town lately, having starred in South Pacific, is now in Anything Goes, and may be originating a role on Broadway. If memory serves me correct, she was "discovered" when she won the Grease: You're the One That I Want reality show.

Of the Legally Blonde reality show, some of the girls have been on Broadway and additional professional productions, but no one has really become a standout.

I'm pretty sure those are the 2 only Broadway-centered reality shows. Many American Idols have gone to Broadway, some stunt casting (Clay Aiken in Spamalot) and some seem to be having slightly more success (Diana DeGarmo, kinda, and Constantine's Tony nod).

Thoughts? Is Laura Osnes the only good thing to come out of reality television?
Updated On: 6/27/11 at 03:09 PM

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 6/28/11 at 1:45pm

The Grease reality show is the only reality show I've ever watched, but I have to admit that I did get hooked on that. Laura Osnes' talent jumped off the screen and I was thrilled to see her win. Since then it has been delightful to watch her grow and have more and more professional success. Laura has deeply involved herself in the Broadway community, performing at charity fund raisers, Broadway in the Park, Sondheim's birthday concert and playing in the B'way softball league. I think that this has helped her to overcome the "stigma" of the reality show. That, her sweet and humble personality, and her obvious talent have shown people that she is committed to B'way theater and that she is for real. The runner up in the Grease competition, Ashley Spencer, is currently a Diva in Priscilla.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 6/28/11 at 1:58pm

Not sure if you're counting it, but I think that both Diana DeGarmo and Constantine Maroulis have both been great additions to the Broadway/Theatre community.

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/28/11 at 2:10pm

Internet, television and talent competitions are new ways of marketing performers, and I suspect that they will all lose their stigma soon- just like having a nightclub act in the days of cabaret performing was a good way to market oneself to other audiences beyond open calls, this soon will become a common thing as well.