"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
I will say that I wouldn't have put all of the guys on this list. Some of the ones pretty much say that I look good enough to be one and that's probably not the case.
If you don't mind taking it as it turns out, it's a fine, fine LIFE!
Interesting Facebook debate between Sean Patrick Doyle (La Cage, Mary Poppins) and John Carroll (Women on the Verge, Follies):
Sean Patrick Doyle: Look, I know it's all in good fun, but I find lists like After Elton's 40 Sexiest Broadway bodies or whatever it is... slightly demeaning. These are artists with degrees Bachelors and Masters in Theatre, Music, Dance. And we're not inquiring about training or talent ... we're asking them what snacks they eat in between twice daily gym runs. Who cares what Norm Lewis looks like shirtless... I'm more moved by his gut wrenching Tony-nominated performance as Porgy. It's a weird little culture we've created. When the curtain came down at intermission of two Broadway musicals I caught this year, those seated in front of me had more to say about the bodies of the chorus members than about the dramatic impact of the piece. Doesn't that mean that we're throwing darts at the wrong bulls eye? Buying porn is cheaper than the price of an orchestra seat...
John Carroll: Hey there friend. While I do understand and appreciate what you have passionately written, I have to say that there are pro's and con's to everything. I'm not going to stand on some soap box and preach the benefits of a beauty pageant list, but I will say that most of the people named are ensemble members, people who don't usually ever get the spotlight when it comes to shows with big names above the title. If someone just-so-happens to like my abs, yet reads an article I have painstakingly worked on for The Huffington Post or The Advocate, then where's the harm? Thoughts?
Some people like to be objectified, some don't. It's no surprise that Carroll, whose clothes fall off at the flap of a butterfly's wing, is in favor.
There are those who think close examination of the nudity of actors is just good clean fun; but there can still be a stigma attached.
Unless he has the talent of a Ewan McGregor, an actor can run the risk of being seen by some as worthy of, perhaps, less "legitimate" admiration if his clothes go missing too frequently.
Whatever you may personally enjoy or believe, performers need to at least consider such unpleasant realities.
I have a couple of friends on the list...so it's kind of a kick. But I can tell you the least interesting thing about any of them is the trick of genetics that make them attractive.
Hmmm ... I agree with some of these choices - Cheyenne? Yep. Leslie Odom Jr. - so adorable. But many do nothing for me. They just look to me like skinny kids who need to earn a few character lines (the kind that come with age and experience) and maybe eat a cheeseburger. Ah well. To each his own.
It would be nice to see a little more substance, but, honestly, is it any different than straight media's treatment of attractive people in the spotlight? Paul Ryan's workout regime was getting more attention than a lot of his politics; Anne Hatheway continually was quizzed about how she got in Catwoman shape.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."