A) If you're talking about Fantasia, she doesn't even have to "act" much at all in AFTER MIDNIGHT. She just sings. And does it exceptionally well. B) Clearly you missed her performance in THE COLOR PURPLE, where she proved she's a very capable stage actress. C) See Jennifer Hudson's Oscar-winning performance in DREAMGIRLS, even thought that performance has its haters. But they're all entitled to their wrong opinions. Updated On: 11/29/13 at 10:44 PM
Syesha was also charming as Deena in the latest dream girls tour from three years ago. She must be doing something right as she wowed the creative team. And there have been many AI contestants with Theatre backgrounds.
American Idol's purpose is not about actors. However, some of them can. And who's to say SHE hasn't trained all her life? She's a performer, doing something she's very good at: PERFORMING.
Why do animated movies now use mostly "names"? THEY are taking jobs away from unknown actors. Don't blame HER because the producers want a recognizable name.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I just think there are many actors who could do the role better and trained for the whole life to do it and do not get a chance
Do you think, honestly, that a show that has been sold out every single performance after its first two weeks is hiring Syesha because she was on American Idol? Or is it because of her talent she's been showing on stage in theatre since 2009? Who was a theatre performer BEFORE she got on American Idol. Who was constantly critiqued on American Idol for being too theatre. Sometimes those who have trained all their lives and not get the chance, well sorry, but this it not a charity for who has put in the most time.
Okay, so we're talking about SYESHA? Not even Fantasia...?
It's not like they're resorting to stunt-casting by casting the third-runner-up from the 2008 season of American Idol. She'll be fine in the part. I'd assume she auditioned and won it fair and square.
Exactly. She's coming from another company of the same show. She auditioned for that role, was cast, and received very good reviews in it. With a show like BOM, they could care less if who they cast is a "name." The show is the name here. In this production, I think her success with Dreamgirls and Papermill's OOTI played the role in her being selected as the first Nabalungo in a sit down production of the show outside of New York.
I saw her shortly after the show opened and thought she did a great job. Very positive buzz about her in the audience.
Syesha actually went to college for theatre and has a degree in Acting. She's always known how to sing and used that talent on American Idol. She is indeed a trained actress. Know what you're talking about before you judge someone.
Additonally, Carolee Carmello hasn't "trained [her] whole life" she just has it. So should she be passed over for someone who is "trained"?
Updated On: 11/30/13 at 04:12 PM
I thought we were talking about Justin Guarini for a second, and I was about to be sad because I saw him in Romeo and Juliet and the little part he had he played really well!
Diana DeGarmo also has been rather successful on broadway
"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
I'm not a fan of stunt casting, but I saw Syesha in BoM in Chicago last June and LOVED her. And for context, I've seen BoM 7 times (bway 4 times) in 3 cities with 4 Nabulungi's (one of the two LA shows had an understudy). I thought she nailed the role...
Lizzie, I thought she played her with youthful innocence. But then again, I may have been preoccupied screaming inside my head about how much I REALLY hated Ben Platt as Cunningham :)
I forgot about Syesha in Book of Mormon. She was wonderful. And I loved both Gad and Platt as Cunningham. Two completely different takes on the role and both equally effective.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian