1776's Sara Porkalob Brutally Honest Vulture Article

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 3:49pm

https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/1776-star-sara-porkalob-interview-molasses-to-rum.html

 

On "Hatch the Egg:"

"I think the directors missed a very obvious opportunity with that song to point back at American history in the way they said they wanted to. What we see in the projection is a collage of America’s history of protest, but do you know what it was sorely missing? The protests that were happening on Capitol Hill in January. Those people were literally chanting “1776.” It’s a choice. I would have been like, Let’s have this be a rock-out ****ing song while we show those images of white supremacists charging Capitol Hill.

 

On the direct address to the audience:

"I think that choice is actually really bad. It feels cringey. On the inside, I’m cringing at that, I’m cringing at the ****ing projected egg song, and I cringe a little at the end when we hold out those coatsThe image the audience is left with at the end of 1776 is the cast holding out their Revolutionary-era jackets.. I’m like, It’s okay. I wouldn’t have wanted it this way, but I am doing my job. The turn out is a bad choice because, in that moment, with what Franklin is saying and us turning out to the audience, it doesn’t achieve what the directors wanted it to. It’s the most humanizing text in this play, and we’re standing there looking at the audience. But the reason we were directed to look at the audience was to remind the audience that we weren’t considered when this compromise was made. Does that read? No, it doesn’t. It drives me crazy. I think, You’ve already achieved that goal, directors, by casting us in this show. People are going to interpret the text, first and foremost. I have to gird my loins for that moment."

 

On not getting to make creative decisions and being directed:

"It’s horrible. I hate it. I’m privileged that Diane Paulus came to me through the Dragon Cycle. She and Jeffrey had a lot of respect for me as a collaborator, not just as an actor. When it came to contributing in the room, people would stop and listen to me, which is fantastic. But it’s hard because I’m not the director. If I don’t agree with something, I have to say, Oh, not today. What I want to do with my time is make new works with collaborators."

 

On what she wants out of 1776 on Broadway as an experience:

"A Tony nomination, good reviews, and a smart, personable, hard-working agency that’s ready to rep me. Also, I guess more Instagram followers and more community here in New York. I don’t want just a career. I could make a career just being in commercial Broadway musicals."

 

On what percentage she is giving to this show:

"I’m giving 75 percent. When I do “Molasses to Rum,” I’m giving 90 percent."

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:12pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/1776-star-sara-porkalob-interview-molasses-to-rum.html




On what percentage she is giving to this show:

"I’m giving 75 percent. When I do “Molasses to Rum,” I’m giving 90 percent.""

Id fire her for this comment alone, but in general, she sounds like a total nightmare that the Broadway community (hell, any professional community anywhere) could do without. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:15pm

I’m guessing she didn’t run that interview by the production first. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:19pm

Well the American Airlines Theatre is going to be an awkward place tonight. Yikes.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:20pm

While I don’t envy the inevitable elephant entering the room over at the American Airlines, I appreciate their honesty. Their criticisms are valid, and I wish the theatre community was more open to actors speaking their minds honestly. The Broadway community has become a hotbed of toxic positivity, where actors are treated like treasonous traitors for uttering a single negative word about a production they’re working on.

Consequently, if a show is problematic or even just bad, actors are still forced to smile with egg on their faces, putting on a strained song and dance about how much they love their show, how they believe in it 100%, how important it is, how grateful they are, etc. When that can’t possibly be the reality for everyone. And it’s not fair that they should be put in that position when they’re not responsible for producing, writing, or directing the show. 

Updated On: 10/14/22 at 04:20 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:33pm

JBroadway said: "Consequently, if a show is problematic or even just bad, actors are still forced to smile with egg on their faces, putting on a strained song and dance about how much they love their show, how they believe in it 100%, how important it is, how grateful they are, etc. When that can’t possibly be the reality for everyone.And it’s not fair that they should be put in that position when they’re not responsible for producing, writing, or directing the show."

There is no industry, no professional setting, where someone can go out and publicly trash their boss and expect everyone to be like "so brave for sharing your opinions!" She isnt privately conveying ideas to her director, shes throwing herself into a spotlight for her own purposes. I am assuming the content of every single criticism she gives here is accurate (i havent seen the show). But to say "Yeah, I'm here on Broadway giving 75% because I dont agree with the directorial choices made here" is just mind-blown emoji. 

And of course, on cue, here come theater fans ready to defend her. There is no bottom.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:44pm

How on earth did she divulge all of this to a major publication while the production is still running? Absolutely unhinged and she comes off as unwell in this. Bad looks all around. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:45pm

Wow! They think very very highly of themselves and all the while giving 75%….

[BJR]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:49pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "JBroadway said: "There is no industry, no professional setting, where someone can go out and publicly trash their boss and expect everyone to be like "so brave for sharing your opinions!"

This.

Mixed feelings, as she makes many smart observations of both the production and the process.

But also, admitting you're not giving 100%, while saying you're there for the paycheck? Who is this interview promoting? Did the show's publicist get this interview or her own personal one? If the former, she's not doing the production a service by selling tickets. If the latter, I'm not sure it's great for her, either, professionally. I gotta say, I don't wanna work with that. But no one is alone...

 

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:50pm

Why would anyone ever want to hire her, knowing that she might turn and publicly embarrass a production? How do you trust being in the room with someone like that?    I truly don't understand why someone would do this.   Does anything truly productive come from it? 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:52pm

JBroadway said: "While I don’t envy the inevitable elephant entering the room over at the American Airlines, I appreciate their honesty. Their criticisms are valid, and I wish the theatre community was more open to actors speaking their minds honestly. The Broadway community has become a hotbed of toxic positivity, where actors are treated like treasonous traitors for uttering a single negative word about a production they’re working on.

Consequently, if a show is problematic or even just bad, actors are still forced to smile with egg on their faces, putting on a strained song and dance about how much they love their show, how they believe in it 100%, how important it is, how grateful they are, etc. When that can’t possibly be the reality for everyone.And it’s not fair that they should be put in that position when they’re not responsible for producing, writing, or directing the show."

You're an actor. At the bare minimum, you're required to do the show you are hired and contracted to do. 

This really, really unprofessional. 

[JoeW4]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:54pm

I agree it'll be awkward, but that the criticisms are valid. Hard to know what the right thing to do is.

Updated On: 10/14/22 at 04:54 PM

[sassylash3s]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:57pm

Obviously there’s plenty of room to argue that this was unprofessional or unwise, but I’m personally glad she went there.  It’s a fascinating interview, and I hope she doesn’t suffer too much professionally because of it.  She’s one of the best things onstage in this revival and I’d love to see more from her.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 4:57pm

YIKES. 

JBroadway, I do on some level understand your argument. Actors shouldnt have to constantly defend horrible material when they werent the ones who created it, and its a bizarre position to put them in.

That said, this interview is just bad business on the actor's part. I came away from the production saying Porkalob was my favorite performer, and that they were a slam dunk for a featured actress nomination. But if a Tony nom was what she wanted, and if a network and agent and career here is what she wanted, she has just jeopardized it. Whether she (or any of us) like it or not, and whether its right or not, Broadway is a small community and there is a certain "game" to play to succeed within it. Why would a director now want to cast her if there is now the possibility planted in their minds that if she doesn't agree with a directorial choice that she might go out and badmouth said choice or director in the press? What agent or manager would jump to represent someone who takes an awesome interview opportunity with a major outlet to say she isn't fully invested in the production? Theatre has to continually sell tickets, night after night, for long runs. Interviews like this generate poisonous word of mouth which hobbles a production's ability to sell tickets. 

It would be a different story if she voiced criticism after the production closed. But now potential employers see a liability. A crazy move on her part, because I thought she was supremely talented and one of the best aspects of the show. But you have to make people want to work with you if you want to work here.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:07pm

JoeW4 said: "I agree it'll be awkward, but that the criticisms are valid. Hard to know what the right thing to do is."

Our culture has just completely lost its marbles. If she makes a valid point, then surely she should make it publicly! What if someone just really detests one of her co-workers? What if they've come to hate their job, their role, for whatever reason? They should just blast it out in a major news publication BECAUSE ITS VALID?

That isnt the way the world works, and it shouldn't be. Not at a PR firm, not in a University, not at a hospital, and not at a Broadway theater. She doesnt like the gig, and having to swallow her criticisms of it? Dont take the job, by all means. We'll do just fine without you. What trash.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:17pm

Ok, after reading these posts, and reflecting on it I’ll adjust my stance slightly:

I agree that the “not giving 100% comment” was ill-advised.

And I agree that it was (a) odd to do it DURING the run, and (b) odd to go out of their way to give this extended, published interview during the run. In other words, I agree there’s a difference between being honest when asked a question, vs. going out of your way to put this stance out there in this spotlit format.

But I stand by the rest of what I said. An actor’s job shouldn’t be to hype up their show regardless of the circumstances. And if they have artistic criticisms of it, I don’t think they should have to hide it. They’re not attacking anyone’s character, just certain artistic choices, and the system at large.

For the record, I ALSO wish employees in other fields were allowed to criticize their employers publicly in this way. Is it realistic? Probably not. But we’re talking about ideals here, not what’s LIKELY to happen.

 

“And of course, on cue, here come theater fans ready to defend her."

^Also, this comment is hilarious to me, given the circumstances; as this very thread demonstrates, theatre fans are generally the 1st ones to turn against an actor who speaks against their show.

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:18pm

Sue me -- I loved this article and found it incredibly compelling. 

Whether it might have been better to wait until the production closed.... hmmm.

Still, three distinctions I think are at least a little important: 

1) They are not just saying "I thought the direction sucked" or "I don't think this is a high-quality show." They are making important, substantial points about the handling of POC actors and the lack of thought behind the colorblind casting. 

2) People keep saying "no director will cast them again!", but Porkalob does say they would prefer creating theater to being in other director's shows.  

3) People also keep talking about the 75%-90% thing, which admittedly is a bit interesting, but bear in mind their statement that "giving 100 percent of myself to everything all the time is a recipe for disaster. How am I going to have time for myself, for my partner, or for my family?" I think if the majority of actors we adore answered honestly what percent they were giving, it would be a whole lot less than 75. 

They have the right to say this. Others will have the right to disagree, and not work with them. It's candid --  maybe too candid! -- but I found it refreshing.  

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:19pm

JBroadway said: "While I don’t envy the inevitable elephant entering the room over at the American Airlines, I appreciate their honesty. Their criticisms are valid, and I wish the theatre community was more open to actors speaking their minds honestly. The Broadway community has become a hotbed of toxic positivity, where actors are treated like treasonous traitors for uttering a single negative word about a production they’re working on.

Consequently, if a show is problematic or even just bad, actors are still forced to smile with egg on their faces, putting on a strained song and dance about how much they love their show, how they believe in it 100%, how important it is, how grateful they are, etc. When that can’t possibly be the reality for everyone.And it’s not fair that they should be put in that position when they’re not responsible for producing, writing, or directing the show."

I appreciate her honestly, and having seen the production agree with most of what  Sara Porkalob said. At the same time, I'm not sure why she's saying it publicly. It's not unique to Broadway or the entertainment industry, everyone has things happen at work they disagree with. And almost no one goes on the record saying they hate their job and all of the creative decisions made at their office. 

She had the option of not giving the interview, she didn't even need to lie. I'm not sure how she's being put in an unfair position.  

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:21pm

JBroadway said: "
“And of course, on cue, here come theater fans ready to defend her."

^Also, this comment is hilarious to me, given the circumstances; as this very thread demonstrates, theatre fans are generally the 1st ones to turn against an actor who speaks against their show."

LOL, yes. Thank you for this.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:25pm

If I ever said something like this in any professional production I was in while the show was running, I would have been fired on the spot.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:31pm

She couldn't have waited 3 months to do this interview?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:34pm

God, I wish I could be a fly on the wall backstage tonight. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:37pm

JBroadway said: "O
“And of course, on cue, here come theater fans ready to defend her."

^Also, this comment is hilarious to me, given the circumstances; as this very thread demonstrates, theatre fans are generally the 1st ones to turn against an actor who speaks against their show."

I think you're trying very hard to turn this into something else  along the lines of "why must artists go out and promote their show 100%"-- they dont have to! Id be shocked if the production said to this actor "You must do this interview with Vulture!"  She can, you know, not go out and bash the people she works with? I am very very eager to hear from my subordinates and colleagues at work, because I want them to be happy, and I want to make sure they stay-- but if someone went out and gave an interview tearing apart the way my department/office is run--even if valid!-- i'd want them fired immediately. 

No one forced this actor to be in this show. But once on the team, trying to sell tickets is a big part of it. Shame.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:38pm

She should be fired immediately and never hired in the Broadway community again. Sorry, but coming from someone who hates this new interpretation and actually agrees with most of what she said, there is still absolutely no place for a professional to say something like this while the show is still going on. Part of your job is to represent the company you're working for. Doesn't matter if we're talking about a show, a restaurant, a corporation or any other type of work. She is completely entitled to her opinion and if she wanted to bring this up privately to people involved with this production, more power to her. But publishing an article for everyone to read where you badmouth all your fellow artists and point out all the mistakes in your job? Would be grounds for immediate termination in any other industry and we shouldn't be making excuses and exceptions here. It's just completely unprofessional. 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 10/14/22 at 5:48pm

Updated On: 10/14/22 at 05:48 PM