Grease: thoughts on Equity Actors auditioning for the lead roles!

[Jovie24]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:15am

I have noticed that Equity actors have been auditiong for the lead roles on Grease: You're The One That I want. Example: tonight, Hairspary and Soap Opera Hunk star, Austin Miller auditioned. I think it is great that they can audition and try to make themselves a big "Broadway Star" but I also find it a little unfair because they have more experience than most of the people up there; they can do 8 shows a week, while some can't. I just feel that if they were going to let equity actors audition they might have just cast an equity actors for the leads and be done with it.

What is everyone's thoughts on this: fair, unfair?

Thanks

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:18am

I think it's fair...I mean, it's their profession, so I'd say they have every right to be there...

Besides, I'm sure Equity itself has something to do with it. Would I be incorrect in saying this?

Updated On: 1/15/07 at 12:18 AM

[catstagestud]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:19am

Well I knew they had EPA's and that Equity performers could attend either auditiong so long as they were willing to be on the show. Of course, Miller was ready to be in front of the camera more. I'd never cast him as Danny personally; seen him in Hairspray and didn't do it for me as a leading man. But, we'll see what the public has to say.

Cheers,

Christopher

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:21am

Totally fair. It's their life. Personally, I would much much rather see an Equity performer go in than someone who has never performed before. They should just do away with the show all together. But I digress.

Weren't they required to hold EPA auditions anyway?

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:21am

I have been thinking about this! I figure there are Equity actors out there (And maybe some who are not) who are busting their butts waiting tables (Or something else to make money) and auditioning and maybe getting bit parts who now have to compete against people who are not "paying their dues". And my first thought is that, it is not going to be an established actor who is going to win this competition, it will be 2 people who just decided to go for it and have never been on a legitimate stage. I refuse to watch the show.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:22am

Probably not, Equity does have a say I am sure. There are certain equity rules that have already broken on this show if equity did not have a say. So, I am sure they are aware of it!

[eb412]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:24am

I wish more professionals were auditioning after watching it twice. But to make you feel better it is still a cinderella story for a professional to win because most likely they are not a huge broadway star like bernadette peters etc. That is the only thing I think would be unfair.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:25am

Just because you're in Equity, doesn't mean you have a successful career. They deserve their big break as much as anyone.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:28am

Hey Ashely0139,

Yes, they have to have EPA auditions. My friend who is equity auditioned, but they were seperate auditions from the ones that are taking place onstage.

I totally understanding, needing the job. I am all for it...so advertise the show as knowing that professionals and non-professionls will be competing against each other for the chance to STAR on Broadway.

Sorry, just felt it that the whole concept was to take two unknowns and make them stars (unknowns, meaning no professional training, no experience professionally, but can become a star).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:40am

Its unlikely that two unknowns with absolutely *no* training or experience could handle starring 8 shows a week on Broadway for a year.

I'm sure as the show progresses, there will be a bigger divide between those with professional experience and those "under-dogs" with raw talent - and I think its very possible the American public will go for the under-dogs.

But as others have said, there are Equity actors in NYC fighting to get a gig - most of them don't have an agent, have never been on Broadway or in a national tour or even in a "LORT A" regional theatre production. They are just as deserving of a chance as anyone.

As for the show itself - I find it a harmless experiment - its certainly a good plu for Broadway - of course its not very "original" - and its expected that we are going to see a lot of bad talent on the first few episodes - but I think you will be surprised what some of the talent is like when they reveal the top 12.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:41am

And you know the top 12 will be people that Marshall et al. know can handle the roles.

[Jovie24]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 12:53am

Totally agree Michael Bennett. And you are right, there are actors out there who have performed on Broadway and have nothing at this time.

But in Austin Millers case he has been on Broadway and National Tours, but I guess a job is a job after all.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 1:06am

Its not just a job - its national exposure. Thirty years ago, new talent was "discovered" on Ed Sullivan's variety show. Now a-days, we have reality tv.

Kelly Clarkson has won Grammy Awards. Carrie Underwood's debut recording was the fastest selling female Country album of all time. Jennifer Hudson is going to be nominated for an Academy Award (and could win it).

It doesn't matter if he's been on Broadway - this is a chance for America to learn his name. Advancing to the finals of this reality show would do a lot more for Austin Miller's career than being the 10th Link Larkin on Broadway...

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 1:23am

It sounds to me like these are just like any other auditions, expect with a lot more people who don't have professional experience.

I'd rather see the parts go to those people who were the best at the auditions, be it that they have had past experience or not.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 1:26am

also find it a little unfair because they have more experience than most of the people up there; they can do 8 shows a week, while some can't.

Why is that unfair? They're looking for leads in a Broadway show -- they NEED people who have the stamina and the skill to perform 8 shows a week. This could be a great big break for someone with a ton of natural talent and very little formal training, but it's only realistic to assume they're going to look for someone who can do the job -- professionally trained, Equity or not. That's just logic. I see no reason why people with proper qualifications shouldn't be able to go up against those who may not be able to handle the requirements just because this is "supposed" to be a chance for totally undiscovered talent. It shouldn't exclude Equity performers in order to ensure some sort of Cinderella story if that kind of "fairness" won't yield the best possible pair for the job.

Updated On: 1/15/07 at 01:26 AM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 1:40am

Kathleen Marshall said herself, I think in the first or second episode, that this is an open casting call and that she's concerned that an inexperienced performer won't have the stamina to do 8 shows a week. If a trained performer was up against a newbie and all other things were considered equal, I'd bet Kathleen would choose the trained performer with a track record of being able to keep up with the pace in prepping and doing the production. I wish the PR folks wouldn't promote this show to be a Broadway version of "American Idol" where they're looking for unpolished, undiscovered talent, but rather a pseudo-documentary on the process of casting of a Broadway show. (My editorial is it's hardly that either!)

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 2:12am

Austin hasn't been on Broadway yet. He's a very talented guy who has worked very hard. And, I went to high school with him, so I'll be cheering for him. When we did Grease in high school, I was Doody and he was Teen Angel.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 2:25am

I bet you were Doody.....

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 2:32am

!!!! What's that supposed to mean?

:P

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 3:44am

[teh_pretty]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 7:54am

"they can do 8 shows a week, while some can't."

Isn't that one of the best reasons to cast somebody - they can perform the allotted number of shows? If somebody can't do that, equity or not, they shouldn't be cast. That's what performing is about.

[Horton]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 8:24am

Let me ask this, what is happening to the rejects: are they being put in ensamble roles or supporting roles, or are those going to be filled with people who actually have lots of talents.

[EganFan2]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 11:37am

I don't get the point of this show, other than to ride the coattails of American Idol.

I also think that to be on Broadway, you have to be more than a talented amateur, because you have to give your best 8 times a week. If you don't have voice or dance training (other than "Grease Academy" stuff) then I think you'll have a hard time keeping up with the rigors of it.

[TTL]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 11:50am

In general let alone Equity or not... some hopefuls out there who wish to perform on Broadway spend thousands of dollars towards a college education majoring in Acting, Musical Theatre, and or Dance. So I feel on a college student's level it's disconcerting about all this when selected people all over the country are in training for a job hopefully on the Broadway Stage. But I just have to keep reminding myself, no.1 the show is Grease... and reality tv shows are apparently in these days. I just wish the best to Kathleen Marshall and the creative staff of the production!! I'm sure she'll do well with whatever she has.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 1/15/07 at 11:53am

It is totaly fair, didn't Taylor Hicks already have a CD out before AI?