From American Idol to Spring Awakening?

[Lauren_T]

Posted: 2/21/08 at 8:22pm

sooo how long until the kicked off young American Idol contestants appear in Spring Awakening? lol I just see them all ending up there very soon. Actually Kevin Covais (sp?) aka "Chicken Little" from a few seasons back was seen at SA auditions a few months back. It seems Idol has a thing with passing people onto Broadway.

[jake6970]

Posted: 2/21/08 at 8:23pm

Kevin Covais was at the final callbacks for Ernst, but I think by not getting it it's a hint that it doesn't matter to the casting people. It's true that they've been casting a lot of TV people lately, but it's not stunt casting in any way.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/21/08 at 8:29pm

I hope the SA producers will not make the same mistakes.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 2/21/08 at 8:30pm

But for SA, the singer actually needs to act. Act well.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/21/08 at 8:33pm

"the singer actually needs to act. Act well."

I've seen Spring Awakening. That is completely untrue.

[dominique]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 11:12am

Clearly the former AI contestants should be able to try out like anyone else, and be judged on their merits like anyone else. They shouldn't be stigmatized because they appeared on the show. American Idol is contrived and cheesy, but truly talented people sometimes emerge into public awareness as a result of the process.

It wouldn't be stunt casting of course, most of the contestants are not celebrities simply because they appeared on the show. People like Fantasia or Clay, for instance, who have a large fan following, and have achieved some success in the marketplace, can bring new audiences (i.e., money) to a show, but that would only apply to a very few AI alumni who have achieved some degree of stardom after they leave the show.

Frenchie Davis, for one, I wouldn't call stunt casting because she was not a star, she had only been known to the public for 15 minutes, I assume she got the part in Rent because of her talents. Of course being on AI probably gave her a slight edge, some visibility but I don't think she could automatically attract a boatload of fans to buy tickets, though maybe to some degree she could.

I think my point is probably that I hope people won't hold it against some talented young people because they appeared on a cheesy and manipulative show like AI. People will do anything to get a foot on the ladder, and a few of them are probably suited for Broadway, those who can do more than just sing. Though I certainly understand the skepticism.


Updated On: 2/22/08 at 11:12 AM

[Pinaud]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 12:11pm

Dominique,
Sometimes truly talented people do emerge from reality shows, but to not call it stunt casting is absurd. Just because they are not A-B or C list stars doesn't mean that they are not stunt casting.

Two definitions for stunt:

1) to hinder the normal growth, development, or progress of

2)an unusual or difficult feat, one performed or undertaken chiefly to gain attention or publicity

Sooooo many reality show people come in front of the casting table, and once there they DO have to prove themselves. But, they never would have gotten there had it not been for their respective reality shows. And I have been in the room for conversations that have weighed in on whether to choose a great non-reality based performer, versus a good(or even just ok) performer because the marketing people can piggyback on the success of the reality show brand.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 12:15pm

I personally hope Sanjaya lands Melchior once Groff makes the move.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 12:18pm

How about the old guy auditioner (Mr. "No Sex Allowed") from this year as the Adult Men?

[snl89]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 12:31pm

You know, it's kind of funny. Thinking about past American Idol contestants, I really can't think of anyone who would actually be GOOD in Spring Awakening. But does anyone remember American Juniors? Over all American Juniors was kind of silly and not good, BUT. There was this incredible girl, Danielle White, who I think would make an AMAZING Wendla. I'm not sure how old she is now- I'm pretty sure she's still only like 16 so she's a little too young for Wendla right now- but in a few years, she'd really be just brilliant- assuming she can act, that is :) She would also make a great Ilse!

video of her recently:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=las9CTFZ7ec

her on American Juniors:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-tuL6vlmIXs&feature=related

Updated On: 2/22/08 at 12:31 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 12:37pm

Wow. Even if the piano kind of overpowered her on the newer clip (at least with my speakers it was WAY louder than her), she's good. And definitely better than the Juniors contestant who they showed that auditioned for this season on AI.

[dominique]

Posted: 2/22/08 at 10:33pm

Pinaud, sorry, I probably wasn't clear. I think that Clay and Fantasia were definitely stunt casting. But some contestants who were on the show a short while and haven't built up a following or a fan base, I wouldn't call them stunt casting because I don't think they could bring people in droves to the show.

Maybe I'm not clear what stunt casting is. And you know what, it doesn't even matter. I see your point, people who've been on a reality show, even for a brief time, have gotten huge exposure and they have a definite advantage. I wasn't sure it would be called stunt casting in that case though.

[MassiveMeGo]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 4:23am

"It seems Idol has a thing with passing people onto Broadway."

AI has nothing to do with them getting on Broadway other than the fact that a casting director saw them and liked what they saw/heard. Other contestants auditioned or were invited to audition and didn't make it, so there must be talent to go with the exposure or its not going to happen. AI is a grueling 3 month long trial. If they get to the finals, they passed one hell of an audition.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 8:38am

The only thing I have to say about it is that so far, the producers have really done a great job with replacements. While I am not a FAN of AI, that shouldn't preclude a particpant from getting a b'way role: if they are right for it.

As far as 'stunt' casting, I think (hope) SA is years away from having to resort to that.

They already run their auditions like a reality show minus the cameras by going all over the country and entertaining gads of inexperienced, non equity actors/actresses.

GREASE was TOTALLY gimmick casting. Getting America to be fans of the actors before they even had the parts was genius. How else could that sham of a show be making money? Genius, I tell ya. (Sadly, Grease is all about the money.)

[dominique]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 10:42am

I admit I enjoyed that Grease tv show, and I loved Max, the one who won the male lead. I wish I could get to NY to see him. He's talented. Maybe he'll show that over time, and move beyond the gimmicky way he got the role.

[dominique]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 10:43am

- repeat -

Updated On: 2/23/08 at 10:43 AM

[bethyd]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 11:17am

Wow, you've read my mind. I've thought for a while now that Danielle White would be great in Spring Awakening. She only just turned 16, so she'll have to wait a few years to play Wendla. But for now, she'd be a perfect Ilse! She's one of the most naturally talented individuals to come out of the Idol franchise, Jr or not.