ABC Hails Bailey
ABC Hails Bailey
BroadwayBen
Broadway Star Joined: 6/5/03
#1ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 10:57am
#2re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:01am
Elysa Gardner, a music and theater reporter for USA Today, is equally confident in Hanks' ability and said that finding Broadway performers by way of reality television may soon become more common.
"People understand that reality television is part of reality now," said Gardner.
This sickens me.
#2re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:03am
i have said this on this board countless times... the methods may not be desirable...
but it brings new audiences to the broadway theaters... this is fact! So if thats the case then I will take that, because that just keeps theatre alive.
#3re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:08am
"You had big pumps to fill," said Mitchell, referring to the classic patent leather pink heels Hanks wears for much of the show, "but you did it."
um- isn't Mitchell referring to replacing LBB, and not referring to the wearing of actual shoes here? Or am I the only one who finds this sentence odd?
...and I don't think it's so much "ABC Hails Bailey" as "ABC Entertainment Article Quoting Other People Who Hail Bailey"- I was expecting an actual abcnews.com review of the show here.
Updated On: 7/25/08 at 11:08 AM
FranzRelax
Leading Actor Joined: 8/4/07
#4re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:13amAbc News wouldn't just write a review for the show. The producers of the show have to invite the critics and press back for re-reviews. But I am not sure if they will be doing that.
We serve their food,
We carve their meat,
We tend to their house,
We polish their
Silverware.
#6re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:17am
I'm sorry, but I just don't see why people have a problem with this particular show. I mean, I really disliked Legally Blonde after watching the MTV recording, but this show and Bailey entinced me to to ALMOST see it. 
The reality show was entertainment, but they didn't throw random people in just to make a show. All of the girls had talent in one way or another. And a casting director made the final decision. What is wrong in bringing Broadway into people's living rooms weekly?
The show had plenty of people that had experience and multiple auditions (Autumn), but Bailey happened to fit what they were looking for. I'm really not sure why this is so different than many other actors in other shows. Other shows have open calls. Everyone has to have a first break; some are luckier than others. Most of the time it is based on a person's appearance and personality... What is so shocking about the way that this was done, other than they now have a star with no credits to her name that is drawing an audience?
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#7re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:21am
"Or am I the only one who finds this sentence odd?"
I don't think they literally meant she had big pumps to fill, but that sentence was odd.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#8re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:22amAnekela, I found that odd also. I think the person who wrote the piece didn't understand what Mr. Mitchell meant.
Just give the world Love.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#9re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:25am
"'People understand that reality television is part of reality now,' said Gardner."
Doesn't that seem kind of redundant?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#10re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:27amNot to mention apathetic, stupid, insulting, and hopefully untrue.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#11re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:31am
I have no problem with them casting a replacement via a reality show in which the Director, Producers, and Writer(s) choose the actor.
It's mind-numbingly entertaining for those of us who actually know a thing or two about theatre. It DOES bring a new and younger audience to theatre.
I do have a problem with a reality show casting its leads by allowing the American public to decide. (Grease)
"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~
#12re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:33amI wish there could be a middle ground between giving unknown talent a chance, and a reality show...
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
FranzRelax
Leading Actor Joined: 8/4/07
#13re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:33amI agree with everything TheaterBaby said.
We serve their food,
We carve their meat,
We tend to their house,
We polish their
Silverware.
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#14re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 11:53am
hermionejuliet I agree with you and I agree with TheatreBaby.
My one qualm is when they allow people to vote the winners. I understand that as of right now on Broadway there have been two different reality shows. One where they choose the winners and one where they give the viewers of the show the chance to vote for who they want.
I feel like I can say that the reality show casting format will stay. It gets people to buy tickets and branches out to people who most likely wouldn't normally go on their own.
I know that there are a lot of people who wouldn't normally set foot inside a broadway theatre for so many reasons. However, It wouldn't surprise me to hear that the same people who wouldn't set foot in a Broadway theatre might change their minds after seeing the reality show. (This goes for both Grease and Legally Blonde.)
I know a lot of people (producers included) want to get more people to go to the theatre who don't normally go. I feel that if you can find a way to make it appealing to them then they would want to go. The reality show concept does that.
And, I think that the reason why a lot of people got up in arms when they announced that Grease was going to be cast via a reality show was because a lot of people thought that A they didn't want to see a Broadway show cast via a reality vote in show. And B, America needs another reality show to fuss over just like they need another hole in their heads. However, I find it interesting that in London when this happens for a new show that they are casting no one over there seems to get as up in arms as they do when the reality casting show is happening for a Broadway show. I think that this is because no country is obsessed with reality shows like America is. There were even people who didn't buy tickets to see Grease after the reality show who just watched the reality show for the sake of it being a new show they could vote in on. I find that fact something that makes me sick.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
Chance
Broadway Star Joined: 7/16/08
#15re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 12:13pm
I have no problem with them casting a replacement via a reality show in which the Director, Producers, and Writer(s) choose the actor.
umm the director and producers DIDN"T choose the actor. A casting agent, the person that wrote the lackluster book and a CHORUS BOY chose the actor.
Updated On: 7/25/08 at 12:13 PM
TooDarnHot
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/7/08
#16re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 12:19pm
"All of the girls had talent in one way or another."
REALLY?? TALENT?? I MISSED THAT PART.
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#19re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 12:22pm
I honestly don't mind if Broadway turns into something like Las Vegas. It's what's becoming the reality anyway and I like mind-numbing entertainment. I hated LEGALLY BLONDE but since the reality show I really want to see it again because I am a complete consumer whore and I have found that Broadway is just the place for me. Thank God for shows like this because it brings in a younger audience that's just like me!
So what do you think the next Disney show will be? I'm dying to know!
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
Updated On: 7/25/08 at 12:22 PM
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#20re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 12:24pmI wish Bailey the best, but one night does not a career make. If she can handle 8 shows a week for a couple of months, she will have proven herself. And I still think that - as pointed out on one of the other 900 threads about this - the only talent pool the director/producers/casting agent/writer(?)/chorus boy had to choose from was the pool of people who feel that a reality show is a legitimate way to obtain a Broadway role. No matter how far she goes, Bailey will always be tagged as the reality show winner. Still comes with a paycheck, but never goes away.
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#22re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 12:57pm
I will say though, have you guys seen "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" BBC
That girl Connie is a dead-on Maria Von-Trap
I wouldn't be surprised if that show makes it's way here soon. BBC has already cast their Maria through it, and now Canada is doing the same.
And thank you, LePetiteFromage. You're correct. I was not referring to LB. They just happened to be heading more in the direction of how it should be than Grease did (is all I meant).
"It's the little things; the details, that distinguish the Barbra Streisands from the Rosalyn Kinds."~Gilmore Girls~
That Girl
Chorus Member Joined: 7/9/08
#23re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 1:04pmI was disappointed in the article. I thought it was going to be an actual review of the show and it wasn't. I have nothing against reality TV. I actually watched legally blond on MTV and loved it. I wasn't at all impressed with Bailey-but who knows maybe she will improve enough to be good in the role. I don't think Bailey was picked because she was the best performer, but because she is a great marketing tool for the show. The article talks about the fact that she is a Preacher's daughter who had never been on a plane or to a Broadway show before and now she is starring on Broadway-how many times do you think we are going to hear that story? She's also very cute and a lot of people will see her as Elle even when she is off stage. I wish her the best and hope she takes every possible advantage that she can with the amazing opportunity she has been given.
degrassifan
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
#24re: ABC Hails Bailey
Posted: 7/25/08 at 1:50pm
"I will say though, have you guys seen "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" BBC
That girl Connie is a dead-on Maria Von-Trap
I wouldn't be surprised if that show makes it's way here soon. BBC has already cast their Maria through it, and now Canada is doing the same."
This show was the one that started it all. I followed it, and they had AMAZING girls auditioning for Maria. I haven't seen this version of the musical, but listening to the cast recording and watching clips of it, Connie Fisher was a dead-on Maria. She got great reviews, and the show is still going strong.
