Broadway stars in movies/on TV/Online

[jo]

Given the absence of live productions on stage, a few musical theatre actors/actresses have started doing filmed entertainment projects. Although some have done previous work in movies and TV, they are more famous as Broadway performers.

In this one, Aaron Tveit ( Enjolras in film adaptation of Les Miserables; currently in suspended Moulin Rouge Broadway production) and Laura Osnes are in a romcom featuring some songs.




Not too sure how natural it sounds when one hears a fine soprano singing a song on a romcom. Aaron has aged but his voice sounds natural in filmed musicals. I saw him last on Broadway in Moulin Rouge.

Jo

[jo]

I honestly think Aaron Tveit is more appealing in filmed musicals compared to musical theatre. I was very pleasantly surprised with his portrayal of Enjolras, embuing it with strong credibility as the leader of the group, despite that it did not go along with the description of the god-like Apollo-like Enjolras in Hugo's book. However, I have been disappointed with his live performances in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and MOULIN ROUGE. He looks better with more dramatic material. He sang the role of Philip in the first workshop of The Greatest Showman - I wonder why he was not in the running for the film role? Was it because Zac was more of a known star with box office appeal in musicals ( although I thought Zac did justice to the Philip role)?

Jo

[mamaleh]

Aaron Tveit has never appealed to me, though I thought he was competent in NEXT TO NORMAL and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. Other Broadway stalwarts are also finding work on TV. Corey Cott, whom I admired in BANDSTAND; and Aaron Lazar, another favorite whom I’ve seen in numerous shows such as A TALE OF TWO CITIES, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and the revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, are both costarring in a new TV series, “Filthy Rich.” Danny Burstein (THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, SOUTH PACIFIC revival, MOULIN ROUGE!) pops up regularly on various TV procedural dramas and as a voice artist. But most Broadway players are not so lucky and are out of work, unfortunately.

Ellen

[hughmanity]

I remember critics were not kind to Tveit when he appeared in GREASE LIVE on television. The consensus was he did not have the necessary charisma or appeal to make people even momentarily forget about Travolta.

[jo]

In this radio podcast ( less than 20 minutes), there is discussion on the plight of those in the NY entertainment industry( particularly Broadway) who have been affected by the pandemic. There is also discussion on the ongoing rift between Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA on the nature of filmed productions which have been streamed.

www.wnyc.org/story/broadway-shuttered-until-may-2021/?fbclid=IwAR2tDsaTJ3j66Om4UDsRyeTGu8I1ZFISopaguWMqraQYu8X0MmWtSE0MQI8

If I know Hugh, maybe part of his continuing commitment to the revival of The Music Man --
is to give some hope that shows will be back, in a successful way, and that Broadway may again regain its luster and that the people involved in the whole industry can feel that eventually they can regain their artistic inspiration and livelihood!

Jo

[jo]

Here's an interesting long update on Mandy Patinkin, who was a major Broadway star especially in musical theatre. He's even got his own YouTube channel --


www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/mandy-patinkin-is-still-singing

[chessie]

This Friday, November 27, PBS is airing a Lea Salonga concert filmed at the Sydney Opera House. She's wonderful - should be a real treat.

Carol