CRJ...An Unlikely Inspiration

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be writing the next sentence you are about to read, I would have told you that you were crazy, insane, totally off your rocker...

Well... here it is. The inspiration for this latest blog post is none other than pop songstress Carly Rae Jepsen, (who from here on in will be refered to as CRJ). That's right the one and only CRJ, who's song Call Me Maybe, made her an international pop sensation. Before I go on, let me preface what I'm about to write by telling you this; I don't know CRJ, nor do I have any real affection for her in any which way. Like most of you, I know her from her pop career, that is all.

Carly Rae Jepsen soon to be making her Broadway Debut

When I turned on my computer this morning, I of course went to my facebook page to see the latest postings and news of the day. Imagine my surprise when I read various posts that CRJ was to assume the role of Cinderella on Broadway.  Now my immediate reaction was not one of disdain, nor did I jump to any conclusions whatsoever. Rather, my first thought was "Great, another Canadian on Broadway!" Now it comes as no surprise that people from the musical theatre community were very split on this casting decision.  In fact, some were down right mad and insulted by it.  I do understand this, and in fact, used to get up in arms about many casting decisions myself.  People of the theatre train, and work very hard to do what we do, and feel protective of the art form. I get that, and respect that. Many felt that the role would be much better served by someone who is not from the pop music world, and that many aspiring ingenues had been short changed by this decision. Many people chimed in with "Thank God I saw Laura Osnes in the role", implying that they were certain that CRJ is undeserving and would not measure up. (Here's a little known fact that many don't realize...Tony nominated, Drama Desk Award winning actor Laura Osnes, first gained notoriety when she was plucked from a reality television series to play the role of Sandi in "Grease" on Broadway. That's right people, Laura Osnes is a product of stunt casting.  Does that make her any less talented...I don't think so).
 Now, if we are being totally honest, the musical theatre community has always been a judgemental one. It's also very easy to jump on the "I hate stunt casting" bandwagon  when it's not our millions of dollars that are being invested to produce these mega shows. However, if I were to put myself in the producers shoes, would I go with the unknown ingenue, who in all likelihood, will not sell tickets to a show whose box office is already suffering, or do I go with the sure thing, the mega star, who for better or for worse, will keep the show open, insuring employment for a whole company of actors, musicians, stage managers, and crew. If I were the "Money" behind the project, the answer would most certainly be the latter of the two choices. ( Coincidentally, CRJ graduated from a theatre school that has produced some pretty wonderful artists...that's right people, CRJ went to theatre school.)

Now, these feelings of resentment are certainly not exclusive to CRJ. In fact I remember not to long ago  that many people were very upset that Ann Hathaway had been cast as Fantine in the film version of Les Miserable. "How could they cast a film actor as Fantine, this clearly is a travesty, a sin of the highest magnitude, this is Les Miserable after all, the holy grail of musicals" When given a sneak peak of her singing "I Dreamed a Dream", many were outraged that she did not have the vocal chops of say a Louise Pitre or Patti Lupone. To be honest, I really loved how she interpreted the song for film. It was honest, raw, and heart wrenching. I'd much rather she make her own choices, than try to imitate and be something that she's not. Obviously, others felt the same, and she went on to win an Oscar. Now in the case of Les Miserables,  the cost of filming something like this far exceeds putting it up on the stage. Like it or not, of course they are going to go with a bankable star. (Or in the case of this musical, star's)

Ann Hathaway as Fantine in the film version of Les Miserable

Most recently, people became down right incensed because Carrie Underwood was to assume the role of Maria from The Sound of Music, for a live television taping. Now collectively, most felt the project was a failure artistically and that she did not do justice to the role made famous by Julie Andrews. But the fact remains, that from a network stand point, this was a huge success, and whether you like it or not, it's a win for theatre as well. Given the fact that her fan base is huge, she managed to introduce countless people to musical theatre who may now pay money to see a live performance.
  Speaking of The Sound of Music, most all of you know, I was in a huge production here in Toronto, who's leading lady was a product of a reality television show. What most of you probably don't know is that because of this reality show, the pre sales for The Sound of Music surpassed those of The Lion King. Now you tell me, when putting up a show that has a start up cost of eleven million dollars, why would you not go this route. It should be noted that many in the theatre community expressed major doubt whether the winner of "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" had the tools to carry a show of this magnitude and some seemed down right hopeful that she would fail.  Well...she hit it out of the park, won a Dora, and continues to work to this day.
It's time we stop pretending that stunt casting is a new phenomenom.  Maybe in the form of reality television casting it's new, but if we are being truthful, it's been around for as long as I can remember. For example, Donny Osmond in Joseph, Paul Stanley from Kiss as the Phantom, Diane Carroll as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard...The list is endless, and it's because of stars such as this, many of these shows stayed open for far longer than they would have otherwise. Make no mistake, the people coming to Joseph were there to see Donny Osmond first, and Joseph a distant second. He was the reason the show ran as long as it did, made the money it did, and employed many, many people for a very long time. Even when talking of medium sized dinner theatre, stunt casting has been the norm for a very long time. Look at Stage West for example, they built that company on bringing in sitcom actors from the seventies on, to star in their productions. It was a gimmick and it worked. To this day I maintain that "Bell Bottom Fever starring Billy Huffsey from Fame" was by far,  the worst shows as far as the book was concerned, that I ever did. But the music and dancing were great, the audience loved it, and it employed me for six months.
Instead of jumping on the "I can't believe they cast CRJ as Cinderella" band wagon, maybe we can give her the benefit of the doubt that maybe, just maybe, she might do a great job, bring in a new audience to see live theatre, who otherwise might not have any interest, and more than likely keep a wonderful show open that employs many people, for a few months longer. (I believe at present Cinderella's box office is at fifty three percent.) Not to mention she's Canadian! That alone deserves our support.
 It seems to me, that there also seems to be a bit of a double standard going on. I truly believe, that if the tables were turned and "one of our own" from the theatre were to become a huge pop sensation, I can say with much confidence that we'd all have no problem in celebrating that success. When a star of the theatre crosses over in to film or television we seem to take great collective pride in that accomplishment, and rightfully so. So why is it, that we become so territorial when it comes to the reverse? Not just with pop stars, but with film actors too. Have we become that insecure that we are unable to welcome a fellow artist from another area, in to our world. It's my understanding that the writers of "Book of Mormon" were the recipients of the same cold shoulder when they were making their first foray in to the Broadway scene...and we all know how that story goes.

Denis O'Hare
Tony Award Winning actor who's also enjoyed major success in film and television. Also, one of the kindest, most humble, generous actors I ever had the pleasure of working with.

In general, I think that as an artistic community, we need to start supporting our colleagues be it actors, directors, choreographers, designers, whomever, and perhaps
start being just a little more generous when it comes to judgement of work that has yet to be realized. As I said, I too have been guilty of this type of judgement, mostly in my younger days, and sometimes I felt my suspicions were correct. But more often than not, in witnessing the end product, I was proven wrong. Now when I feel that casting may be questionable, I always give the benefit of the doubt and instead become curious of a vision that differs from my own.
Up to this point, the artists I've been referencing in this post are obviously very famous. But we tend to be like this with the not so famous, every day working artist also. We need to stop assuming that just because someone was maybe a dancer first, that there is no concievable way that this person could ever direct a straight play, or that just because someone was a musical theatre actor first, there is no chance that this person could ever become a classical actor, or that someone who is amazing on film couldn't possibly be stage worthy. It's wrong and just limits us as a whole. Let's face it, we already have too many people deciding what we can or can't do. It seems to me that when we do it to each other, we are creating an even greater travesty when it comes to artistic growth and the business of theatre.
So how about this, whether you agree or disagree, why not throw some support your colleague's way. Instead of being judgemental, become curious. Instead of being resentful, become supportive. If something doesn't resonate with you, be open enough to discover why it does with others.  In the long run it will just make our community stronger, more united, and dare I say make all of us more successful both as artists and human beings. One of the most inspiring artists I've ever come across is Multi Media Artist, Phil Hansen. He has a wonderful Ted Talk entitled "Embrace The Shake" in which he states "We first need to be limited, in order to become limitless." What a wonderful philosophy! I encourage all of you to go to youtube and watch his Ted Talk.  He's gifted, generous, and awe inspiring.

Remember this...nobody gets through life unscathed, everyone is fighting a battle, and when it comes to art and artists, there's room for everybody.

Sincerely Yours Stephen Scott Findlay
A.K.A. The Oldest Male Chorus Dancer in Toronto

                                                                                     Stephen Findlay