Another Reason To Love NY
Omigod you guys... after last night I have SO much to write about, I may need to do it in installments. First, I had another seminar – that will be another post – then I went to a Notables event at Carnegie Hall with a friend. The event description was (paraphrasing): "Revival: Broadway’s Next Act. A Very Special Panel hosted by Ana Gasteyer, with Duncan Sheik, Anthony Rapp, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jerry Mitchell, and Adam Shankman. Afterparty sponsored by Heavy Water Vodka at The Russian Tea Room."
What I read was: “Blah blah blah blah blah VODKA SPONSORED AFTERPARTY IN THE RUSSIAN TEA ROOM.”
Sold!
Turns out, this was sort of a panel discussion about Broadway – where it is now and where it is going – with the folks who are shaping it right now. True, I am not a musical theatre actor, but listening to these people – all funny and relaxed and easy going – talk about their work… I should have brought a voice recorder or something. I tried so hard to concentrate on the things that really grabbed me but instead all I remember is telling myself to try and remember the things that grab me.
Sorry guys.
The highlights were Anthony Rapp, Duncan Sheik and Lin-Manuel Miranda performing pieces they’d written that aren’t in any show that’s out yet (though DS also did a piece from Spring Awakening along with an original song). Also interesting:
- Ana Gasteyer talked about getting to Broadway – her life-long dream – through the odd back door of SNL and how it helped her get auditions, but would get passed over because people worried that a film/TV actress didn’t have the voice for 8 shows a week.
- Anthony Rapp discussed feeling pigeon-holed somewhat by Rent’s enormous success and visibility – but explained he would rather occasionally get turned down because of it, than to have lived without such a life-changing and deeply meaningful experience.
- Jerry Mitchell explained his true love of the character Elle in his show and his passion to bring to the stage a role model for young girls who values education and self-reliance instead of just being cute and “shaking their junk”.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda spoke about his show being musically different from most others, and how that effects their communication with the audience (I realized later that I saw him a few years ago in Freestyle Love Supreme – such an incredible, unique group!)
- Duncan Sheik pointed out that decades ago, the music on the radio was the music from Broadway, and he thinks we might be heading back in that direction.
- And Adam Shankman talked… a lot and very excitedly so.
They all agreed that every artist must evolve. Which was great for me to hear because more and more I feel like I see so few things that get me excited– and I worried I was just losing interest. But it's just that you become pickier; you want to feel strongly about what you're doing – you aren't accepting gigs because, "Hey, i's a gig", but because it means something to you or advances you somehow.
There was more – a lot more. Hopefully once I continue to shake of the vodka drinks and rich canapes from the afterparty, I'll be able to remember more and share it with you in a coherent fashion.
Sounds like it was a great panel - I should really start going to things like that more often.
Cute picture of you. :)
Posted by: Justine | October 07, 2008 at 10:54 AM