Passion in Musical Theatre - is what makes the Star
Okay, so I've mostly been posting about two reality TV shows that set out to find the leading actors for a major Broadway/West End production - and both will soon be into previews within the next few weeks... but I've been somewhat breathing and dreaming about musical theatre lately, and I just can't get these shows (and the songs) out of my head. I guess it's just something about musical theatre, and the way stories are told through song and dance, and not just acting - but acting is, of course, one of the major elements.
So, on that note... I was watching the "Finals" clips from both "Grease: You're the One That I Want" and "Any Dream Will Do" and I found myself comparing what it was I saw in both of the winning actors. In case you haven't seen these shows, here are the YouTube clips I'm looking at.
Austin Miller and Max Crumm sing "Sandy" - Casting Danny in "Grease"
Keith Jack and Lee Mead sing "Jesus Christ Superstar" - Casting Joseph
Now that you've hopefully seen both videos - if you haven't seen either of these shows, would you be able to pick the winner from this performance alone?
I was able to... and the winner in each case, IMO, seemed to bring just a bit more to his performance - making him stand out in comparision to the other.
Still not sure? Winners names here: Max Crumm as Danny and Lee Mead as Joseph
What DO these winners have in common? Well, for each one, the one that stood out for me was the one who was the most believable in the role for the song. He stayed in character throughout the song, even when the other contestant was singing. I could see bucketloads of emotion through his face and his eyes, because he was living out the song and not just acting it out. And both seem to bring an extra bit of power to the lyrics and the meaning of the words. (Not to mention they both have wonderful singing voices! Although I did find it interesting that neither winner was considered to have the strongest singing voice out of all of the other contestants in their respective competitions.)
So, now that I've used this space to "gush" about these up and coming actors (both whom I would LOVE to see perform live this Fall), I'm curious what others may think - I feel I kinda have to share here, since this is more "neutral" ground, and not a fan site for either of the winners (who might flog me for bringing up another show in their midst).
So, on that note... I was watching the "Finals" clips from both "Grease: You're the One That I Want" and "Any Dream Will Do" and I found myself comparing what it was I saw in both of the winning actors. In case you haven't seen these shows, here are the YouTube clips I'm looking at.
Austin Miller and Max Crumm sing "Sandy" - Casting Danny in "Grease"
Click to viewKeith Jack and Lee Mead sing "Jesus Christ Superstar" - Casting Joseph
Now that you've hopefully seen both videos - if you haven't seen either of these shows, would you be able to pick the winner from this performance alone?
I was able to... and the winner in each case, IMO, seemed to bring just a bit more to his performance - making him stand out in comparision to the other.
Still not sure? Winners names here: Max Crumm as Danny and Lee Mead as Joseph
What DO these winners have in common? Well, for each one, the one that stood out for me was the one who was the most believable in the role for the song. He stayed in character throughout the song, even when the other contestant was singing. I could see bucketloads of emotion through his face and his eyes, because he was living out the song and not just acting it out. And both seem to bring an extra bit of power to the lyrics and the meaning of the words. (Not to mention they both have wonderful singing voices! Although I did find it interesting that neither winner was considered to have the strongest singing voice out of all of the other contestants in their respective competitions.)
So, now that I've used this space to "gush" about these up and coming actors (both whom I would LOVE to see perform live this Fall), I'm curious what others may think - I feel I kinda have to share here, since this is more "neutral" ground, and not a fan site for either of the winners (who might flog me for bringing up another show in their midst).