Good for her for going by her beliefs, but turning down a steady gig like AVENUE Q is a remarkably dumb move. In my opinion.
In my opinion, turning down a Broadway role is a remarkably dumb move. Hope this doesn't hurt her in the future. I have to agree with you Mr. E!
I can understand why she turned it down. She is very religious and the show deals with such topics as homosexuality, sex and pornography. This show does not fit her beliefs.
Not dumb, which as MrE should know means without speech, but a person of conviction.
Good for her for going by her beliefs, but turning down a steady gig like AVENUE Q is a remarkably dumb move. In my opinion.
In my opinion, turning down a Broadway role is a remarkably dumb move. Hope this doesn't hurt her in the future. I have to agree with you Mr. E!
I can understand why she turned it down. She is very religious and the show deals with such topics as homosexuality, sex and pornography. This show does not fit her beliefs.
Not dumb, which as MrE should know means without speech, but a person of conviction.
In my opinion, unfortunately, conviction can cost you. When your an actress, you have to separate yourself from the role. It's part of the job. Diana Ross played the role of Billy Holiday who was a heroine addict. She played it brilliantly! It's no reflection on you personally when you are performing these roles. If she can't do that, she's in the wrong line of work. You have to be willing to step outside yourself. Actors do it everyday!
I don't think you can really compare Diana Rosee playing Billy Holiday, a musical legend, to Laura playing Kate Monster.. It's two entirely different things.
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
I don't think you can really compare Diana Rosee playing Billy Holiday, a musical legend, to Laura playing Kate Monster.. It's two entirely different things.
There are only so many sweet Disney roles out there.
Yes, you are right, especially on Broadway! You don't want to spend your life acting at theme parks! I guess it's a hard call for an actress. How do you determine when a role crosses the line?
Just recently Ann Hathaway turned down the lead role in "Knocked Up" I read that she had the same convictions and didn't like the content so Catherine Heigel took the job and rocketed to Hollywood stardom. Heigel already has a plum role on "Greys Anatomy". I am relating from a TV show Entertainment Tonight.
Just recently Ann Hathaway turned down the lead role in "Knocked Up" I read that she had the same convictions and didn't like the content so Catherine Heigel took the job and rocketed to Hollywood stardom. Heigel already has a plum role on "Greys Anatomy". I am relating from a TV show Entertainment Tonight.
That is quite interesting, because in "The Devil Wears Prada," Anne Hathaway lived with her boyfriend, and then had a one-night stand in Paris with a co-worker! lol
Just recently Ann Hathaway turned down the lead role in "Knocked Up" I read that she had the same convictions and didn't like the content so Catherine Heigel took the job and rocketed to Hollywood stardom. Heigel already has a plum role on "Greys Anatomy". I am relating from a TV show Entertainment Tonight.
That is interesting! I guess it's an individual decision that can come at a cost!
Good for her for going by her beliefs, but turning down a steady gig like AVENUE Q is a remarkably dumb move. In my opinion.
When I first read the article I was really happy to know that Laura was receiving offers and being careful about the next move in her career. I thought it was really ballsy to turn down a steady gig because she was going to stay true to herself. I respect that Laura has standards that will limit the opportunities she can take advantage of in her career.
My question MrE111, or to anyone else in the know, is this going to hurt her career? Mr. E, did you think it was a dumb move because she wasn't going to have a steady gig and risk being out of the spotlight or is also because you think TPTB will tag her as a bit of a religious freak and think she is unreasonable?
Good for her for going by her beliefs, but turning down a steady gig like AVENUE Q is a remarkably dumb move. In my opinion.
When I first read the article I was really happy to know that Laura was receiving offers and being careful about the next move in her career. I thought it was really ballsy to turn down a steady gig because she was going to stay true to herself. I respect that Laura has standards that will limit the opportunities she can take advantage of in her career.
My question MrE111, or to anyone else in the know, is this going to hurt her career? Mr. E, did you think it was a dumb move because she wasn't going to have a steady gig and risk being out of the spotlight or is also because you think TPTB will tag her as a bit of a religious freak and think she is unreasonable?
Yes, Laura is married and he's a great guy. We should all be so lucky to have someone like Nate.
Do you know what he does for a living? Sounds like you know him personally. Do you guys hang out once in a while?
I read somewhere that he was a Minister when they lived in Minneapolis. I don't know if that's true, but I know that he was working for the church they both attended when they lived there.
Yes, Laura is married and he's a great guy. We should all be so lucky to have someone like Nate.
Do you know what he does for a living? Sounds like you know him personally. Do you guys hang out once in a while?
I read somewhere that he was a Minister when they lived in Minneapolis. I don't know if that's true, but I know that he was working for the church they both attended when they lived there.
I remember Laura Mom posting that both Nate and Laura were offered roles in the "Grease Touring Show" but couldn't come to term, so I guess Nate is an actor also?
I've never read anything about what Nate has done since they lived in NY. I did read that they met when they were both actors in show-it might have been Peter Pan but I'm not sure. She did the choreography and played the lead, but I don't know what role he played.
I've never read anything about what Nate has done since they lived in NY. I did read that they met when they were both actors in show-it might have been Peter Pan but I'm not sure. She did the choreography and played the lead, but I don't know what role he played.
She was understudying Jasmine and he was understudying Aladdin. One day they both had to go on together because when the actors playing Aladdin and Jasmine collided during "One Jump" they really collided and ended up being hurt. They went on together, sparks flew, and the rest is history.
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
She was understudying Jasmine and he was understudying Aladdin. One day they both had to go on together because when the actors playing Aladdin and Jasmine collided during "One Jump" they really collided and ended up being hurt. They went on together, sparks flew, and the rest is history.
She was understudying Jasmine and he was understudying Aladdin. One day they both had to go on together because when the actors playing Aladdin and Jasmine collided during "One Jump" they really collided and ended up being hurt. They went on together, sparks flew, and the rest is history.
Anne Hathaway also has a history of appearing naked in films - Brokeback Mountain, Havoc...right as she was trying to get away from the Disney "Princess Diaries" image. She also lived with her older lover (though not much older), who was recently arrested, and now she's under investigation, as well.
But that's neither here nor there.
I respect that religion and conviction and morals and ethics play a big part in Laura's life. In New York City, people aren't offered roles on a regular basis. It's not an every day occurrence that, say, the producers of a Tony winning musical that has no plans to close any time soon, one gets an offer to play the lead role in a show like that.
Not taking Kate Monster won't ruin her career - it wasn't common knowledge before, and, quite frankly, it's still not, as that paper isn't the biggest one in the world. There are other roles out there.
But New York City is a big sea. There are thousands of people just as good as Laura, with just as much, if not more, talent. If casting agents see that she doesn't want to play risque roles, they'll just go to the next person on the list. Her agent should know not to submit her for roles she doesn't want to play. It also takes out a lot of opportunities, cause, as someone already said, Disney roles are few and far between.
Personally, a job's a job. Money's money. I'd have taken it if I were her.
My question is, why would she audition if she didn't want to do it? And if she was offered the part blindly, then turning it down...
It is neither here nor there but Tom Seleck turned down the part of "Indiana Jones", a decision I am sure he would change if he could.
Okay, this is the second time this has happened to me in two days. I write a post and when I click "submit" nothing's there.
Back to repiecing what I'd said:
Tom Selleck didn't turn down the role of Indiana Jones because he didn't want it. He had all but signed the contract to star in the film when CBS decided to pick up Magnum PI. Selleck had signed a contract and had no choice but to walk away from the film. He went on to spend eight years playing Thomas Magnum in Hawaii. Not too a shabby job.
Having seen Selleck's screen test opposite Sean Young I don't think the film would have been the hit it was with Ford. I like Selleck and grew up watching Magnum but Harrison Ford is what made that film. He just has this special "it factor" that Selleck lacks.
Would he go back in time and not sign that contract with CBS if he could? Perhaps. Though having a television show run for eight years is something a lot of actors never have.
This also happened to Pierce Bronsnan. He was slated to step into the role of James Bond after Roger Moore left but because of a series commitment for Remmington Steele. The role went to Timothy Daulton. Hugh Laurie was set to play Perry White in Superman Returns but his House MD schedule kept him out of the film.
-- Edited by Eris at 18:05, 2008-08-06
__________________
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
"He took in the smell of the ballpark, he smiled. He loved the ballpark, there were smells there that couldn't be found anywhere else."
Laura's religiousness is part of makes Laura Laura. She has to be true to herrself. Although I would make a different choice in that situation, I have to respect and support her.
Laura's religiousness is part of makes Laura Laura. She has to be true to herrself. Although I would make a different choice in that situation, I have to respect and support her.
I respect her decision too, even though I probably wouldn't have made the same decision for myself. I don't think she will ever regret her decision I just hope she doesn't get punished because of it. I'm definitely not an insider so I don't know how these things work, but it seems fair to me that an actor should be able to turn down a part because they wouldn't be comfortable playing the role. I don't see Laura as someone who wears her religion on her sleeve but obviously she has strong convictions and I really respect that.
Can't resist a comment on this topic. When you have a strong faith in God you want your life choices to honor God. Sometimes that means making a choice that most of the general public will not understand and you may even know that you might suffer certain repurcussions from that choice. But faith believes that God will honor that choice and his opinion matters more than the rest of the world. And that is what Laura believes. It is hard to make any legitimate argument against Laura's choices. She has gotten incredibly far being Laura. And Edwardian hit the nail on the head when he said turning down the Avenue Q job is part of what makes Laura Laura. Laura is genuine. It is hard to turn completely away and criticize someone whose values also make them incredibly hard working, completely enjoyable to be around, a society leader, an incredible talent, and a genuine, passion-filled human being and friend. Faith believes that God is the one who holds the keys that open or close doors. It's contrary to every "worldy wisdom" but it's our beliefs.
Good for her for going by her beliefs, but turning down a steady gig like AVENUE Q is a remarkably dumb move. In my opinion.
In my opinion, turning down a Broadway role is a remarkably dumb move. Hope this doesn't hurt her in the future. I have to agree with you Mr. E!
I can understand why she turned it down. She is very religious and the show deals with such topics as homosexuality, sex and pornography. This show does not fit her beliefs.
Not dumb, which as MrE should know means without speech, but a person of conviction.
I totally admire Laura for sticking by her convictions. One has to live with themselves and going against her beliefs would never bring her happiness. I don't believe for one moment Broadway will turn against her for what she stands for.
Can't resist a comment on this topic. When you have a strong faith in God you want your life choices to honor God. Sometimes that means making a choice that most of the general public will not understand and you may even know that you might suffer certain repurcussions from that choice. But faith believes that God will honor that choice and his opinion matters more than the rest of the world. And that is what Laura believes. It is hard to make any legitimate argument against Laura's choices. She has gotten incredibly far being Laura. And Edwardian hit the nail on the head when he said turning down the Avenue Q job is part of what makes Laura Laura. Laura is genuine. It is hard to turn completely away and criticize someone whose values also make them incredibly hard working, completely enjoyable to be around, a society leader, an incredible talent, and a genuine, passion-filled human being and friend. Faith believes that God is the one who holds the keys that open or close doors. It's contrary to every "worldy wisdom" but it's our beliefs.
Hi Laura's mom! Thanks for your input. One of the things that I really admired about Laura during the Grease YTOTIW show was she was so hard working and so open to criticism, and of course her beautiful voice. You have raised a really strong girl. When the Judges were hard on her she would just nod her head and use what they had said to make her a better performer. When David said he was afraid that Laura would get eaten for lunch it was obvious he didn't know her very well. lol Laura seems to have her priorities straight and I think it is her inner strength that will take her far. I really respect when someone is willing to give up a fantastic opportunity rather than compromise their values. I can't wait to hear about her next project.
I think too of Laura's early experience on the Grease show and David Ian's certainty that Laura would get eaten for breakfast by the Broadway world and the world at large. Truly, it's no mystery to me why he said that. Laura IS innocent, in fact somewhat comically she so's innocent she doesn't even know how to NOT LOOK so innocent! But her inner strength and passion is just amazing. It's a combination of character traits that just don't usually go together. In my opinion, even David Ian came to highly respect Laura as his last words of advice to her and Max were, "Stay who you are. This is what America wanted and voted for. Stay who you are." What a transformation of opinion on his part!
I had never heard of Avenue Q, so I went right to the source of all knowledge...youtube. It's hilarious! I haven't seen anything so funny in ages, if ever. I can't quite imagine Laura in the theater, much less playing Kate.
Favorite of favorites....Is there anybody here it doesn't suck to be?