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[mrseed]

They're holding auditions for Into the Woods in my area... I'm not even going to audition cause I hate the theatre, but I was talking to my boyfriend Anthony about it... The theatre wants me to play either the Baker or Jack. My boyfriend said, "I don't see you as Jack. You're too serious

Comments

[jjirish79]

I'm assuming that Anthony is not an actor. It's funny, because I also take myself too seriously & often have a harder time loosening up on stage & having fun - once I finally do though - it's great!

I don't know you all that well, but if you think you can play Jack - then - well that's ALL that matters, that and the director thinking you can too

[mrseed]

Well, it depends on the character. In one show, I played 7 characters and each of them had to be different. I played a british lawyer, a truck driver, a clothing salesman, a french emcee, an opera singer, a croupier, a nun, and an old texan. I got reviewed as an excellent emcee (that was the biggest role.)

He's mostly seen me in "serious" roles thought, but if you think about it Jack is a serious role. He's serious about getting his cow back, and does anything it takes. He's funny in his seriousness and love for his cow. Especially in the second act where he finds the dead Baker's wife and he finds out his mother is dead. Plus, I can sing the bejeezus out of Giants in the Sky.

So, after thinking about it, it really didn't matter that he said that about Jack because he is incorrect, but I did take offense that he says I'm too serious. So, now I guess I will have to try loosening up around him. Even though he's so spaztic sometimes, that I have to be the calm one.

[jjirish79]

Well that's good - it's not good to take yourself or life too seriously. And you're right, characters on stage - just like people in real life are complex and not just one thing. ESPECIALLY, in Sondheim shows.

I would kill to be in a Sondheim show - Toby in Sweeny is one of my dream roles.

[mrseed]

I would love to play Bobby in Company... that would be stretching it a bit for me. And I think I would make a great Baker in Into the Woods, but not sure if I'm old enough yet to play the role.

I think I'm ready for a role that shows off my comedic side. I played Oscar in Sweet Charity, and that was my first and last comedy role. I never saw a video of myself performing in it, so I can't gauge myself. But I was told I was funny...

[unbleachedbrun]

As actors and performers, we do, indeed, play a variety of disparate roles. That does not mean, however, that we are suited to playing every role. I, for example, have always wanted to sing Curly in _Oklahoma!_, but they always want to cast me as Judd. In another show, I should have been cast as Professor Higgins, but the theater wanted to use a husband and wife pair (she was wonderful as Eliza) and cast the husband, who got bad reviews and even a comment of him being "miscast." You may also have noticed in some of my reviews that I've comment on certain actors have skills and strengths, but not the skills and strengths required for the part. Therefore, you should not be insulted by your boyfriend's comment. Yet, if Jack is a role you really want to play, then practice and stretch yourself so that that character and personality is within your skills set. Obviously, your boyfriend (who should know you better than a casting director) does not see "Jack" in you.

[mrseed]

You're right. I've seen people miscast before. But he saw a really terrible production of Into the Woods, the one I wrote about in a past blog. I admit, I'd probably do a better job as the Baker or one of the princes. But the beauty of theatre is that my Jack will not be the same as someone else's Jack.

I'm pretty certain of my limitations. But Jack is one I think I can play. I think he's really a serious character. He just loves his cow, does anything for the cow. He's really not supposed to (in my opinion) be silly or whatever. He's only supposed to kind of be always in thought. He has a "sunny yet vague disposition."

I guess, I just took offense to his comment cause it's as if he told me I can't play him because of a "flaw" in my personality.