Legally Blonde

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
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<p>Apparently Bailey has been in intense vocal and acting rehearsals with Jerry Mitchell since the show ended in March so its obvious that they didn’t think she was Broadway caliber when she won the show.</p>

<p>I just thought it was strange how they basically told Autumn that she was overall better compared to Bailey, except for dancing, but didn’t pick her anyway. If they could devote the time and money in training Bailey to sing and act why couldn’t they have done the same for Autumn? I don’t know Autumn’s ensemble role but is it one of the very minor sorority girls?</p>

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<p>ActressToBe…</p>

<p>I think this is a good example of what casting is about. It is not merely a talent contest where the best singer/actor/dancer gets cast in a show (any show). Yes, you must have talent but then it does come down to type and who they feel fits a part the best. This is something that is essential to realize if you go into this field because it comes up a lot and you have to not take it personally as a testament to your talent.</p>

<p>On a less professional level, let me give a personal example. My D has a very close theater pal whom she met when she was nine in our region (not same town or HS) when both were one of hundreds auditioning for a musical. Both got in it and thus started a friendship that has continued into college and being roommates and being in the same MT program. They continued to do several other shows together, always be up for parts, etc. They took voice together, roomed at theater camp, etc. Then, they got to college and the same program and became closer and were roomies for two years and are still close. </p>

<p>I have to say this friend is VERY talented and has a very good chance of “making it.” She and my D are VERY different types and one would never imagine them ever being up for the same roles. They did audition against one another growing up but that was not at the same level as now when there are more talented people to pick from and they typically would not be considered for the same parts. Her friend is the total pretty ingenue and has been cast in that type of role numerous times and in fact, as leads at their college several times in such roles. We haven’t seen her play anything but this type, in fact. My D is not the ingenue ever. She doesn’t fit that type. </p>

<p>They haven’t auditioned for many of the same shows at college too much as my D has not auditioned for any CAP21 shows, for example, because she was already involved in other shows that conflicted. This girl has done a few and gotten leads. But they both auditioned for a student run show of Last Five Years and my D knew she herself didn’t truly fit the Cathy role (even though she can sing it). I mean, my D, a Jewish girl, doesn’t fit “Shiksa Goddess” (song/type if you know the show). This other girl does and got the role. My D never felt bad in the slightest as she felt her friend clearly fit the role much better and that doesn’t imply more talent but merely better fit. The other show they both auditioned for was the Tisch Mainstage Musical last year, in which hundreds are eligible to audition (and many students in the ACTING studios are very talented in MT and get cast in the musicals). Well, for the final callback, my D could NOT believe that the lead female role was narrowed down to two girls to be called back…out of all those hundreds…who was it? She and her theater pal from our rural area with whom she had been auditioning with since they were kids. Who woulda thunk it amongst all that talent at their school. But the part she could NOT believe is that the two girls are SOOOO different!! Nobody would think they would be up for the same part! But truly, my D fit the role more…it was a 12 year old Jewish girl and her friend is anything but that in real life or looks. My D was cast in the role (and the nice thing was that her pal had her own lead that year as Hope in Urinetown) and then she was in ensemble of the mainstage. They each had their “turn” for a lead. But they each know it is not a talent contest. Each girl fits different roles more than the other. One got Cathy in Last Five Years (among other roles) and one got the lead in the mainstage (among other roles), for example, and it was due, in part, to who fit those roles. Obviously, both had some talent to attain such significant roles. Casting is not ONLY about talent. </p>

<p>It is believable to me that even if Autumn is the better singer, that perhaps the casting panel wanted to pick someone who sang “good enough” (up for debate of course) but who fit the image of the part in the way that they envisioned it. It is not like the best singer wins every time in casting. That is something to keep in mind as you audition…when you are not cast, it doesn’t always mean that you are not talented enough or that the person chosen has more talent than you do.</p>

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<p>PS…I believe that Autumn is also understudying Elle, besides being in ensemble, and thus she could conceivably go on for Elle.</p>

<p>It was not a matter of giving her more dance training, for example, but more who they apparently felt fit their image of the character the best. I did not watch the TV show but have read about it and viewed clips.</p>

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<p>Let’s not forget that this show is closely tied in to MTV: they had a live broadcast of an actual show, and of course they cast for the replacement through this MTV series. I would assume that to mean that they want the MTV crowd to help boost ticket sales. Although Autumn is more talented than Bailey, Bailey is much more MTV-friendly than Autumn. </p>

<p>No doubt that Autumn has a career on Broadway ahead of her. I read a few weeks ago that she had been cast in some sort of thing called “Vote” with Andrew Keenan Bolger and some other up-and-comers. There was a link to a clip on youtube, and she had the red curly hair again…so I figured that was a pretty good sign that she didn’t win the LB competition. From what I saw, it seemed to be much more of her cup of tea.</p>

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<p>I saw Autumn in the national tour of Little Women as Beth a while back, and it was a much better role for her than playing Elle. She always seemed to be the most emotionally mature of that group of girls, and she does have wonderful voice. I am sure there are other roles waiting for her on Broadway.</p>

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<p>The good news is that she got plenty of exposure and she is, after all, cast in a Broadway show even undestudying the lead role.</p>

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<p>Soozievt, great explanation of the very strong and central role that type plays in casting.</p>

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<p>I know Ms. Hanks. She is a strong and talented young woman, but her talent is a bit raw at this point. The bottom line is she left our university and joined this reality show. She is going from a college stage as a sophomore to having to carry a show on Broadway. Any producer would be insane if they didn’t give her as much as they could prior to her opening. That isn’t an indication of her lack of ability, it is an indication of her complete lack of professional experience. Most working actor/singers continue to take classes even after they’ve worked professionally for a few years. Classes keep you sharp, add to your technique, help you develop craft. They do not give you talent. </p>

<p>I did not watch the show even though I know Bailey. I’m quite against this style of casting. That having been said. Bailey IS Elle Woods. She would drive up to our scenic studio in her pink VW bug, get out perfectly dressed, and do a really bang up job. That goes a long way in the casting process. Who is or is not “more talented” doesn’t always determine who does and doesn’t get cast. </p>

<p>I loved soozievt’s description of casting.</p>

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<p>kjgc,</p>

<p>I totally agree with you about how the production team would continue to work with whomever they cast and even more so when taking a 20 year old non-professional. Even professionals continue to train. I do not think the fact that they are working with Bailey is an indicator about HER talent any more than had any other girl from that reality show been cast in the role. </p>

<p>I also am not into the reality show casting thing (it sells tix, I realize). There are so many talented actors on the NYC audition circuit and I don’t believe that those who participated in this reality show necessarily represent the pool of talent out there. </p>

<p>I do wish Bailey much success on her dream come true and it sure is exciting for a college girl to go to Broadway, even if not by the usual route. She does seem to fit the “type” of this character, talent aside. Congrats to your school for having taken her this far. Funny about the pink VW bug…she seems to be into Elle type things even in her personal life…a good fit that I guess this production team went after.</p>

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<p>I read in an article about Bailey winning that after she is finished with Legally Blonde, she would like to take on the role of Galinda/Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. :)</p>

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<p>Like others, I don’t think this is necessarily a good way to cast a role. I honestly wish this young woman well. She has very difficult shoes to fill and I sincerely hope that this doesn’t turn into a debacle for her.</p>

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<p>Could be worse - could be Mylie Cyrus - or Britney Spears. Spears was an understudy to LBB in Ruthless.</p>

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<p>To reinforce what the above poster who knows Bailey said (about her being perfect, character-wise for the role of Elle Woods): Bailey herself said in the show that she IS Elle Woods. She would not even need to really act! I thought that was pretty funny…</p>

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<p>I had a feeling since director Jerry Mitchell is a choreographer, he might lean toward a stronger dancer than a singer.</p>

<p>I also wondered if choosing Bailey (who does seem so much like Elle Woods’ character) was more in keeping with the spirit of the reality show format-- the small-town-girl-makes-good sort of thing (I remember Bailey saying things like “I’ve never rode on a plane before,”(I cringed a little at the usage) “I’ve never rode in a limo,” and “I’ve never even been to Broadway show.” That makes for an even more dramatic happy ending.</p>

<p>I loved Autumn, besides great talent she had a wonderful spunk mixed with maturity, but as far as “type,” I kept thinking how much I’d love to see her in a period show, or something else. </p>

<p>I"m not a fan of stunt casting, and I can’t stand Haley Duff, but this show was a treat to watch! I never get addicted to shows, but this one was super fun.</p>

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<p>This post was on the Talkin’ Broadway message board this morning:</p>

<p>Bravo to Seth Rudetsky for another brilliant ‘‘Broadway Chatterbox.’’ Yesterday, his live talk show was a mini-reunion of contestants from MTV’s ‘‘Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods’’ with Celina, Lauren and Autumn.</p>

<p>The girls dished on the psychology tests and blood tests they had to take (to make sure they didn’t have sexually transmitted diseases); the bad food they were served, and how they were sequestered and weren’t supposed to talk to each other while the cameras were on. Things would be shot out of sequence, and edited in to hype the drama. </p>

<p>Sometimes the girls were asked to say dishy things in general (like ‘‘She’s not ready to move on’’), without being told who they were referring to. The girls would just be told the footage would be used later. Denis Jones was told thru his headset to tell the girls: ‘‘Dance as if you’re dancing for your lives!’’ But he refused to do it.</p>

<p>Another dramatic incident on the MTV show had Autumn having a meltdown from stress of auditioning and rushing to the bathroom. In reality, Autumn had gotten sick from some bad yogurt that had been left outside for a few days. A production assistant put it back in the freezer, and Autumn had no idea anything was wrong with it until after she ate it.</p>

<p>As if there were ever any doubt, the term ‘‘reality show’’ is often a misnomer.</p>

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<p>Wow, I suspected that things were scripted to a certain extent, but to make the girls say mean and critical things like “She’s not ready to move on” is really over the top. I wonder what would have happened if, say, a contestant refused to say such a thing? This also makes me wonder about that scene where the girls were asked to fill out forms choosing the least talented person, etc. (not exactly that, but it was close to that) and they refused, creating instead their own more “positive” questionnaire in “the spirit of Elle.” I wonder if that was suggested to them.</p>

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<p>NMR, when I was watching the show, I absolutely thought that it was the producer’s suggestion for the girls to switch the “mean” questions to nicer ones…so “Elle-like”. (So, “fixed”, in my opinion).</p>

<p>I also think it was terrible that they would film the girls saying cutting remarks about other contestants, using “She” as the subject…so they could just put that remark in wherever it would make for the best TV. You always hear about how the editing in these “reality” shows totally changes what really was said…it doesn’t matter who is hurt…it is ALL about making “good” TV.</p>

<p>There were times, however, when one of the girls was upset and said something negative about one of the others and actually mentioned their names. But, I’m sure they were “encouraged” to do that…and I bet they were sorry later.</p>

<p>I have a friend whose daughter was on Star Search the last year it was on TV. (They tried to make Star Search slightly “edgier”, with a “blunt” judge, etc.) She did not win in her “junior” category; but immediately following her “loss”, they filmed her…trying to get her to say something mean about the winner. She did not take the bait…nor did they show any part of her interview…it would have been “boring”.</p>

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<p>The kid I know who is in WSS at Alabama Shakes was one of the dancers that got to Vegas on “So You Think You Can Dance” last season. He actually ended up being number 21 when it got down to the top 20. About two months before he auditioned for the show his mother passed away. He was interviewed by the producers of the show and they asked him if he would cry on camera when he told the story about his mom. He said ‘no.’ He didn’t get into the final 20.</p>

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<p>Disney Director, that is a horrible example of how insensitive TV producers can be for “REALITY” shows that are from from reality. </p>

<p>I have another friend whose daughter sang on a TV competition show, and they asked the mom to cry while watching her daughter perform. She said she always cried anyway, so it was no problem. And…they did show her, wiping away her tears.</p>

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<p>MTV is filming a pilot for a reality TV show at my D’s arts school (I guess it isn’t a secret anymore since it has been in local papers). D was one of the students selected for interviewing as a potential focal student. THey were asked to fill out a survey prior to the interview, as I assume all the candidates on this were. It was clear from many of the questions that they were interested in students who would play into a hyper-dramatized role. Some of the questions where similar to “How far would you go to get a part om a show?” (I assume they weren’t talking about driving distance). “Who do you like least in the school?” “Who do you think gets parts they don’t deserve?”</p>

<p>In the interview kids where asked to speak explicitly about other students and one when girl’s name came up frequently as disliked, she was added to the list of focal students.</p>

<p>From these interactions around the pilot, D determined that this was not a show she was interested in being on. So I would assume all of these girls went in knowing exactly what was likely to happen as the reality was framed and agreed to let it happen.</p>