Drama Desk Panel on Casting TV, Film Stars on Broadway

The Drama Desk presented a special Panel Discussion and luncheon at Sardi’s on Friday titled “Movie and TV Stars on Stage,” reflecting the current trend of casting film and TV stars in plays and musicals on the New York stage.

The Panelists were (in alphabetical order): Jim Belushi (Born Yesterday), Maxwell Caulfield (Cactus Flower), Stephen Kunken (High), Dan Lauria (Lombardi), John Larroquette (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), John Leguizamo (Ghetto Klown) and Annabella Sciorra (The MotherF**ker with the Hat).

The panel was moderated by Drama Desk member Robin Milling (Milling About, BlogTalk Radio, World Entertainment News Network).

Panelists shared anecdotes about their time on stage and agreed on general truths about the differences between working on film and on stage:

• The rehearsal time for a stage production is a lot longer. You get to develop your character and his or her nuances in greater detail than the TV and film media which often have actors receiving dialogue just hours before the final take will be shot.
• The stage environment is more demanding. More work is required for less pay. There aren't extra "takes" to get something right.
• Stagework is draining. Once you find a peak, there's no "cut." You have to maintain it eight shows a week.

In addition, the panelists seem to be aware of a special kind of "magic" that's available only with live theater. When the material, the actors and the audience click, it's magic, Belushi said. Leguizamo compared it to an ice sculpture -- a beautiful creation that disappears quickly.

Belushi said he was humbled by the talent of the actors he has seen on Broadway. Larroquette is in awe of the lineage of great talent on the Great White Way and what amazing star might have used the dressing room you're now occupying.

Lauria expressed frustration over theater owners having control over who stars in a play (and apparently he was turned down by some to star as football coach Vince Lombardi. "They'd rather have Julia Roberts play Lombardi," he joked referring to the need for box office draw.

"I'm waiting for Snooki: The Musical," quipped Caufield.

But there is one advantage besides ticket sales to casting qualified TV and Hollywood stars on the stage, they agreed: They bring new audiences. Lauria related the story of a football star who came to see Lombardi. It was the first play he'd ever seen. Larroquette's co-star Dan Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter in the big screen, is packing in an audience of teen girls, he said.

The Drama Desk Award nominations for this season will be announced May 2 with the awards gala on May 23.