re: Dimming Marquee Lights Question
Last Edit: PlayWiz 03:10 pm EDT 10/07/24
Posted by: PlayWiz 03:05 pm EDT 10/07/24
In reply to: Dimming Marquee Lights Question - theatreguy40 02:04 pm EDT 10/07/24

You are correct that there is much inequality in a field whose union is called "Actors Equity", which is more of an ideal in some ways than what happens as practiced. I think folks like to latch onto a celebrated person who has "made it" since it really is so difficult to forge a career in theater; certain persons' careers sometimes happen because they fortuitously showed up at one particular audition, met someone at a party or through a friend of someone led to an introduction to some powerful agent, casting director or producer, etc. Of course, talent is involved, but, as you say, other things being equal, that started the ball rolling for them. Some people who have many Tony awards (or 1) aren't necessarily better performers (or better and more worthy as people) than those who haven't won or been nominated, yet many times they are treated as such. But I think many folks rather glom onto the ones who got lucky and who made the most of their opportunities and delivered, in part (at least at award time) because in some way they perhaps represent the many who don't get that recognition. Of course, there are some folks who are just big fans of specific people or who think the award especially signifies "the best in achievement", when most of us can point out folks who didn't get the award or the career that some did and were just as or perhaps even more worthy of it.

I posted below in a thread that Maggie Smith has 1 Oscar more, plus 1 Tony more and more Broadway credits than Robin Williams. Maggie Smith's series of "Downton Abbey" probably had more seasons on tv than Williama' tv show "Mork and Mindy" which made him famous. Yet Smith hasn't gotten a lights dimming and he did. There's no consistency to who gets this honor.

Question for those who signed surveys and expressed concern/outrage about folks getting/not getting lights dimmed: What percentage of those people actually show up in the theater district at the appointed hour when those lights are dimmed? It's one thing to talk the talk, but to actually take the subway/bus there and walk the walk is another thing. There are other ways to honor people: you can do it by playing their recordings and watching their video work if it exists as well. That lasts longer than a 1-minute light dimming.
reply

Previous: re: Dimming Marquee Lights Question - JereNYC 04:25 pm EDT 10/07/24
Next: re: Dimming Marquee Lights Question - AlanScott 02:49 pm EDT 10/07/24
Thread:


    Time to render: 0.013206 seconds.