Here's a cliche' for ya: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"...unless you are unprofessional. Then, it just becomes the sincerest form of a cop out.
Many years ago, I was involved in community theatre out in California, just an hour north of Los Angeles...in the West Coast Bible Belt.
I had just moved from New York City, and was excited to get involved with the theatre community out there - but, being a theatre snob, and having seen Broadway for the last ten years, this place was too easy for me to pick apart.
I not only got involved - I saw the shows I wasn't involved in, since this was a small community, and most of the theatre people supported each other.
I tried to be supportive, but the more I saw, the more I saw crap....both on and off stage.
I can honestly say that there was some talent there, and they did put on some good shows from time to time, (the smaller the show, the better the production quality) but a lot of these folks were not serious about the theatre, as it was more a social outlet for them...like a Church away from Church.
One year, one of the (three) companies put on a production of "Fiddler on the Roof"...which consisted of a whole bunch of Christians playing Jews. The show was a success and sold out every night, (mainly because there were about 40 people in the cast and they had a lot of friends and family.)
The guy who played Tevye was a hit - but only if you knew nothing about theatre....or what it takes to be a good actor.
The reality of it was this: Tevye had watched the movie one too many times and basically gave us a dead-on impersonation of Topol.
For those who don't know, Topol originated the role of Tevye in the London production, and then went on to do the film at the age of 34. He continually played that role from 1967 to 2009, becoming the definitive Tevye, over Zero Mostel's original Broadway portrayal.
But the thing is, we were not there to see Topol. We were there to see "Fiddler on the Roof", yet, people raved about Tevye's acting....wait - sorry...I mean, impersonation.
I felt like I was the only one who scoffed at the unprofessionalism and amateur performance I had just witnessed.
Standing ovation? Not from me!
And shame on the Director for allowing this!
See, when an actor takes on a role, they have to make it their own. It's a part of the creative process. Unfortunately, the people in this community thought the way to make it their own was to copy - either the movie, or the cast recording - whatever was available that they could easily get a hold of. This was the extent of their actor's homework.
A few years ago, this California town did "Rent". I recently spoke to one of the cast members who told me that the Director didn't want them to change a thing, and to go home and watch the video of the final Broadway performance, as well as sing the songs exactly as it sounds on the cast recording.
With "Rent"???
Are you out of your fucking mind????
So, they were basically blocked from a video that evolved within 10 years from the original cast.
Yes, even Director's there were guilty of directing from the film or filmed stage productions. (I had only heard that their rendition of "My Fair Lady" was a recreation of George Cukor's film - just one of the many reasons I refused to see it - that, and casting a 15 year old girl with hardly any experience as Eliza Doolittle. Not my idea of an entertaining night at the theatre, thank you.)
Back in High School, after being cast in a show, I discovered that I needed to stay away from cast recordings, because I found myself mimicking them - wanting to sing things that were added on the recording, but not what was actually written in the Libretto.
When I was playing Tom Sawyer in "Big River", I purposely did not listen to the recording so that I wouldn't emulate John Short's Tom Sawyer...and I learned the song with the sheet music.
My understudy, however, gave us John Short's rendition of "Hand For the Hog".
Back to Tevye:
So a few months after the "Fiddler" run, there was an Awards ceremony - sort of like the local Tony Awards - only, not as prestigious....or as entertaining....and much longer.
It was my birthday, and I took my mom, who was in town visiting, as I figured it would be a good night of celebration. Plus, I was asked to perform.
I was nominated for my role as Horton in "Seussical", and Mr. Topol Impersonator was nominated in the same category as Best Male Lead.
He won.
I would have been happier had any of the other nominees won, as my anger didn't come from bitterness. It came from the fact that he did not deserve that fucking award.
This man, mind you, was in "Seussical" with me. He rarely showed up to rehearsals, was drunk half the time, brought his personal drama to rehearsals, and even missed a complete performance.
He missed a performance and he's not blacklisted?? People have been blacklisted there for less. In my case, it was because I was honest - and no one there wanted to hear honesty, as they wanted their asses kissed. (Not to mention the homophobia and jealousy that was also a part of it, but we'll save that for a different blog.)
There were a few exceptions out there, though. This one woman, who was in charge of a theatre group, let me direct one of their shows. We got along because we agreed on the bullshit that made up the community - including Tevye's Award Winning Cop Out performance - but she knew how to play the game. I didn't.
Many in the community did not come see the show I directed - even though I ended up winning Best Director and Best Play in the next year's Awards Ceremony (Thank You!)
The bottom line is: If you're just going to be a carbon copy and think that by doing so, you're putting on an amazing show or giving the best performance, then you really shouldn't be doing this...unless you're stuck in a community that doesn't know any better and that's the farthest you ever plan on getting as a performer....in other words: Crap!
That is not true Art - that is just Art imitating Art.
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