Seeing the Stage Through Our Eyes - Walnut Street Theatre

Alyssa Marino
Broadway And The West End Not Immune To Reality TV
Andrew Lloyd Weber was the first to bridge the gap between reality television and
professional musical theater. Weber is the composer of many of Broadway’s most beloved
productions such as Phantom of the Opera, Cats, and Aspects of Love which is currently
playing at The Walnut Street Theatre through Oct. 23 rd . In 2006, Andrew Lloyd Weber
created and produced How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria for BBC. The format of this
show and its spinoffs is a cross between Donald Trump’s The Apprentice and American Idol.
The process starts with an open audition for those wishing to compete for a leading role in
a West End or Broadway production. In the case of How Do You Solve…, the prize was the
role of Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. During each episode, contestants perform
challenges to prove they’re a triple threat meaning they can sing, act and dance with equal
expertise. Contestants are eliminated each week and the last person standing is offered a
contract for the production. Weber produced four other shows with this same format,
most recently Over the Rainbow, searching for the next Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Weber
stated that this may be his last reality show venture.
Weber’s formula influenced NBC to produce Grease: You’re the One That I Want in
2006 to find Sandy and Danny for the Grease Broadway revival. These shows can launch a
lifelong career. Laura Osnes won Sandy in Grease and has subsequently performed in a
plethora of Broadway productions. She can next be seen as Bonnie in the production of
Bonnie and Clyde premiering November in NYC. Not only can this process make an actor’s
dream come true, but also for those not familiar with the theater, these programs can bring
a little bit of Broadway into their homes and quite possibly the soaring melodies of Andrew
Lloyd Weber into their lives.