I was a huge fan of musical theater and "Broadway." When my husband and I started dating 15 years ago, I got him into too. We've seen shows in three different countries and in two different languages. I gave those people thousands of dollars and have seen hundreds of shows. Our first dance song at our wedding was How Bout A Dance sung by Laura Osnes from the show Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical. I've seen her perform multiple times, and her voice and presence resonates. She is truly amazing. What that "community" did to her was horrendous. So much for inclusion! They are the bigots.
I've been such a fan of Laura's for a long time and it was devastating to see the rejection she experienced the last few years. So grateful for how she has been able to grow and learn from her experiences. She's somehow become an even more wonderful person! Loved this conversation!
Hearing you both talk about the bitterness had me balling my eyes out. I have been trying my best to find a way to forgive our community but it might be an unattainable goal. Especially with their refusal to move on. The level of betrayal is so deep. I completely agree with Laura, we can't hang on to the sadness and hatred of what we've been put through because in the end it only hurts us more. Your conversation has given me more strength to push through the pain. Thank you for being open and honest. Let's keep building our own community
I have to say as a conservative I don’t feel very welcome in most artistic venues. Museums, theatre. I feel I am being preached to a lot, a lot of assumptions are made that “Well we all believe this right? and the ignorant don’t.” Humor that is at the expense of conservatives. We do buy tickets, so thank you.
Im pretty much politically homeless but I know that vibe you're talking about. Especially as a black dude cause they automatically assume im in on it, when in reality its the most cringe thing to me they will also go to me to confirm their ideological beliefs. It just makes me sick to my stomach most the time🤮.
Exactly. We're so often villainized for the crime of thinking differently. Like if you don't think like the others, you're a horrible person and a danger to those around you. I don't see why we can't all respect each other as individuals and put politics aside for once
Humor is not at the expense of anyone. Humor is a natural reaction to the twists and turns of life. My wife and I used to be a lay teachers in a catholic school. If a comic in a comedy club had asked me "what is your job?" and then asked my wife "what is your job?" and did not proceed to make a sex-related joke, he would not have been doing his job. If you homeschool your kids, there will be prom jokes. If you are an anti-masker, you will be asked. "...Even on Halloween?" It's hard to believe Kyrie Irving refused to be vaccinated... I've never seen him pass up any shot. Live and laugh.
Good interview. I wonder if there are enough people in the entertainment world who have gone through this that they could start building a parallel industry - plays, shows, etc. of people who either didn't give into the mandates or people who didn't join in to the cancel culture. I especially wonder if live streaming plays or readings of plays would be a possibility.
Appreciated that conversation, you're a fantastic interviewer Duncan! Laura sounds like such a delightful and positive person, apparently not traits that are appreciated on Broadway.
The theater community are bullies and a joke. Shine on Laura they deserve to be cancelled for making the literal kindest human feel this way. Shame ON THEM!!!!!!!!
I’m glad this is here. This one is way overdue. And such a long time coming. I’m glad to see you’re back! Clifton, you did it again. Another fantastic interview❤
Laura is a remarkable women. She continues to succeed in her field because of her determination, faith, and upbringing. Great role model to all those souls she touches everyday. Hope to see more from her in the future.
Laura! Oh my goodness. You have so accurately expressed the feelings of those of us in the music/performance world the past few years who have different ideas than the mainstream political views in the entertainment world. THANK YOU for speaking your truth for those of us who don't have the platform to do so regarding the issue of vaccination choice. Tolerance and acceptance should be two sided. Also, I just admire your talent and think you have the voice of an angel. Thank you!
Off the top of my head for shows you two could do together: Carousel, The Bridges of Madison County, Beauty and the Beast, Ragtime (reprise Coalhouse), Passion, Jekyll and Hyde, Chicago, Waitress, Violet, Evita, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun.
Every single question is something I've been mulling over and wishing I could talk about with my artist friends -- a community I'm not really a part of anymore. It was medicine to listen. Thank you!
Fantastic conversation. Thank you. As an ex Actor and singer myself, I totally relate to so much discussed here. You are both brave and beautiful soul's living in very difficult times. Xxx
Clearly 3 months late to the party as I'm just catching up on all your great content Clifton. I can absolutely attest to every single thing y'all talked about in this episode as a former Broadway performer turned director/choreographer/educator-whose main source of income is now in CRAZY academia. Enduring existence in the halls of academia not only during Covid but during the "racial reckoning" has been enough to send a person (me) into the loony bin. The stories I could tell, Clifton. Anyway thank you so very much for producing this podcast-please continue to reach out to so many of us artists (hopefully there are many!) who are SICK and tired of this BS. Laura, you are my hero and you have already achieved some retribution albeit, it'll never make up for the gross disrespect and cruelty thrust your way.
My grandfather - an actor and writer - was blacklisted in the 1950s. He was blacklisted for being too sympathetic to communism for his industry overlords. It strikes me that the people doing the blacklisting today think that being “on the right side of history” gives them special dispensation to do what the studios and producers did to all those artists back then…and strikes me as so odd that if I spoke up more loudly about the principles I learned from the legacy of my communist, persecuted grandfather, I’d be dismissed as right-wing, even though I personally did everything they asked, and simply think that with the crisis over, it’s time to forgive and open the doors again. Great art and artists transcend their own present politics. On the Waterfront and The Crucible are two works of art on opposite sides of a morally charged political issue, but they both stand today because they spoke to the human soul at the heart of the issues.
It is unbelievable what has happened over the last 3 years. Many were brainwashed by this mass formation psychosis operation. My husband walked away from a very well paying job with World Wrestling Entertainment because of this vax mandate and my son was discharged from the Army for refusing it as well. We have all been greatly affected by this craziness. Life has changed in a big way. Working hard to choose forgiveness. 😢 It ain’t easy.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring Cheers.
Be careful, Laura. What we forgive too quickly doesn't stay forgiven, and feelings buried alive never die. You have every right to your emotional process and whatever that brings up for you. Time is the great healer. Trust in time, and while you can forgive someone for what they did, you don't ever have to put yourself in a position where you're vulnerable to them again nor should you. People show us who they are by their actions, and when they do that--believe them. They're typical, superficial, hypocritical, entertainment phonies. You don't need them.
Two people demonstrating kindness and thoughtfulness. It is too bad so many find demonstrating the same thing so difficult, and worse, too many are all too willing to demonstrate the exact opposite.
I'm so glad I got out of the business when I did; no one has done themselves any service with their ignorant and ridiculous attitudes. I don't know why anyone would want to be an entertainer under the current conditions.
Laura, my family is such big fans of your movies you've been in. Hearing this podcast today I having nothing but more Respect for you as a person. Good Luck in the Future. Clifton thanks and please continue the discussions you have had. Both of you are inspiring.
I've been following Laura since I was an early teen. What made me not pursue acting was parental disproval for acting, but because we were a politically conservative family and actors are crazy (I found that out after minoring in theater in college). Seeing Laura come out like this makes me have a whole new respect and admiration for her. She is beyond brave for speaking out. Sadly, however, this only proves my point that different opinions are not welcome on Broadway.
In the infancy of television they're was a show called Playhouse 90, where they would stage live performances for broadcast. My favorite internet content is the long form conversational podcasts, and they are extremely popular. So my idea for writers and actors, is to stage plays which are in a long form conversation format. Dialogue-driven stuff which could be performed on a minimal set. Example: if "My Dinner with Andre" were written in 2023. Seems like a viable new form of theatre for the internet with lots of possibilities. Nice to see you back in the saddle, Clifton!
LOVED The Play That Goes Wrong! Saw it just before the Pandemic hit. I can understand how you must have felt each evening hearing the laughter and feeling the joy of performing. Thank you for this podcast. I also use to be a performer. Left NYC 2 years ago. I miss acting. But I made many enemies by not agreeing and questioning. Sad. I miss my "friends?" and that life. Maybe someday I can let it go. First, start with recording a song together. Maybe write a song about your experience and new life? Forgiveness? And maybe a show about everything you discussed. Write the show. Or find a writer. How cool would that be. A show that is not from some Hollywood movie. A show that truly is inclusive. That questions. And maybe unites. Best wishes to you both.
Thank you for this beautiful and spirit-nourishing conversation. You always give me hope as a creative lost in this current chaos. Also never thought I’d see you repping my home county lol
Wonderful interview! And welcome to Nashville Laura!! I moved here from the DC/Balt area 13 years ago and was, for many years, a big part of the theater world in that area but now really love it here in TN. I am also a big fan of R&H musicals. Even as a former performer and unvaxxed i too lived through a shunning from many of my theater friends because of having different views but so very blessed to be living here in Franklin TN now. I am not sure i could have survived the last three years up north. Thanks so much for this discussion Clifton!
Am I alone in thinking the person who revealed the vaccine status was jealous they didn't get the concert so decided to "cancel" her? Or am I just too cynical?
YES, the time has come for artists to get out and be artists in their small towns and smaller cities again. Go into some of the zillion closed-down store fronts and start a theater group, a music school, whatever. Broadway and Hollywood got too big and too smug, and I believe their time is over.
this was BRILLIANT!! thank you so much for bringing up this needed conversation. i wish there weren't so many nasty and ignorant people out there (or in these comments). it's such a shame to see how disgusting people can be, and really shows how miserable they are. i have supported laura for 10+ years and will continue to do so. it's so refreshing and encouraging to see her grow and heal - and especially to still wish the best for people who have hurt you. it's a lesson i still need to learn. love you, laur. and thank you, clifton!!!!!!
I would figure that a Tony award-nominated collegially trained actress an singer who had been a rousing success on Broadway for years would get paid considerably more than $200 for one gig. I'm glad she didn't get the jabbaroonie for that. Thanks for the great show people.
Thanks to both of you for such an honest and inspiring conversation. I'm so impressed by Laura and her ability to forgive! I've not suffered anything economically from my unvaxxed status (was mentally preparing to have to lose my career at one point though) and it's hard for me to think about forgiving people when the consequences of these discriminations and betrayals are still hurting people so unfairly and no one has been brought to account for these assaults on our basic rights and civil liberties. But I think Laura is correct - we damage ourselves by carrying that bitterness around with us and it's made me think about how I can try to move past that anger myself. It's going to take the world a long time to come to terms with the damage these past 3 years have done sadly, and we'll need talented artists who are honest, principled and dignified to help us get through it with some humanity intact. And on that note, I would love to see you guys perform in anything together - maybe you could livestream a performance that touches on some of the topical issues of political censorship, witch-hunts and authoritarianism? All I can think of is The Crucible right now but there must be loads of others. Also - rather a random idea sorry! - but it seems to me there's potentially a gap in the market for live action performances where the audience gets to decide what happens next? Like maybe you could do a series online but allow the audience to vote on a couple of options about what decisions the characters should make next, or what would happen next in the plot. I don't know if anyone has properly tried this out already (think Netflix might have attempted something similar once) but we do have the technology these days to make performances more improvised and bespoke to audience input. Might be something for someone to try without the dead hand of Netflix management being involved? The entertainment industry behemoths are doing a phenomenally bad job of serving anything audiences actually want to see these days and that's got to be creating an opportunity for someone else to move in and give audiences the catharsis and uplifting drama they crave! :)
This lady has a much bigger heart than me. Anyone from my past who slandered me, vilified me, treated me like a leprous outcast, etc. who thinks they can come back into my life without so much as an apology can fuck right off. And it's not so much do do with anger as I don't need people with such weak character in my life. These last three years have been extremely eye-opening.
A crisis will always be squeezed to its last drop by some (mostly the elite) in society. At this point, in the beginning, it became a political signalling game in America like everything else. Wearing a mask is a political statement, even moreso when most people do not do so. So the most ardent followers still continue the practice.
I have been the biggest fan of Laura’s for a long time. I saw her in Bandstand and the Broadway Princess Party, and I did a Camel video chat with her in 2020. She is the sweetest person ever.
As a conservative atheist, I feel somewhere between you two. It's strange how there's all this talk of diversity when there's such intolerance instead of respect for people's indiviudality. How utterly boring and drab this world would be if we were all the same. At the end there, Laura's remark you did this to yourself for makng the "wrong" decision, this is the problem. This attitude that anyone who makes a decision you wouldn't choose or thinks differently than you cannot be tolerated. That is not respecting diversity/diverse thinking.
Everytime I listen to you interview a person involved with theatre I feel inspired to get back into the game (but definitely not in NY). Unfortunately I'm not a huge musical person (I prefer straight theatre), but one show came to mind right for the current social climate. Here's one recommendation I can offer. Since we're all being gaslit by the media and our representatives I would like to see the OG of that subject matter: Angel Street (Gaslight).
Great conversation, Laura & Clifton! I'm in the midst of unexpected musical work in one of the most oppressive regions of the last couple of years. People everywhere are hungry for independent art. I will seek out Laura's music! Whoot! 🎶💃🩵
Great interview. Agree with all you are saying. It's shocking that the entertainment industry is continuing on with these mandates when they have completely been dropped with the CDC and everywhere else. It makes no sense.
The persistence required and that’s if you have an acceptable reputation to audition and not get a callback after putting your best forward over and over does make it hard to preserve. It’s a rough industry that doesn’t care in the least about you and even if you succeed the attitude is what have you done lately. Now everyone lives somewhere else and flys out to L.A. NYC and wherever they’re performing. Airport life
It would be so nice if you could start narrating all these children books they keep cancelling. Maybe get your cancelled friends to do voices with you.
You don't have to hold the grudge, or hate some one. But you should always use some one's actions to take the measure of a (hu)man. Once you have their measure you see more of their true face.
***SUGGESTION FOR MUTUAL PROJECT: A RE-MAKE OF FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS as a musical. Laura = Maria (Ingrid Bergman). Clifton = Robert (Gary Cooper) . Break a leg. With love.
I was a huge fan of musical theater and "Broadway." When my husband and I started dating 15 years ago, I got him into too. We've seen shows in three different countries and in two different languages. I gave those people thousands of dollars and have seen hundreds of shows. Our first dance song at our wedding was How Bout A Dance sung by Laura Osnes from the show Bonnie and Clyde, the Musical. I've seen her perform multiple times, and her voice and presence resonates. She is truly amazing. What that "community" did to her was horrendous. So much for inclusion! They are the bigots.
I've been such a fan of Laura's for a long time and it was devastating to see the rejection she experienced the last few years. So grateful for how she has been able to grow and learn from her experiences. She's somehow become an even more wonderful person! Loved this conversation!
Hearing you both talk about the bitterness had me balling my eyes out. I have been trying my best to find a way to forgive our community but it might be an unattainable goal. Especially with their refusal to move on. The level of betrayal is so deep. I completely agree with Laura, we can't hang on to the sadness and hatred of what we've been put through because in the end it only hurts us more. Your conversation has given me more strength to push through the pain. Thank you for being open and honest.
Let's keep building our own community
@@CliftonADuncan if I had a US citizenship I'd be there in a heartbeat.
@@evapetris1840 If they didn’t have a jab mandate for non-US citizens, I would move to there or West Florida without hesitation.
I have no desire to ever visit NYC again.
I feel the same way. No desire to visit many places after the events of the last 3 years.
I have to say as a conservative I don’t feel very welcome in most artistic venues. Museums, theatre. I feel I am being preached to a lot, a lot of assumptions are made that “Well we all believe this right? and the ignorant don’t.” Humor that is at the expense of conservatives. We do buy tickets, so thank you.
Im pretty much politically homeless but I know that vibe you're talking about. Especially as a black dude cause they automatically assume im in on it, when in reality its the most cringe thing to me they will also go to me to confirm their ideological beliefs. It just makes me sick to my stomach most the time🤮.
Exactly. We're so often villainized for the crime of thinking differently. Like if you don't think like the others, you're a horrible person and a danger to those around you. I don't see why we can't all respect each other as individuals and put politics aside for once
Humor is not at the expense of anyone. Humor is a natural reaction to the twists and turns of life. My wife and I used to be a lay teachers in a catholic school. If a comic in a comedy club had asked me "what is your job?" and then asked my wife "what is your job?" and did not proceed to make a sex-related joke, he would not have been doing his job. If you homeschool your kids, there will be prom jokes. If you are an anti-masker, you will be asked. "...Even on Halloween?" It's hard to believe Kyrie Irving refused to be vaccinated... I've never seen him pass up any shot. Live and laugh.
As someone who used to buy Broadway tickets and drank the blue Kool-Aid until 2015, I see you 👊
WOW. Two incredible artists and humans. Loved this so much.
Good interview. I wonder if there are enough people in the entertainment world who have gone through this that they could start building a parallel industry - plays, shows, etc. of people who either didn't give into the mandates or people who didn't join in to the cancel culture. I especially wonder if live streaming plays or readings of plays would be a possibility.
I give you both so much credit. I’ve had a theater career but I’m not known and I’ve been completely silent about my vax status. Kudos to both of you.
Welcome back, Clifton! Good to see you again!
Happy to see you back podcasting!
Appreciated that conversation, you're a fantastic interviewer Duncan! Laura sounds like such a delightful and positive person, apparently not traits that are appreciated on Broadway.
Laura is FANTASTIC. Loved her for years.
Duncan, thank you for your work.
The theater community are bullies and a joke. Shine on Laura they deserve to be cancelled for making the literal kindest human feel this way. Shame ON THEM!!!!!!!!
I’m glad this is here. This one is way overdue. And such a long time coming. I’m glad to see you’re back! Clifton, you did it again. Another fantastic interview❤
@@CliftonADuncan I’ll stay tuned!! 😉
Love this interview. Thank you not only for being a voice for the unjabbed, but for those who have been lied about in The NY Post!
Laura is a remarkable women. She continues to succeed in her field because of her determination, faith, and upbringing. Great role model to all those souls she touches everyday. Hope to see more from her in the future.
So happy to meet you both (in these unprecedented times) and hear your stories, and support you. God bless!
Wow. Laura is fantastically awesome. The positive insight she expressed on what happened to her is inspiring. Great interview Clifton.
Laura! Oh my goodness. You have so accurately expressed the feelings of those of us in the music/performance world the past few years who have different ideas than the mainstream political views in the entertainment world. THANK YOU for speaking your truth for those of us who don't have the platform to do so regarding the issue of vaccination choice. Tolerance and acceptance should be two sided. Also, I just admire your talent and think you have the voice of an angel. Thank you!
Welcome back, Clifton Duncan!
Clifton, you're a star! Looking forward to watching your channel grow and seeing the great things you're able to pull together.
Off the top of my head for shows you two could do together: Carousel, The Bridges of Madison County, Beauty and the Beast, Ragtime (reprise Coalhouse), Passion, Jekyll and Hyde, Chicago, Waitress, Violet, Evita, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun.
Every single question is something I've been mulling over and wishing I could talk about with my artist friends -- a community I'm not really a part of anymore. It was medicine to listen. Thank you!
I spent Christmas Eve watching One Royal Christmas and this interview. Couldn't have asked for a merrier evening 😁
Fantastic conversation. Thank you. As an ex Actor and singer myself, I totally relate to so much discussed here. You are both brave and beautiful soul's living in very difficult times. Xxx
He bacc
Wonderful to have you back !! 2 amazing performers ❤️❤️
She will always be my Cinderella. Hope to see more of her very soon.
I am so happy to see this…at last 😊
please collaborate and create a refreshed, dynamic, enlightened theater outside the rotten apple
Stay strong y’all. People are rejecting the narrative that has been prevalent in the last few years. Supporting you both from Texas
Great conversation! Welcome back, Clifton!
Clearly 3 months late to the party as I'm just catching up on all your great content Clifton. I can absolutely attest to every single thing y'all talked about in this episode as a former Broadway performer turned director/choreographer/educator-whose main source of income is now in CRAZY academia. Enduring existence in the halls of academia not only during Covid but during the "racial reckoning" has been enough to send a person (me) into the loony bin. The stories I could tell, Clifton. Anyway thank you so very much for producing this podcast-please continue to reach out to so many of us artists (hopefully there are many!) who are SICK and tired of this BS. Laura, you are my hero and you have already achieved some retribution albeit, it'll never make up for the gross disrespect and cruelty thrust your way.
My grandfather - an actor and writer - was blacklisted in the 1950s. He was blacklisted for being too sympathetic to communism for his industry overlords. It strikes me that the people doing the blacklisting today think that being “on the right side of history” gives them special dispensation to do what the studios and producers did to all those artists back then…and strikes me as so odd that if I spoke up more loudly about the principles I learned from the legacy of my communist, persecuted grandfather, I’d be dismissed as right-wing, even though I personally did everything they asked, and simply think that with the crisis over, it’s time to forgive and open the doors again.
Great art and artists transcend their own present politics. On the Waterfront and The Crucible are two works of art on opposite sides of a morally charged political issue, but they both stand today because they spoke to the human soul at the heart of the issues.
As always, a brilliant conversation that feeds my soul ❤ Thank you Clifton
It is unbelievable what has happened over the last 3 years. Many were brainwashed by this mass formation psychosis operation.
My husband walked away from a very well paying job with World Wrestling Entertainment because of this vax mandate and my son was discharged from the Army for refusing it as well. We have all been greatly affected by this craziness. Life has changed in a big way.
Working hard to choose forgiveness. 😢
It ain’t easy.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Cheers.
@@CliftonADuncan Your very welcome kind sir.
Cheers.
Thank you brother. Great to see you again with a great guest as per usual. 👍
Be careful, Laura. What we forgive too quickly doesn't stay forgiven, and feelings buried alive never die. You have every right to your emotional process and whatever that brings up for you. Time is the great healer. Trust in time, and while you can forgive someone for what they did, you don't ever have to put yourself in a position where you're vulnerable to them again nor should you. People show us who they are by their actions, and when they do that--believe them. They're typical, superficial, hypocritical, entertainment phonies. You don't need them.
Two people demonstrating kindness and thoughtfulness. It is too bad so many find demonstrating the same thing so difficult, and worse, too many are all too willing to demonstrate the exact opposite.
I'm so glad I got out of the business when I did; no one has done themselves any service with their ignorant and ridiculous attitudes. I don't know why anyone would want to be an entertainer under the current conditions.
What a wonderful interview. So inspiring to listen to both of you.
Coming in hot with the pink V-neck. Welcome back sir.
You guys should The King and I! Obviously perfect show for you.
Love this show. These are conversations worth listening to!
Laura, my family is such big fans of your movies you've been in. Hearing this podcast today I having nothing but more Respect for you as a person. Good Luck in the Future. Clifton thanks and please continue the discussions you have had. Both of you are inspiring.
I've been following Laura since I was an early teen. What made me not pursue acting was parental disproval for acting, but because we were a politically conservative family and actors are crazy (I found that out after minoring in theater in college). Seeing Laura come out like this makes me have a whole new respect and admiration for her. She is beyond brave for speaking out. Sadly, however, this only proves my point that different opinions are not welcome on Broadway.
I enjoyed the interview!
❤Loved Clifton’s interview w/Laura. Lots of engaging questions and thoughtful discussion. Awesome segment👏🏻👏🏻
In the infancy of television they're was a show called Playhouse 90, where they would stage live performances for broadcast.
My favorite internet content is the long form conversational podcasts, and they are extremely popular.
So my idea for writers and actors, is to stage plays which are in a long form conversation format. Dialogue-driven stuff which could be performed on a minimal set.
Example: if "My Dinner with Andre" were written in 2023. Seems like a viable new form of theatre for the internet with lots of possibilities.
Nice to see you back in the saddle, Clifton!
Clifton. Thank you!
LOVED The Play That Goes Wrong! Saw it just before the Pandemic hit. I can understand how you must have felt each evening hearing the laughter and feeling the joy of performing. Thank you for this podcast. I also use to be a performer. Left NYC 2 years ago. I miss acting. But I made many enemies by not agreeing and questioning. Sad. I miss my "friends?" and that life. Maybe someday I can let it go.
First, start with recording a song together. Maybe write a song about your experience and new life? Forgiveness? And maybe a show about everything you discussed. Write the show. Or find a writer. How cool would that be. A show that is not from some Hollywood movie. A show that truly is inclusive. That questions. And maybe unites.
Best wishes to you both.
She did release an album and expressed her feelings through her own songs in this
Been missing these wonderful talks!
Thank you for this beautiful and spirit-nourishing conversation. You always give me hope as a creative lost in this current chaos. Also never thought I’d see you repping my home county lol
Just finished watching this interview. I admire you both greatly - as artists and humans. Much love to you friends!
Clifton Duncan not only had to work in a club or bar, but he did it. To make ends meet, presumably. Unreal.
Glad to see you again! Hope you have a good week, Clifton!
I would like to see authentic original plays, even short ones.
Wonderful interview!
And welcome to Nashville Laura!!
I moved here from the DC/Balt area 13 years ago and was, for many years, a big part of the theater world in that area but now really love it here in TN.
I am also a big fan of R&H musicals. Even as a former performer and unvaxxed i too lived through a shunning from many of my theater friends because of having different views but so very blessed to be living here in Franklin TN now. I am not sure i could have survived the last three years up north. Thanks so much for this discussion Clifton!
My favorite show is back! Wonderful episode. Look forward to more in the near future!
Am I alone in thinking the person who revealed the vaccine status was jealous they didn't get the concert so decided to "cancel" her? Or am I just too cynical?
Page Six was very cowardly by keeping the insiders of the theatre that reported to them anonymous, absolute cowards.
probably more like self righteousness with a foundation of pure ignorance than anything
The Cheap Detective. You'd. Both kill it ... Jeepers creepers where'd you get those peepers! 🤪
YES, the time has come for artists to get out and be artists in their small towns and smaller cities again. Go into some of the zillion closed-down store fronts and start a theater group, a music school, whatever. Broadway and Hollywood got too big and too smug, and I believe their time is over.
this was BRILLIANT!! thank you so much for bringing up this needed conversation. i wish there weren't so many nasty and ignorant people out there (or in these comments). it's such a shame to see how disgusting people can be, and really shows how miserable they are. i have supported laura for 10+ years and will continue to do so. it's so refreshing and encouraging to see her grow and heal - and especially to still wish the best for people who have hurt you. it's a lesson i still need to learn. love you, laur. and thank you, clifton!!!!!!
I would figure that a Tony award-nominated collegially trained actress an singer who had been a rousing success on Broadway for years would get paid considerably more than $200 for one gig. I'm glad she didn't get the jabbaroonie for that. Thanks for the great show people.
Thanks to both of you for such an honest and inspiring conversation. I'm so impressed by Laura and her ability to forgive! I've not suffered anything economically from my unvaxxed status (was mentally preparing to have to lose my career at one point though) and it's hard for me to think about forgiving people when the consequences of these discriminations and betrayals are still hurting people so unfairly and no one has been brought to account for these assaults on our basic rights and civil liberties. But I think Laura is correct - we damage ourselves by carrying that bitterness around with us and it's made me think about how I can try to move past that anger myself.
It's going to take the world a long time to come to terms with the damage these past 3 years have done sadly, and we'll need talented artists who are honest, principled and dignified to help us get through it with some humanity intact.
And on that note, I would love to see you guys perform in anything together - maybe you could livestream a performance that touches on some of the topical issues of political censorship, witch-hunts and authoritarianism? All I can think of is The Crucible right now but there must be loads of others.
Also - rather a random idea sorry! - but it seems to me there's potentially a gap in the market for live action performances where the audience gets to decide what happens next? Like maybe you could do a series online but allow the audience to vote on a couple of options about what decisions the characters should make next, or what would happen next in the plot. I don't know if anyone has properly tried this out already (think Netflix might have attempted something similar once) but we do have the technology these days to make performances more improvised and bespoke to audience input. Might be something for someone to try without the dead hand of Netflix management being involved? The entertainment industry behemoths are doing a phenomenally bad job of serving anything audiences actually want to see these days and that's got to be creating an opportunity for someone else to move in and give audiences the catharsis and uplifting drama they crave! :)
This lady has a much bigger heart than me. Anyone from my past who slandered me, vilified me, treated me like a leprous outcast, etc. who thinks they can come back into my life without so much as an apology can fuck right off. And it's not so much do do with anger as I don't need people with such weak character in my life. These last three years have been extremely eye-opening.
A crisis will always be squeezed to its last drop by some (mostly the elite) in society. At this point, in the beginning, it became a political signalling game in America like everything else. Wearing a mask is a political statement, even moreso when most people do not do so. So the most ardent followers still continue the practice.
Stage popular musicals with talented artists outside of NYC and publicize, publicize, and publicize! Push we can agree to disagree and still be civil.
Damn you're back
Missed you! Except on Twitter 😏 So glad you’re back.
Forgiveness? Are you kidding me?
I can’t do it
I am fucking pissed at these globalists
I must've seen you in The Scottsboro Boys. I saw it in LA in 2013...it was amazing 👏🏿
Coffee add before the video was hilarious
The King and I. Make it happen! ;-)
I have been the biggest fan of Laura’s for a long time. I saw her in Bandstand and the Broadway Princess Party, and I did a Camel video chat with her in 2020. She is the sweetest person ever.
Psyched to listen to this, do you know when the audio version will go up on Spotify? Happy to see you back my dude!
"The King and I"
I love you Laur. Always
I'd love to see you both perform - As long as your mine ~ Wicked
As a conservative atheist, I feel somewhere between you two. It's strange how there's all this talk of diversity when there's such intolerance instead of respect for people's indiviudality. How utterly boring and drab this world would be if we were all the same. At the end there, Laura's remark you did this to yourself for makng the "wrong" decision, this is the problem. This attitude that anyone who makes a decision you wouldn't choose or thinks differently than you cannot be tolerated. That is not respecting diversity/diverse thinking.
We need a wickedly funny musical comedy about all this covid hysteria and excess...probably a decade or two from being able to gave that though.
Everytime I listen to you interview a person involved with theatre I feel inspired to get back into the game (but definitely not in NY). Unfortunately I'm not a huge musical person (I prefer straight theatre), but one show came to mind right for the current social climate. Here's one recommendation I can offer. Since we're all being gaslit by the media and our representatives I would like to see the OG of that subject matter: Angel Street (Gaslight).
Clifton, your theme music is excellent. Is there a longer version somewhere? Shazam gave me nothing.
@@CliftonADuncan Thank you sir!
Great conversation, Laura & Clifton! I'm in the midst of unexpected musical work in one of the most oppressive regions of the last couple of years. People everywhere are hungry for independent art. I will seek out Laura's music! Whoot!
🎶💃🩵
You two do some Shakespeare!
South Pacific, please!
Great interview. Agree with all you are saying. It's shocking that the entertainment industry is continuing on with these mandates when they have completely been dropped with the CDC and everywhere else. It makes no sense.
Thanks for being an ally Clifton
Are you and Laura going to collaborate on future projects? Because that would be awesome.
Daily Wire should bring them on to start up DW Theatre Productions.
The persistence required and that’s if you have an acceptable reputation to audition and not get a callback after putting your best forward over and over does make it hard to preserve. It’s a rough industry that doesn’t care in the least about you and even if you succeed the attitude is what have you done lately. Now everyone lives somewhere else and flys out to L.A. NYC and wherever they’re performing. Airport life
Clifton hittin' on her hard. 😂😉
How did I miss this. They canceled her?
No wonder broadway is such garbage nowadays
Please do Carousel together! Texan here with $😂 nothing would piss the wokies off more than carousel and ya'll would be awesome in that!
It would be so nice if you could start narrating all these children books they keep cancelling. Maybe get your cancelled friends to do voices with you.
Bout time you posted another episode. Where you been, my dude?
She did just fine! Also, Clifton, I missed my weekly dose of being called Beautiful.
good stuff
You don't have to hold the grudge, or hate some one. But you should always use some one's actions to take the measure of a (hu)man. Once you have their measure you see more of their true face.
***SUGGESTION FOR MUTUAL PROJECT: A RE-MAKE OF FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS as a musical. Laura = Maria (Ingrid Bergman). Clifton = Robert (Gary Cooper) . Break a leg. With love.