James Lapine Quotes

How little the public realizes what a girl must go through before she finally appears before the spotlight that is thrown upon the stage.

What about Broadway? Yes, I'm involved with a new musical based on 'The Adams Family.'

You must keep people happy backstage because that affects what's onstage. During a run, the playwright feels like the mayor of a small town filled with noble creatures who have to get out there and make it brand new every night. When a production works, it's unlike any other joy in the world.

I was in 'Hair,' which didn't work in London, but it was a show we all believed in.

A play is not a play until it's performed, and unless it's a one-person play that is acted, directed and designed by the author, many other people will be deeply involved in the complicated process that leads to its performance.

I'd always wanted to be on Broadway one day, but it seemed like a dream that might be unattainable. This business has a lot of ups and downs and I learned that pretty quickly.

I felt very insecure about whether I was up to recreating my stage 'Fagin' in front of a camera.

I think all actors have a similar deal. You want some people who understand. Although it looks great - and is great - there are also shoddy moments when you feel really rotten, and when it's going well, you're not allowed to complain.

I think on a bucket list for a performer is definitely doing a stage show, whether it's in Vegas or on Broadway or whatever.

Broadway is a tough, tough arena for singing.

The condition of being an actress can be unbearable.

I love actors, and I love the casting process. It's funny, like, some writers don't like actors because, I think, they are the faces of the show, and so you feel sort of secondary, but I love actors because they elevate the material; they make it better.

It's such a stressful environment, I find, being an actor, being put in the chair and 'Touch this, that, and the other,' it's too much for me. I find it hard to tolerate that sort of stuff. If you're not enjoying it, don't do it. You're wasting everyone's time.

The first show I ever did, singing and dancing, was 'Beauty and the Beast.' I was playing Gaston. Gaston has red tights, knee high boots, and it's very physical. I had headaches every day for two months.

I grew up very comfortable in this bizarre, circus-like existence, but, as comfortable as I was, I was also aware of the struggles that actors go through.

When you turn up for work, especially with looking down the barrel of a show, you're hoping the person you're acting opposite of is going to be on your kind of crazy wavelength.

If you take every challenge everyone has in their life and multiply it in severity you get what it's like in the life of an actor.

I played more performances of 'Chris' in 'Miss Saigon' than anyone else.

Being an actor can be a lonely life.

When I was 20 years old, I got cast in 'Spring Awakening' and got swept up in this experience where it was kind of tunnel vision. We were working - it was nonstop.

Some of my own books are being developed - one as a Broadway musical.

I nearly died twice after I replaced Michael Crawford in 'EFX.'

The hardest thing about acting is all of the other things you have to think about besides performing... Your image, your team, networking - not to mention the mental strength you need to be able to stay unaffected by the rejection that every actor experiences.

I think I understand why most actors and actresses are insane, because having to go through an emotional roller coaster as your job every day of your life would make somebody absolutely loopy.

I try not to write for actors because A, they're not the character, and B, it's really depressing when you don't get them.