Why doesn't Anneliese Van Der Pol work more?!

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Loved her in Beauty and the Beast, and though Vanities had a quick stay off broadway, her work on that album is really impressive! Always see her as the perfect Millie, other then Sutton of course! Also, she'd be a great Elphaba! Heard her do an interview once where she said she was seen 3 times for Glinda, but never got the role. Her voice is better for Elphaba, but ever since her Disney days she's typed as the funny friend. She is a leading lady full of potential. I know she's on the west coast, maybe that;s my answer, anyway I think she's brilliant! Thoughts...

[sephyr]

I wonder why too!! She's got the appeal, the voice that can sing contemporary and classic material, the comedic timing, and she's got clout. Hopefully she can originate a great role in the future.

[philly03]

Hasn't she done a few plays at La Jolla and Pasadena Playhouse? Seems to me she's based on the West Coast... I'm sure that has something to do with it.

[JohnyBroadway]

I'm surprised she hasn't played Mary Poppins.

[Owen22]

She really is fantastic. I often wonder the same thing. I've actually only seen her in Vanities (she was better in Pasadena than Second Stage, but only due to them trying to "fix" the show between cities which only managed to make the show slower, less fun and hollower. Not that it was brilliant in Pasadena, but it at least gave the actresses, especially Anneliese, more to chew on).

[BroadwayStar4]

I heard she's been auditioning left and right for Broadway, but never won any parts. Which is insane because she's extremely talented.

[rougeduck]

She's incredible. She's great in those hollywood tribute concerts...unfortunately that's the only thing she's in lately.

[Overkill]

She's definitely come a long way since her Disney days.

She's so amazingly talented. She played Eva Peron in a professional production of EVITA when she was only 12 years old. I came SO close to finding a tape of it, but alas, the trader (who was in the show) only had a VHS... *sigh*

She recently did a small revue in LA, For the Record: Tarantino in Concert, at Los Feliz's Show at Barre. AMAZING stuff. There are some videos on her YouTube page, and here's her rocking the hell out of "Bang Bang" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ0-ZI0Jdxo&feature=relmfu

I don't understand why she's supposedly having trouble landing another Broadway gig. I'm also surprised that she hasn't played Mary Poppins, yet. You'd think Disney would jump at the opportunity.

From her Facebook - for those of you in the area -
Anneliese is performing 8/3 & 8/4 in Broadway Under the Stars, in Sonoma, California!


BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS

[JohnyBroadway]

She played Eva when she was 16. Like I said above you would think Mary Poppins would be the obvious show for her with ties with Disney and all. She also has the perfect look and voice, and bring great sincerity to the role, but I also read that she's gone through quite a few calls for wicked.

[bk]

She did one of our monthly Kritzerland shows in LA about four months ago - she was terrific and great to work with. She does, of course, live in LA.

[Overkill]

Thanks for correcting me, JohnyBway! I meant for that to be 14, but I still would have needed to be corrected. lol

[FindingNamo]

I think she needs to change her name.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Would like to see her do Eva again, let's get her to replace Elena!

[newintown]

I think she needs to put on some pants.

[jamiekennywicked]

She's one incredibly talented woman. I too am surprised she hasn't played Mary Poppins. I suggested in a Side Show thread a few weeks back she'd be a great Violet or Daisy

[JulesReverie]

Anastasia, she'd be great for that.

[beautywickedlover]

"Anastasia, she'd be great for that."

I also thought of that and I think she should play Mary Robert in the national tour of 'Sister Act' or if 'Into the Woods' transfers to Broadway, she could play Cinderella.

[Overkill]

Perfection for Anastasia. I would love to see that happen.

I remember when Sister Act was coming to Broadway, and we were all casting it, as we do, and Anneliese's name came up a TON for Mary Robert. If they had brought her in with Raven, that would have been something!

[BwayGeek2]

I was completely unfamiliar with her work until I saw her in VANITIES, and she was great.
I know she just played THE HEIRESS at Pasadena a month or two ago and think that would have been fascinating to see; needless to say, she never plays that type of role in NYC (at least thus far!).

[pretendworld]

Sister Act should had JUMPED on casting her along with Raven. i think people would of eaten it up. theres a video on her Youtube joking how she was the token jew on TSR and how the black girl got a role on Sister Act. it was pretty funny.

but i don't get why she hasn't gotten another Broadway gig. shes had a crap load of call backs and nothing. i'd still love to see her in Chicago. she should consider a move (at least temporary to NY) because i'd hate to see her get stuck doing dinner theater.

anyway, i'm totally obsessed with her Youtube channel. she has a video up where she belts the hell out of Garbage's #1 Crush.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I'm curious about something. How well has she worked with others in previous shows? To what extent does that matter, when it comes to casting a show? I'm sure there's a grapevine where such things are talked about. The only thing I remember about her, during her "Beauty and the Beast" run is some board discussion about some problematic issues with stage dooring. from RC in Austin, Texas

[BrookeTansley]

Anneliese is a good friend who works all of the time, doing the work she wants to do. What she isn't doing is doing the work you want her to do, or working for fame or money. She doesn't need the money. She is an artist.

[PalJoey]

I hope it's not because of her Tweets!

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Brooke,
Didn't mean to imply anything. Merely suggesting I was a fan of her work and hoped she would return to NYC soon! I can see from other posts many other people agree. Hope to see her back on the East Coast soon! She's a delight to watch!

[THDavis]

All we said was that she was extremely talented and we'd love to see her tear up Broadway. I don't see how that's a bad thing.

[Overkill]

Methinks Brooke only read the title of the thread...