Maude Apatow is being criticized for her Off-Broadway debut. Image Source: New York Daily News
Maude Apatow is being criticized for her Off-Broadway debut.
Maude Apatow, the Euphoria star who is set to make her Off-Broadway debut in Michael Mayers' "Little Shop of Horrors," is being chastised for being cast in the show, and the debate over "Nepo Babies" has resurfaced.
Maude Apatow who was highly appreciated for her portrayal of Lexi Howard in Euphoria is now gearing up to portray Audrey in the production that starts from February 7 to April 2 and for which she has succeeded. Tony Award winner Lena Hall. Michael Mayers said in a declaration that he has long applauded Maude Apatow's emotional maturity and vulnerability on television and in films and that she is an organic fit for the role of Audrey.
Michael went on to say how excited he is to learn that Little Shop was Maude's gateway into her lifelong passion for performing as a child and that this show will be her professional-level debut. Finally, he voiced his delight at having her as a part of the Little Shop legacy. Producer Robert Ahrens said in a statement that they are overjoyed to welcome another incredible performer to the show adding that with Maude's lovely voice and tremendous talent, they absolutely can not wait to see how the actress lights up the stage alongside Matt Doyle's portrayal of Seymour.
While the show's director and producer are delighted to have the actress join them, fans are less thrilled, with one critique remarking that it's nice to see nepo babies thrive when many of the great actors who do not have a famous parent or are related to anyone in the industry can't. Maude Apatow, the daughter of Hollywood power couple Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, was featured alongside many other actors and actresses with industry contacts in New York Magazine's viral covert story about how Hollywood is obsessed with Nepo kids.
Under Playbill's announcement, a couple of users commented that it's primarily Nepo Babies Season, and another user quoted Broadway legend Patti LuPone as saying that Broadway is turning into a Disneyland for the rich. Another user commented that they are sick of nepo babies gaining all the breaks while good hard working, better-trained, and much more skilled actors are passed over, noting that Maude Apatow simply just has a well-known surname!
Others, on the other hand, defended the casting of Maude. A user said that as a former Broadway actor, he can tell people that star casting like this helps to sell tickets and bring in new audiences. This benefits the entire cast and crew because it is never about one person. Another person said that Sutton Foster could play the role and people might well continue to have something to say, Maude is going to be amazing! They added that people should stop acting as if they have the authority to pass judgment on someone they have never seen on Broadway.
Maude Apatow took to her social media to share the news of her Off-Broadway debut by writing that when she was six years old, her cool older neighbor was in a rogue production of Little Shop of Horrors and added that it was the first musical she ever saw and even though the cast was 11, it blew her mind. Maude mentioned that musical theater has always been her greatest joy in life and she feels so so so beyond lucky and honored to be joining this INCREDIBLE production and can’t wait to see everyone at the show.
According to Page Six, the stunt casting has a rich history in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, which is the method by which a well-known character who is not trained in musical theater — boosts ticket sales. Maude, in contrast, hand, has a background in theater.
During an interview with Net-a-Porter in September, the 25-year-old actress addressed the Nepo baby controversy, saying that she tried not to allow it to get the best of her because she acknowledges she is in a fortunate position, but she is also centered on continuing to make good work.
