Why do Broadway people not like Hollywood people to act on Broadway?
I wonder how Broadway felt when Ms. Anne Kimbell, star of MONSTER FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR and GIRLS AT SEA played roles on Broadway?
I think there's a long history of "animosity" (probably not the best word, but the only one that suits what I'm thinking about at the moment) since Hollywood began making movies and, at first, culled its talent from Broadway.
I'm sure, at first, it seemed exciting that a new industry was making countless new jobs available. My guess is that the film industry was not as forgiving as the stage in terms of how an actor "looked" and there were probably issues about using the face and body in ways different from stage acting (at that time).
At any rate, movies were not plays...and, thus, not the "thee-a-tuh". A bit of snobbishness was bound to set in...movie actors weren't REALLY acting in the eyes of theatrically trained folk.
Of course, some theater folks did beautifully and worked successfully in both media....but others didn't translate as well. Those who did work in film were bemused about film actors not knowing all their lines before starting to film...and even more bemused when they didn't always get all their lines up front. And movies weren't shot chronologically...so acting for film was necessarily different than it was in the theater.
Generally, actors who started on Broadway (or in theater, internationally) weren't much criticized when they went out West to make a film.
Actors who'd never worked in theater were generally viewed negatively when they attempted stage work. Of course, those who persevered and didn't call attention to themselves and "won over" their fellow thespians with hard work and determination got respect, eventually.
Still...the movie celebrities going to Broadway (and taking starring roles in shows) haven't always been welcome with open arms because they havent actually "paid their dues" the way many stage actors have.
