I haven't heard any news about who the new Nellie Forbush will be, so I assume Kelli extended her contract. If that's the case, how long will she be staying?
She isn't leaving on the 4th.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
Why is the cast fleeing this show?
Because their contracts are up and they'd like to move on to other projects?
Well, now is not the time to leave your hit Broadway show unless you already have something really good lined up. The economy is so bad I couldn't even get a Christmastime job at Toys R Us.
She extended until July 5th. I'm seeing it April 9th! Yayyy!! =)
I don't think the cast is fleeing. Szot left for a while because of previous commitments and he'll be back. Morrison is leaving, but the rest of the principals are all still there, aren't they?
But one thing to remember is that most shows open with the leads signed to a contract of at least six months. This show couldn't do that. Contracts had to renegotiated when it was extended, which was also when the contract under which it was produced changed to a regular Broadway contract from a LORT contract.
Even now the leads are probably making less than they might be in a commercial show, partly because the theatre is relatively small so the grosses aren't all that high and partly because it's produced by a nonprofit. And it has a very big cast and the largest orchestra on Broadway.
Wait, what? When did O'Hara extend? That's such good news, as I am seeing it in February and though Szot will be back by then, I just assumed I would have someone else instead of Kelli. This makes me smile.
You can't assume that the actors CHOSE to leave anyway. Matt Morrison I believe is leaving to do "Glee".
Is that the sitcom that he and Lea Michele were on that got picked up?
I know that Lisa Howard from the OBC left for 9 to 5.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/08
"She extended until July 5th. I'm seeing it April 9th! Yayyy!!"
...and then, there's hope for me, yet! Next, some serious planning to return to NYC and see this (I REALLY want to see Kelli in this one).
Yes to the Matt Morrison question and Glee.
And there was just another article about a few more replacements being cast....of course, now I can't find it.
And yes...we seldom know if a cast member leaving at the end of their contract is truly their choice or not. It's not suprising that so many of their contracts are "up" at the same time.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/4/06
I don't think Kelli will be in the show until July. I'd give it till maybe March.
So she'll still be in it on April? I'll be in NYC then I'd love to see Kelli as Nellie again.
If you want to see Kelli, see it soon...just sayin.
Updated On: 1/10/09 at 06:44 PM
Any word on who's replacing her?
March is being generous.
My guess is that she'll be gone shortly after Paulo Szot returns next month.
It's listed on her website that she's now contracted till July 5th. Yayy =)
People have said she'll be leaving much sooner. Updated On: 1/11/09 at 04:14 AM
Here's the link.
http://www.kelliohara.com/
And yes, it says she'll be playing the role until July 5, 2009.
Yes she did sign until July but she will be leaving soon and hopefully coming back, if she wants to.
never mind Updated On: 1/15/09 at 11:20 PM
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