Stunt Casting...Why does it work?

[Chita1933]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 12:46pm

Any ideas? I have a couple but I'd like to hear what you guys and gals think.

*and I guess I am referring to stunt casting which uses celebrities that might not make the cut as unknowns.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 12:52pm

Because if a broadway show isn't a "hit" (and most aren't), it gives audiences a little more incentive to see the lousy show. Tourists love to "do the math" and try to place the z-list celebrity staring in whatever phoned-in show they got stuck seeing because Wicked isn't on the boards.

I would pay $120 to see Paris Hilton in anything on Broadway.

[avab802]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 12:56pm

Because seeing a celebrity in person gives people a cheap thrill. No one cares if said celebrity can act/sing/dance or if the show itself is any good. People will pay $100+ for the ticket just to be able to say they were mere feet away from the real live Julia Roberts.

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 8:26pm

Plenty of tourons venturing into NYC for the occaisional "theatre" experience look at Bwy cast lists and think to themselves "I've never heard of any of those people. They must not be any good". Back in the day Bwy stars became household names just by virtue of their stage appearances. Now the "mainstream media" pretty much chooses to ignore anything that happens on the Great White Way.

Putting a TV personage in front of them makes them think said actor is automatically worthy of their attention.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 10:31pm

Chevy, first of all I love the word "tourons", second I think you hit the nail right on the head. Well said!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 11:05pm

Why does it work?

It brings new audiences into the theater, creating larger profits.

Everything in theater is about money.

Except for non-profits. That's why Roundabout's production of Old Acquaintance is starring two theater professionals and not Demi Moore and Cameron Diaz. Updated On: 6/20/07 at 11:05 PM

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 6/20/07 at 11:37pm

because you touch yourself at night

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 12:09am

I believe our society has forgotten the theatre. I believe it is not relevant anymore in mainstream media, and to put a person who is in the "mainstream", gives the audience a jolt of interest and usually gets them interested. In turn, because of this jolt of interest; more ticket sales.

Updated On: 6/21/07 at 12:09 AM

[Act0r721]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 12:10pm

Haha, Carl.

Also, aside from just seeing them, they want to see if they do deserve their place on Broadway. People wanted to see "Three Days of Rain" so they could leave and criticize Julia Roberts. People wanted to see "Wicked" so they could leave and tell people, "Wow, I didn't know Ana could sing!" I'm not sure Ana is quiiite stunt casting because she is not a huge celeb, but still- you always hear people in the theater asking, "Isn't she that girl from SNL?"

I've thought of going to "The Color Purple" stagedoor here without seeing the show, just to get a picture with Michelle Williams. Creepy?

[Chita1933]

Posted: 6/21/07 at 12:39pm

NBC Reportedly Pays Paris $1 Mil For FIrst Post-Jail Interview

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no words.