Swing Joined: 12/30/13
Why did they not choose Megan Hilty? she would have been great for the role. I am shocked they choose a pop star. They might as well have chosen Will I Am its basically the same they are both not suitable for the role. Its the worst thing to happen in years.
Updated On: 12/30/13 at 07:01 PM
I'm going to give it a chance. But, was Rachel Potter even considered as a replacement? Her and Laura have similar voices and charisma
Updated On: 12/30/13 at 07:05 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
One thing I will say is that this decision is certainly getting people to talk about the production. They talked about it on my local evening news, and they never mention anything Broadway or theater related.
as for her performance, maybe it'll be a Reba situation, rather than a Carrie Underwood one.
I've looked at two Wednesday Matinees and there is a notice that Carly Rae is not scheduled to perform. Will she have a reduced schedule?
From Telecharge:
"Carla Rae Jepsen will not be performing at the following performances: Wednesday - February 5 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - February 8 @ 8pm, Saturday - February 15 @ 8pm, Sunday - February 16 @ 2pm, Wednesday - February 19 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - February 22 @ 8pm, Wednesday - February 26 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 1 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 5 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 8 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 12 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 15 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 19 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 22 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 26 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 29 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 3 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 5 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 10 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 12 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 17 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 19 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 24 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 26 @ 8pm"
WOW. That seems like a lot of shows considering she is only in the show for 12 weeks. The performances also seem to be popular ones for tourists/families; Saturday nights and Wednesday matinees. Is this normal for stunt casting?
Updated On: 12/30/13 at 11:15 PM
Wow. It seems like they don't want her in the public eye that much, making it a rotating performance schedule between the understudy and her. I'm guessing they want to see how she does in the role before letting her perform "full-time".
I don't know, I have a feeling this is going to end up like the situation with Craig Bierko in Matilda...
Updated On: 12/30/13 at 11:37 PM
Chorus Member Joined: 2/17/09
Well that's actual exciting that she won't be performing as much... Jessica Hershberg joins the cast next week as an ensemble member and Cinderella understudy! So hopefully she'll get to go on a lot. Even though Santino won't be there, of course :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
Wait, really? I absolutely adore Jessica Hershberg. Had no clue that she is the new understudy.
Chorus Member Joined: 2/17/09
Yup!! It's on her website! I'm assuming it will be announced next week? She joins on Jan 7th. Taking over for Heidi Giberson who's going to Les Mis!
Which is also exciting, because her and Santino will overlap for a couple weeks.. It would be kinda interesting if they went on as the leads together...
Understudy Joined: 8/1/13
Carly is never doing more than 6 performances a week during her entire run. And only one 2 show day. Maybe she's worried about her vocals?
Telecharge also lists the final performance for Laura Osnes and Harriet Harris as January 26. Rebecca Luker leaves January 19. It's nice Laura will get one final week with Victoria Clark who returns January 21.
Telecharge
Updated On: 12/31/13 at 12:17 AM
Swing Joined: 12/31/13
I love how they're already questioning her ability. I'll be going to the performances Carly Rae's not performing in. I wouldn't want to see her even if it was free.
"Why did they not choose Megan Hilty? she would have been great for the role."
I love Megan Hilty and she is very talented, but she is so not right for the role. At least Carly Rae is the right type.
"I love how they're already questioning her ability. I'll be going to the performances Carly Rae's not performing in. I wouldn't want to see her even if it was free."
I'm sure her performing a 6 show a week schedule was part of the discussion from the beginning stages so I really don't think it has anything to do with them questioning her ability. But thanks for your thorough assessment of her strengths and weaknesses in this role.
Wow, the days that Carly is gone are really ridiculous. I don't know if it's her or the producers. If it's because of music reasons, fine. But, this is BROADWAY. You don't take day offs at all except illness or emergencies. You auditioned and beat it over better women (I am giving her a chance because of her training), now work like they would work.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
I don't believe Carly auditioned for the role. I am sure the part was offered and negotiated to her.
Featured Actor Joined: 5/9/13
I'm not sure why they even offered it to her. Was Kristen Bell not available? I'm sure the producers had thought about her in the process.
By the way, her performance in Frozen was fantastic!
Updated On: 12/31/13 at 12:04 PM
A new Cinderella
A new age about to begin
A new Cinderella
The voice of the people
Has actually been denied because they cast Carly Rae Jepsen
This whole Carly Rae thing seems to be working. I'm on vacation in Florida for the holiday's, a local radio station played "Call Me Maybe" and followed it with mentioning she's making her Broadway debut in Cinderella and adding "tickets can be found at cinderellaonbroadway.com". Free marketing? Check.
Kristen Bell couldn't do it because of her Off-Broadway show
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
I love how everyone is throwing around names that probably weren't even considered available or not. Robyn Goodman and her team wanted a pop star, one that would sustain the show through the summer. They negotiated, they made the offer, offer accepted, and the rest is history.
Also, she'll be doing 6 performances a week. Probably a good idea for someone who hasn't performed a lead role on Broadway before. Insurance in case she gets sick she at least only has to get through one performance a day.
Updated On: 12/31/13 at 11:25 PM
Her performance schedule is just odd. SIX performances, and the ones she is missing are all very high profile.....especially the notable absences from Saturday nights.
Cinderella sells much better on Saturday matinees than evenings (not surprising, considering it's a family show). If she's only going to be doing one performance a day, it makes sense to have it be the matinee.
"Robyn Goodman and her team wanted a pop star, one that would sustain the show through the summer."
JohnnyBroadway, you are right though you probably meant to say sustain the show through the winter, not the summer. CRJ's contract is for 12 weeks. The show does fine on its own during the summer, and hey,maybe Laura will return after a 12 week break, who knows?
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