I do not think that Kelsey Grammer is coming back. I think that they are negotaiting a way to give him a graceful exit without sorely impacting the show
maybe Grammer does return for a few months just to fulfill his contract? It is only two weeks that Warlow is extending.
Maybe this is as long as Warlow was willing to extend? He's performing on a cruise that begins in October (coincidentally, stepping in for someone else there, though that was due to pregnancy).
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/music-theatre-star-anthony-warlow-to-headline-a-performing-arts-cruise-of-the-south-pacific/story-fni0fcgk-1227363855316
http://chooseyourcruise.tv/bravo2/anthony-warlow
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
I think that Kelsey probably does have some contract agreement he has to fulfill. It seems to be 50/50 right now, but he may be back for a limited time. When he signed a contract to do the show he must have signed on for a year probably with a vacation option like he took. The only reason he may be reluctant to return is because it is tiring for him at 60 to be switching different parts and going through very fast changes and transitions. We'll see what happens but I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that he comes back. I would still LOVE to see the show with him. :)
Kelsey has more may than God at this point, so he probably told them to tear up his contract and make a clean break, they'll probably safe a ****load of bucks anyway. Doubt his absence has made an impact in sales.
I think Anthony Warlow had been booked for the cruise in Oct. before he took Finding Neverland. That's why he has to leave at the end of this month. My friend asked him at the stage door one or two weeks ago when was his final performance. He replied he didn't know the exact date either cos they didn't tell him, and he didn't know when Kelsey Grammer was gonna be back. Well, it's kind of a mess from the start to the end. They might want to give Kelsey Grammer a graceful exit but it's unfair to Anthony Warlow IMO. I doubt if they could get Kelsey back or get anther replacement before Anthony goes back to Australia.
Updated On: 9/9/15 at 12:02 AMBroadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
Now what do you guys mean when you say that they might be negotiating a "graceful exit" for Kelsey? At this point, don't you think that the only graceful exit would be if he returned for a little while but they announced it as a limited run? I think either way if they just announced he wasn't coming back at all it would have the same feeling no matter how they announced it to the general public and the press. Either way, we'll all survive though, lol.
Understudy Joined: 9/9/15
I saw the show last month and when I attended the show Morrison and Grammer (obviously because he was on a leave of absence) were not performing that evening. I wanted to see the show again because I loved it so much and I wanted to see it with the original cast. So when I ordered tickets for the show on the 23rd a few weeks ago and I called the box office and spoke to a woman on the phone. I expressed my disappointment about how Grammer's leave of absence wasn't very public and in fact when I ordered the tickets I was unaware he would not be performing over the summer. So I had asked if on the 23rd if Kelsey would be back and her exact words were "we can't guarantee the original cast will perform, but as of right now everyone (Morrison, Grammer and Kelly) is scheduled to perform." I don't understand why they are keeping this quiet. I think his connection to the show should be posted on the main website because a majority of theatergoers are buying tickets to see him like my mom. Now what am I suppose to do? Let's say he come back by October and decides to do a limited run? Am I suppose to drop what I am doing to spend $100+ on tickets? This is very upsetting to me.
They took the banner featuring KG off the outside of the theatre, he's not on the site or in the playbill, there were numerous stories about Warlow coming in -- what about that wasn't clear to the public?
I'm not sure what kind of advice you're looking for, seeing as live theatre always comes with cast uncertainty, but you can start by saying "supposed to" instead if "suppose to."
Caitiecait92 said: "....I think his connection to the show should be posted on the main website because a majority of theatergoers are buying tickets to see him like my mom. Now what am I suppose to do? Let's say he come back by October and decides to do a limited run? Am I suppose to drop what I am doing to spend $100+ on tickets? This is very upsetting to me."
Did you check the website before you purchased the tickets?? Because Anthony Warlow is, indeed, listed on the website. There is nothing about Grammer returning on it. And unfortunately, I feel like Ticketmaster employees are less informed about cast changes and things than Telecharge employees.
Understudy Joined: 9/9/15
I did not check the website for information. The week before the tickets were purchased I was in the city and he was advertised at the theater. I'm not complaining because everybody needs a vacation from their job. Honestly I wanted to see the show and the story line. Seeing the celebrities in the show was an added bonus!
And it didn't speak to ticketmaster I spoke to the actually box office. I just think it's weird how a few weeks before his return they decide to release this information.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
When I called the box office a few weeks ago they said that his return date was unknown. She didn't sound like he wasn't coming back at all, and I remember her saying to check back on like the 20th of September. I had forgot about her saying that at first. Maybe that is when we'll hear an announcement on his return date or his replacement. My guess is if he returns it will be for a limited 1-2 month run so he could come back and then leave again without causing sour feelings for those who wanted to see him. We'll see.
It's just been announced that Anthony Warlow is starring in a production of Fiddler on the Roof opening in Melbourne on December 29, so he definitely will need to be back in Australia for that.
http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/anthony-warlow-star-fiddler-roof
Also thought this was interesting/fun/sad for me: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts/anthony-warlow-returns-to-australian-stage-for-fiddler-on-the-roof/story-fni0fcgk-1227523178087
The surprise announcement will come as a relief to Warlow’s army of Australian fans who faced the prospect of losing him permanently to the United States after a series of big roles there.
“No, that will never happen. I love working in Australia,” he told the Herald Sun from New York this week.
“I’ll go home and I’ll come back and I’ll go home. I have always said that I will come to this country (America) as a visitor and as an ambassador for what we have achieved in Australia. We have an incredible talent pool in Australia.”
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
If I had to guess, I would say that Anthony Warlow's final performance will be September 27th. The news we will be finding out is just who will be stepping into that infamous pirate suit and scalpel beginning the 29th. Do you think if Kelsey doesn't come back if they'll consider another name? It will be interesting to find out.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
Terrance Mann stepping in next??
Updated On: 9/15/15 at 01:59 PM
KathyNYC2 said: "Terrance Mann stepping in next??
Isn't he attached to Tuck Everlasting?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
I just read something on Tumblr (accuracy??)...but it seems like his daughter posted on social medial that he would be here for 3-4 months..maybe before Tuck?
I don't know for sure..I was hoping someone here could confirm..
I was actually quite excited I got to see anthony. And although after seeing it I could see Kelsey in the role Kelsey I'd not a draw for me in this show. The show is brilliant. Though Terrance Mann for my return visit in October would be fabulous.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/11
I hope these Terrence Mann rumors are true. I'd love to see him play the role!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
Box Office employees are probably the least-informed when it comes to cast changes, FYI.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/15
I've been waiting to see if Grammar would return but screw that! I want to see Terrence Mann. I'm still bitter about how under utilized he was in Addams family from when I saw it in Chicago (granted it was previews so no idea if they changed it)
I will see Tuck just for him. Les Mis was one of the first cast recordings I ever owned. I think I was in 5th or 6th grade. I used to listen to Stars on repeat. After I saw the show I would act out the whole show in my living room but my mom got mad I kept jumping off the coffee table...
Featured Actor Joined: 5/5/14
Terrence Mann stepping in would be amazing! Would definitely return to the show! Does anyone have any information about the rumor? Would love to know if it's true or not!
If these rumors are true and Terrence Mann will step in for a few months before Tuck, yeah.... yeah instant ticket buying the moment that news becomes official here. He might not be a "name" for those outside the community, but they have Matthew for that and if they see that their sales have not really suffered without Grammer, I am sure they would not mind letting him bow out and not have to pay was I am sure is an outrageous amount to have him in the show. And Terrence is a name for us that might just pull in those on the fence over the show or (as others have mentioned) pull back those that have already seen it. Like me. While I have been semi interested in the show a bit, this makes my meager interest go through the roof.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
While the grosses may not have suffered yet without Kelsey, he may be beneficial to the show for the fall even though he probably takes a higher fee. By October the show's grosses will proabably be in the low 700ks (just making a ballpark) his return may bring some people who would not know Terrence Mann (besides the Broadway community) to see the show. Again, this situation remains to be seen.
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