Just received an email about it now.
https://www.theatermania.com/news/brendan-fraser-returns-to-the-stage-in-new-samuel-d-hunter-play-grangeville_1749596/
Thrilling casting. I love Hunter’s work and am very ready for this one.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
Only a matter of time before Hunter finally gets his Broadway debut, the better question is which play will it be
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/29/14
Paul Sparks replaces Brendan Fraser...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEf1OMzvF7i/?img_index=1
This is one of the shows I've been looking forward to the most. Can't wait until next month.
https://signaturetheatre.org/show/grangeville/
yyys said: "Paul Sparks replaces Brendan Fraser...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEf1OMzvF7i/?img_index=1"
Well, looks like I’m returning my tickets.
Fraser made this an EVENT for me, and now I have really no desire to see it. No shade to Hunter or Sparks
Fraser off-Broadway did feel like a really big get, but I'm not too upset. I really do adore Samuel Hunter's work, and if this is anywhere near as thrilling as his last play at Signature (A Case for the Existence of God), I'll be more than pleased.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/9/11
I was looking forward to this with the original casting.
But Paul Sparks is always so great on stage i think I'm more excited now!
Leading Actor Joined: 5/6/16
Not to speculate but it did seem like Brendan meant he almost stopped acting except for the whale. I think effectively this could be an unannounced retirement from acting.
Fraser has three films in production.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/6/16
I'm not saying he'll abandon every commitment, but he has indicated a slow down
rg7759 said: "Not to speculate but it did seem like Brendan meant he almost stopped acting except for the whale. I think effectively this could be an unannounced retirement from acting."
I recall his sentiment being something more along the lines of “I was thinking about quitting acting and then I got THE WHALE and it reignited my career and my interest in acting.”
His leaving the project is certainly bad for Signature which is having financial problems. Paul Sparks is a great actor but rather overexposed in New York theater and has never been a star who draws meaningful numbers of people.
rg7759 said: "I'm not saying he'll abandon every commitment"
That is literally what you suggested lol
Him leaving is a bummer, I already tickets to take my mom
Signature was good about refunding my tix. They’ll also swap into another production if you want.
Jordan Catalano said: "Signature was good about refunding my tix. They’ll also swap into another production if you want."
I’ll get in touch with them, Jordan. Thanks!
Leading Actor Joined: 5/6/16
TotallyEffed said: "rg7759 said: "I'm not saying he'll abandon every commitment"
That is literally what you suggested lol
Him leaving is a bummer, I already tickets to take my mom"
What I implied is he won't take new projects. Not abandon more existing ones
I was interested by Brendan Fraser being cast in this, but my primary interest in seeing it is to see a new Samuel D. Hunter play. My excitement about seeing Brendan Fraser live wasn't that high, really, I guess. My hunch is that Paul Sparks may be a strong, if less market-friendly, replacement.
Wow no love for Brian J Smith?
I don't think this thread reflects negatively on Brian. The current subject is the replacement, and Brian is not a part of that. I like him and think he will be very good with either. Personally, I like Sparks better than Fraser and I don't think either sells all that many tickets. I also suspect that the fingerprints of Fraser's new/old agents are on this story. But what do I know?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
I think Brendan leaving RIGHT before rehearsal started is a huge blow to Signature.
But also Samuel D. Hunter is one of the most consistent writers of our time so really not sure why some people on this thread are returning their tickets (unless the plan is to buy cheaper tickets later?)
I am a huge fan of Sam Hunter and will absolutely buy tickets to this again. But I knew it would never be discounted with Fraser and so I paid full price. Now I am quite confident I can get a TDF ticket.
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