Casting Knowledge- How?

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 6:03pm

Does Broadway not care anymore about keeping casting a secret? About wanting it to be a surprise and everyone has to know everything right away, whether or not it has been officially confirmed? And then all of these "sources"- Sweaty Oracle, random people who think they know cast members but have this weird para-social relationship with them? Why does everything have to be known right away? Yes, I have asked about Wicked replacements. I have asked about theories or dream casting. I have not asked or demanded to know. I have not pestered anyone affiliated with productions. I am close with one producer, but I wouldn't dream of asking him if he knows anything casting wise. Why does everyone else need to know? Is it for clout so they can brag about knowing? Can someone explain? Aren't there NDAs in place?

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 6:10pm

Some productions intentionally leak casting. Not always, but it happens. And not just producers: marketing, PR, company managers, costumers, technicians. Lots of people are involved in a production’s life and learn news before the general public. Not everything is under NDA and not everyone is as tight-lipped as they should be. People talk.

On the inverse, people also make things up and some people leak casting before contracts are signed and things fall through. There have been always been bits of casting rumors that never come to fruition, but may nevertheless be “true” at the time they were leaked. Or not.

Talking about casting is part of the entertainment industry, not just theatre. It always has been. Don’t take it so seriously, and definitely always take it with a grain of salt.

Updated On: 1/20/25 at 06:10 PM

[inception]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 6:41pm

The only thing worse than being talked about, is when no one is talking about you.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 7:50pm

I think the star-casting process confuses a lot of people including some who work in the industry.

Like if a rumor comes out that says "they're considering Jason Sudeikis or Paul Giamatti for Herbie," that's not really what's happening. They may be considering who to offer the part to first, but those offers can only happen one at a time. You can't go to Paul until Jason says no. That no could take a day or weeks; or he might actually consider it, maybe it gets as far as a meeting with the director or a 'music work session', and then they get into negotiations, and then it eventually falls apart. And then you're back to square one.

Do I believe Miley Cyrus has been offered the role of Sally Bowles? Yes, absolutely. But are they remotely close to making a deal for her to star in it? WHO KNOWS!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 11:18pm

When it comes to star casting, I think it naturally gets discussed by a lot of people both involved in the production and who are members of the actor's "team" (agent, manager, etc.). Lots of offers are made and negotiations are going back and forth. Plus it generates a lot of excitement and people like to then share the gossip with industry friends (even though they probably shouldn't). This is why I think when negotiations are happening with well-known actors the information often gets leaked. 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 2:25am

One just has to look at Banderas name being thrown around for Evita, truth or not it sells tickets, before the cast is announced.