Deloris in Sister Act?

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:10am

I was under the impression that Patina Miller was meant to come to New York with Sister Act as Deloris, but I just saw an open casting call for the role on Playbill.com:

http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/32211.html

Anyone know anything about Patina not making the move?

[Sharon Lover]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:17am

I pray they get LaChanze!!!!

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:36am

Could it be for a standby?

[aliceripleystheshiz]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:38am

I love Patina on the cast album...hoping she'll make her way over here with the show.

[HistoryBoy2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:38am

Even if they got LaChanze, would we ever get her?

No, I'm fairly sure Patina Miller will be staying.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:39am

Zaks is directing this? Since when? I thought Peter Schneider did it in London.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:00pm

Zaks was announced a while ago.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:06pm

Plus Schneider remained director just in credit, others have written on here that the show was actually staged by someone else since Schneider was quickly fired.
I'm hoping that the change of directors doesn't mean a change in Deloris. People on ATC are also saying there's a rumor she won't be making the move (but I think they are also basing it off the casting notice).
Two things, could it be for a stand-by? Or could it just be some Equity technicality that tells them they need to advertise the role even if it has been cast? Can someone shed light on this, I just can't imagine Patina Miller not making the move, it seems like she gave a star-making performance in London and it'd be really strange for them to hire an American actress, take her to London and then keep her from doing the Broadway run.
LaChanze looks gorgeous for her age but she's too old for the role as written.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:20pm

Could it be for a standby?

That was my thought as well. The role certainly seems large enough to warrant a full-time standby, as opposed to someone out of the ensemble.

That being said, IF they are re-casting it, Merle Dandridge would be a fabulous choice. Updated On: 8/25/10 at 12:20 PM

[algy]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:22pm

Would a standby get that sort of salary though? I'll admit to not having a clue about rates for this sort of thing in the UK let alone the states - but I'm sure there are those of you over there in NY who do have the knowledge!

[Tag]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:45pm

Algy if you are referring to the $1605/week minimum posted in the casting notice, then yes that is the minimum amount a performer makes in a Broadway house.
Updated On: 8/25/10 at 12:45 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:51pm

I don't know if that's what this particular notice is referring to, but they are casting a standby for Deloris for the Broadway production.

My guess is that, while Miller will ultimately end up making the move, they probably haven't negotiated her contract yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they're exploring other options to play hard ball with her.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 12:53pm

If they were looking for a stand-by it would say that, and if it were part of the required EPAs it would not be an open call. It could just be Jerry Zaks wants to explore his options.

[algy]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:45pm

I always forget the exchange rate - but that just seemed like a mega amount of money to me. But I guess I've got no idea what a decent salary is for you guys!

Thanks Tag!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:09pm

I would imagine the only reason Miller wouldn't be coming to Broadway with this is if the producers had cold feet and were trying to get a star to play the role. A star meaning - Jennifer Hudson's calibre or higher. It doesn't make sense to believe they would replace Patina who got fabulous reviews in London for another unknown actress.

[dontevenstart]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 11:25am

It's called a publicity stunt!

Remember when they did this for Spiderman?! Were Jen Damiano or Reeve Carney found through this audition? No!

Remember when they did this for Shrek? Were Brian D'Arcy James or Chester Gregory/Daniel Breaker found through this?

Could a job result out of this? Yes! Patina is coming, but they obviously need an understudy or standby. And if the show is successful, they will need replacements. Telsey also casts plenty of other shows that someone could get a job out of going to this audition.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 1:02pm

I wouldn't call it a publicity stunt, lol. I'm sure they are genuinely in need of future powerhouse talent for this role, for (as mentioned) standbys and replacements. They are, I'm sure, expecting this to run for a while, and want to start the search before they're two steps behind.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 1:30pm

I hope Patina will still open the show on Broadway.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/26/10 at 5:42pm

"It's called a publicity stunt!

Remember when they did this for Spiderman?! Were Jen Damiano or Reeve Carney found through this audition? No!

Remember when they did this for Shrek? Were Brian D'Arcy James or Chester Gregory/Daniel Breaker found through this?

Could a job result out of this? Yes! Patina is coming, but they obviously need an understudy or standby. And if the show is successful, they will need replacements. Telsey also casts plenty of other shows that someone could get a job out of going to this audition."

Equity has specific rules about the wording of audition notices. If this audition was for a standby/understudy only then it would have to state that. Because this is listed as an open call for the role of Deloris that means while Patina Miller may be in negotiations to come over an official offer has either not been made or an offer has been made but has still not been accepted.

The cynical part of me agrees with somethingwicked. It would not be out of the question for the producers to do something like this not so much for the publicity but as a way to force a (maybe difficult?) contract negotiation to completion, with the producers coming out ahead with the terms that they want.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 8/27/10 at 12:02am

Somehow I don't think Whoopi would want to recast the role.