Does anyone know about contract extensions?

[TampaNative]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 1:58pm

I am new to this website and have a question about if performers often receive contract extension...I will be traveling to NYC in October and have tickets for Jersey Boys. I see that John Lloyd Young's contract ends on Oct. 6. Are the actors traditionally offered extensions?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 1:59pm

Well JLY won a TONY and more than likely he will be offered a contract extension. All the rest of the Jersey Boys will be offered and extension as well.

[TampaNative]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 2:08pm

Thanks...I hope I will be able to see the original group! I have never had an opportunity to see an original cast - on Broadway! I do get to the theater here in Tampa to see many of the national tours.

[QOM]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 2:43pm

A lot of times, they resign for a year but they then have "outs" in their contracts. For example, Jesse Tyler Ferguson of Spelling Bee had signed for another year last April but then was able to exercise his "out" clause when he was offered his upcoming television show. So even though many extend, they can still get out of it a lot of the time.

[TampaNative]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 3:07pm

Do their understudies usually get the roles?

[TampaNative]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 3:11pm

Thank you for the information...how soon before their contracts end are they offered extensions?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 3:24pm

They are offered extensions usually 1-3 months in advance. Understudies or Standby's may get their roles or they might bring in diferent people to do the role.

[TampaNative]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 3:32pm

Any word on what John Lloyd Young or any of the cast members have ahead for them in the future? I never, ever purchase an original cast recording until after I have seen a musical, but Jersey Boys really intrigued me...what a great cast!

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 7:57pm

I don't know JLY, but I would guess that he has a Tony bump in his contract (which means he got a raise in pay for winning the Tony...it's pretty standard). So the incentive to stay is significant.

With or without a bump, though, a Tony-winning star can often negotiate a much higher salary once their first contract is up. So the chances of seeing him are good. And if his contract is up in October, I'd bet a hundred dollars they've already started renegotiating.

If someone sees the show, just ask him at the stage door...he probably has an idea of whether he'll be in the show past October.
Updated On: 7/22/06 at 07:57 PM

[snazzier]

Posted: 7/22/06 at 8:47pm

TampaNative-
John Lloyd has expressed interest in touring with Jersey Boys, but that has yet to be negotiated. Also, Tituss Burgess will be leaving the show next Sunday, the 30th. He has been cast as the Cowardly Lion in The Wiz at La Jolla.

[TampaNative]

Posted: 7/23/06 at 7:27am

Yes, I read about Tituss Burgess leaving the show.

I guess I'll just keep checking back to see if there is any news about the cast...wish I had made better plans, but my husband wanted to see the fall foliage, so we figured the end of Oct. would be better for that. We don't have a fall season here, so that's what drove our trip...he's never been to NYC.

I'll probably catch the tour if it comes through Tampa as well.

You have all been so helpful...thanks!