Grant Gustin to depart WATER FOR ELEPHANTS on September 1st

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 9:42am

Replacement casting to be announced

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Grant-Gustin-Will-Depart-WATER-FOR-ELEPHANTS-on-September-1-20240627

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 9:48am

I just said on the Boop thread that it would be a nice fit for the Imperial assuming Elephants closes in January… could it be a sooner shutter now, dependent on who they get as the next Jacob?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 9:49am

Not even 6 months on B'way.  Odd.  Wonder what TV offer came up?  

 

[FreddyMyLove2]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 9:50am

Aaron Tveit casting is imminent. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 9:52am

dramamama611 said: "Not even 6 months on B'way. Odd. Wonder what TV offer came up?

"

If I’m not mistaken, a six month contract is usually inclusive of rehearsals/tech, and since this started in late February, this actually makes sense. That’s probably all they got him for.

Out-There Casting Theory: Ryan Vasquez could take over for Grant if The Notebook ends up shuttering before Labor Day. (Granted, Ryan could also leave at any point)

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 9:56am

Chris Wood, please!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 10:00am

dramamama611 said: "Not even 6 months on B'way."

Or, as I like to say, gone in a Flash. 

 

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 10:01am

Thought he was just fine, so I don’t think it’s too much of a loss, but I think that’s partially because he didn’t get the best material.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 10:07am

Oh, I agree, he was "fine" - nothing more, nothing less. 

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 10:21am

He commented on Water’s Insta post saying catch him before he goes home to welcome baby number 2. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 11:34am

dramamama611 said: "Not even 6 months on B'way. Odd. Wonder what TV offer came up?"

I'm assuming his contract was always slated to end September 1, to get them through the first part of the run.

Since they do not advertise him, I think he has a negligible impact on the box office. It's a fine role but not a great role. Replacing him with someone like Ryan Vasquez would be ideal and might save them a bit of money on the running cost too.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 4:28pm

Gustin will also be out of the show July 7-10 and August 11-13, per his farewell Insta post. 

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 6/27/24 at 4:41pm

I am a fan of Gustin’s but didn’t think he was good in W4E. He was the weakest of the principals. I would be surprised if this has any effect on the box office. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/28/24 at 2:53am

In fairness to Grant Gustin, I bet he sold a lot of tickets to his ''Flash'' fandom, and his name helped ''Water for Elephants'' distinguish itself from the pack of new musicals, as opposed to having an unknown lead. Also, kudos to Gustin for making his Broadway debut in a NEW musical, as opposed to a tried-and-true revival. Gustin played Jacob, the young hero, which isn't always the most exciting part. If you've seen the movie of ''Water for Elephants,'' it's the ringmaster who has the best role, and why Paul Alexander Nolan got the best notices.

Updated On: 6/28/24 at 02:53 AM

[vikingbarns]

Posted: 6/28/24 at 8:24am

YO

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/28/24 at 8:34am

The show is doing pretty well at the box office. I don't know if that's directly related to Gustin, but he got a huge round of entrance applause the night I saw the show. (No other principal did.) I thought he was fine -- nothing special -- but as others have said, it's admirable he decided to headline a new musical for his Broadway debut. I wish him well.