Grease Tour Casting

I know that Bridie Carroll has been cast as Jan. She played Tracy Turnbald (HAIRSPRAY) and Martha Cox (HSM) at North Shore. She turned down the XANADU tour to do this tour.

---

I hear from a good source that Taylor Hicks will be reprising his role on the Grease tour

I'm shocked anyone legit would accept roles on this tour. From what I've heard their contracts might as well be non-eq.

There's an open call for ensemble people and small roles this week, so it's not entirely cast. They probably want a bunch of recent college grads who'll accept the minimum and not know how to negotiate. Honestly, I don't really blame them.

Apparently they've been having a hard time casting this since it's a Tier C tour with a one year contract and no out. Also, the minimum for a C tour is just over $1000 (plus per diem), which isn't terrible but compared to one could be getting on a full Production Contract, it's not that great a deal.

Taylor is indeed going on the tour as Teen Angel. Since Daniel Everidge will be rejoining the Broadway cast as Roger sometime this fall Will Blum will be leaving the Broadway cast to tour as Roger. Current Broadway Vince Fontaine Dominic Fortuna (I think I spelled his last name wrong) will be leaving the Broadway cast to join the tour.

---

I'm sure there are dozens of reasons. Daniel left the show because he tore his ACL. I believe it was always agreed that he would return once he was ready to do eight shows a week again. So whomever was cast in the role would have to leave upon Daniel's return. I'd imagine it was probably contracted up front.

As for Dominic - before Grease he had no real experience. Dinner theatre stuff but nothing major. I believe (but am not 100% sure) that Jeb Brown is returning once he's done whatever it is he's doing (a short run of a show I think). So, again, they had to get someone who would be willing to leave. Offering the tour isn't a bad way to do it. I miss Jeb though. Dominic, while a very nice guy, is unbelievable as Vince. I never bought someone like Marty having a crush on him.

Whether its a tour or not a leading role can be a great addition to someone's resume. Allie Schultz can stay in the ensemble with the Broadway show or be Rizzo on the tour. I'd imagine she took it to boost her resume.

I don't know the real details of people's contracts. This is just conjecture on my part. But I have known that Daniel would be back since he left in the spring. If I were a producer of this show I'd lure someone in as a temporary replacement by offering the tour. I'd also imagine that anyone leaving the show is probably getting close to what they made on Broadway if not a bit more.

---

Updated On: 10/3/08 at 12:33 PM

i just think in the case of GREASE, the contracts (job security) is pretty good. The show always sells. The last B'way revival ran a long time itself. The last non-union tour was pretty bad, but had million dollar weeks regularly.

i'm not judging anyone on their decision, i was just pointing out that the tour compensation, at least for some performers, had to be okay or they wouldn't leave NYC where they can audition daily for more prestigious roles (or ensemble slots in better shows).

Most folks in the bidness just kind of accept GREASE as one of those productions that is less "show" than "business".

---

The show always sells.

Not at all true.

---

If it means anything to the original poster or anyone else- I know one of the waitresses at Ellen's named "Erin" got cast in the tour. I think she's in the ensemble.

---

The current tour is selling well. At least it was not easy to get great seats.
Broadway Mouth: Modernizing Movie Musicals: Chapter 3 (Getting Singers to Sing)