If Hairspray and Chicago stopped doing stunt casting.

I was wondering. How long do you think that Chicago and Hairspray would last if they stopped stunt casting?

I know hairspray really hasn't done it as much or at least as long as chicago.

But, for Chicago after on celebrity leaves another one enters right away. It gives off the impression that the wesslers don't have enough faith in the show in and of itself that they have to constently put famous people in to keep it going. I personally feel that if they never put a famous person in the roles of Roxie and Billy again it would close faster then you can say chicago.

What do you think?

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I think Chicago could last for a while if they ceased stunt casting. Most of the celebrities lately have been far from A-list (I would say Usher is the exeption).
Most people know the movie and therefore the songs, just based on that Chicago would be able to remain open.
Also, keep in mind Chicago's weekly operating costs are extremely low.

Hairspray's "stunt" casting is almost laughable. It hasn't done much for the show as far as grosses are concerned. I think it's because they cast "celebrities" who aren't really celebrities. Chicago is worse, casting any no-talent hack with a recognizable name in the show. And it's such a short rotation that I wonder if they even need to bother stunt casting. I mean, other than the people here who might enjoy watching him fall on his face, does anyone in the general public really going to buy a ticket to see Chicago because Joey Lawrence is in it?

SO how do you define "Stunt casting"? Is casting a well-known name stunt casting?

To me stunt casting is putting a person on Broadway simply because they are famous, regardless of whether they can sing act or dance. Like Kato Kaelin playing Corny Collins. By my count, I don't think Hairspray has ever engeaged in Stunt Casting and Chicago only very very rarely.

"I don't think Hairspray has ever engeaged in Stunt Casting and Chicago only very very rarely."

For Hairspray I have two words: Haylie Duff (Alexa Vega is a close second for being just as bad)

Chicago has so many I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Haylie Duff is a singer and an actress. Why shouldn't she be cast in a broadway musical?

To me Stunt casting is writing a part for Dominique Dawes (now forgotten olympic gold medal winner) in the Grease revival.

I would hardly call Haliey Duff and Alex Vega 'stunt casting' since no one over 30 knows or cares who they are.

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I don't understand how someone can compare the casting of Hairspray and Chicago.

Look at this track list:

Chicago - Usher, Joey Laurence, Melanie Griffith, Hamlin/Rinna, Brooke Shields, Marilu Henner, etc.

Hairspray - Stephen DeRosa, Shannon Durig, Blake Hammond, Leah Hocking.

Get the difference?

The purpose of stunt casting is to cast a recognizable name in order to increase the box office take. While I agree that Haylie Duff, Diana DeGarmo, Ashley Parker Angel, and Alexa Vega are barely in the public consiousness, they are well known among the demographic the producers are hoping to attract. But of these names, only Diana DeGarmo has any real talent. And she was approached only after she had expressed an interest in being in the film as Penny.

As I said above, though, it doesn't seem that this casting has done any real significance for the box office, though there have been spikes, its attribution remains unclear. As for Chicago, the names come and go so quickly that I would argue that it is very difficult to determine whether or not any of the B_list has-been celebrities the Weisslers cast have any real impact on the box office. With the exception of Usher, has there been significant demand for tickets due to the presence of a "name" in the cast?

When I think of stunt casting, my mind automatically goes to famous people.

Haylie Duff, Diana DeGarmo, Ashley Parker Angel, etc. are hardly famous, IMO.

"That's a load of crap. They want anyone who can buy a ticket. Why would they focus on teens and 20 somethings? Folks over 30 have more spending money."

You're full of crap. Take a basic marketing class. With the cost of tickets these days, tourists are looking for shows the whole family can enjoy. By casting "names" that are recognizable (even if the show isn't recognizable), it increases the chances that "the kids" would rather see a show with Alexa Vega in it as opposed to the no-one-famous-in-it Lioon King. While ultimately Mom will decide, kids have a lot of swaying power these days. It only makes sense to market to as broad an audience as possible. Look at the film version. They are marketing across the board by their casting decisions.