Well, yes, lots of people around here can. The other thread has talkied about this extensively.
Understudy Joined: 2/25/20
AEA AGMA SM said: "TheatreFan4 said: "A contracted actor doesn't get to "quit on the spot" outside of a legitimate emergency. If production wasn't ready it's because something forced their hand to do it. She was fired."
Someone can quit at any time. It doesn't mean there won't be a financial penalty to do so, but if she decided she was done and did not want to give the proper amount of notice they couldn't actually force her to be there."
Her instagram post. Just seemed very impulsive and angry. Then she deleted it. As if her publicist was telling her she better take it down. And “ wtf are you doing ?!” ... then the statement from the production was clearly written on a blindsided whim.
now , they are alternating all week. No one made a post wishing her well. ... yes, Kerry made a little story post. But nothing directly about Sophia. ... the show still hasn’t posted anything. Everyone all seems very shocked , blindsided and pissed off towards her.
Understudy Joined: 2/25/20
friend of mine just told me they are Auditioning older actors currently. So I guess that could be for a swing or for a new lydia.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/15
Kaitlyn posted a story singing some big song in a clip that looked like an audition tape . She'd kill it as Lydia . Hope she's in the running !( If they are auditioning "older actors, she'd be in the range since she's older than Sophia and Presley but younger than Dana)
Updated On: 2/26/20 at 02:02 AM
MannPhan24601 said: "Kaitlyn posted a story singing some big song in a clip that looked like an audition tape . She'd kill it as Lydia . Hope she's in the running !( If they are auditioning "older actors, she'd be in the range since she's older than Sophia and Presley but younger than Dana)"
Yes.... we know
Purely out of speculation, I wonder if Sophia burned out and just couldn't do it anymore. It seemed like she was out of the show a lot, and I had seen some posts where she'd talked about battling anxiety and depression. It's a huge show for a girl her age to carry, and both vocally and I'm sure emotionally, Lydia can't be the easiest role to live in. I know the BMC leads also really struggled with the huge online fanbase. They can really drain you. She's just turned 18 and has been in the industry forever, it seems like she had a blink-and-you-missed it kind of childhood experience. That could totally be off base, but again, I noticed that she was out of the show a considerable amount. Honestly, the show should be Presley's. Having worked with her, I can tell you she's great. If not, any of those ex-Fun Home girls would do the trick. While I do believe it changes the dynamic of the character to be played by an older actress, from a producing standpoint, it does provide more emotional reliability than someone whose not literally a teenager if that makes sense.
Understudy Joined: 4/26/05
Dana Steingold is appealing as heck as a WOMAN - and sounds great in the role - but 100% shouldn't be anything more than a no-other-resort understudy as this 15-ish year old GIRL. "Creepy-old-girl" per the song. I'd feel duped as an audience member with the put-on "young" shtick.. Yuck!
(Somehow this is different than having 30 year old Mean Girls... which I also dislike...)
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/15
If I remember correctly , Dana and Alex went to NYU together . I would have never guessed her age until she posted about that ...
Leading Actor Joined: 11/15/17
Honestly, I have no idea what will happen. I can't get over how sudden it is. I saw her 2nd to last show. It's crazy.
Whatever the situation may be, I hope Sophia is doing well. I took my boyfriend to see it for his birthday, I had no interest. But no matter what I thought of the show, we both agreed that she has talent and star power for days.
Chorus Member Joined: 10/6/19
Just released that Presley will take over for March starting with the 2/28 show through 3/29. Production says that a further replacement will be named soon.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
I’m happy she’s getting a least a month. Good for her. She deserves it.
Understudy Joined: 2/25/20
KathyNYC2 said: "I’m happy she’s getting a least a month. Good for her. She deserves it. "
Ok. So. They have to be extending the run then. Why would they only have her on through March , then cast someone for two months?
Understudy Joined: 2/25/20
LizzieCurry said: "Source:http://www.playbill.com/article/beetlejuices-presley-ryan-to-play-lydia-deetz-on-broadway-through-march"
This makes me really think they are doing stunt casting. Because they said they will be announcing shortly. So. By having pres on for a month. It gives people notice of the “ celeb “ coming in
Leading Actor Joined: 11/18/13
Tommymac 2 said: "KathyNYC2 said: "I’m happy she’s getting a least a month. Good for her. She deserves it. "
Ok. So. They have to be extending the run then. Why would they only have her on through March , then cast someone for two months?"
Plenty of productions have cast replacements for far shorter amounts of time. Fun Home had Rebecca Luker come in for only two weeks.
No one getting those two months will be complaining that is isn't long enough. They'll have their health insurance covered for the year.
Chorus Member Joined: 10/6/19
Tommymac 2 said: "KathyNYC2 said: "I’m happy she’s getting a least a month. Good for her. She deserves it. "
Ok. So. They have to be extending the run then. Why would they only have her on through March , then cast someone for two months?"
It could be as simple as a new contract for the remaining months for Presley as lead isn't ready yet. To me it feels like Sophia leaving was very sudden and unexpected, which would mean that there wouldn't be a contract drawn up for a permanent replacement. Or maybe they want to see if the changeover effects the grosses and go from there. Either way, I'm happy she is being given the opportunity to shine as she deserves it.
Leading Actor Joined: 11/15/17
Interesting.
I'm guessing unless they figure out how to stay open, that unless they find someone great, Presley's run will just continue to be extended. But, who knows.
My bet is that the replacement is being groomed to play the end of the run and then lead the tour.
Will someone be taking over Presley’s understudy track for the month of March?
ellbellthomps said: "Honestly, I have no idea what will happen. I can't get over how sudden it is. I saw her 2nd to last show. It's crazy."
Wow that’s cool. Did anyone happen to be there for her final Wednesday performance last week? Was there anything significant about it?
Chorus Member Joined: 10/6/19
Call_me_jorge said: "Will someone be taking over Presley’s understudy track for the month of March?"
Possibly one of their swings, and Dana still covers as well. Though I don't think Presley has missed any of the performances to my knowledge.
Understudy Joined: 12/4/19
Call_me_jorge said: "Will someone be taking over Presley’s understudy track for the month of March?"
Per equity regulations they can’t have any less cast members than they opened with, so if Presley is taking over for her, even for a month, I’m guessing they will need to hire someone to cover.
Featured Actor Joined: 9/14/16
They may also simply giving themselves a little time to consider options.
Chorus Member Joined: 10/6/19
saxpower said: "They may also simply giving themselves a little time to consider options."
This is the feeling I get, where they were blindsided with Sophia leaving and didn't have a long term plan in place. I do think they may be using March as a test run for Presley to see how the grosses are, what impact on social media her taking over could have (which is most likely going to be a very positive impact in my opinion) and just seeing what all of their options are.
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