Speaking from a business perspective-
Financially does it make sense to hire a "star" such as Taye Diggs, Randy Harrison or Joey McIntyre when the show is already selling out WITHOUT them? This isn't like building a show "around" a star such as Hugh Jackman. The show has proven itself that it does NOT need stunt casting to boost ticket sales. The show sells out every night and sometimes months in advance. (I've tried to get tickets in June for family coming into town---June is sold out)
Wouldn't Universal and the other producers prefer more income and a bigger recoup on their investment? Yes, while Taye was a cool name to add to the show and garnered some press, the show was ALREADY sold out when he came in so it didn't HELP ticket sales- if anything, it pissed people off that COULDN'T get in to see him.
The show sells out with Chris Fitzgerald already so will Randy sell more tickets to a show that will be already sold out? How does it financially help the show or the producers?
In the end, I would say Universal is LOOSING money because they are having to pay a larger salary to these "stars" instead of just adding more profit to their bottom line. Sure- it gets press but that press lasts a day or so. Adding cash to the bottom line has greater consequences.
Hope all that made sense.. sorry- I'm at work so I'm thinking in my Business mode.
Call it a regime change...