Replacement stars that change a show

#1

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 8:03am

I was reading about Emma Stone replacing Michelle Williams in Cabaret and someone had posted that most of her costumes are different from Michelle's.

So I was wondering...how normal is this? I would have thought productions like this would use the original costume designs when they get replacement casts.

And what are other examples where a show was changed after a replacement star has joined a production? For example, maybe a song was dropped or replaced with another song, choreography changed drastically, dialogue changed, etc

#2

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 8:13am

There are not DRASTIC changes in most cirumstances. A costume change is not drastic, and happens frequently. Key changes are very common as well. Even when there are understudies playing the part.

I know CHICAGO does vary the choreography of Velma and Roxy if their newest "name" can't handle it.

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#3

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 8:26am

From what I understand, Williams was doing a Jill Haworth; Stone is now closer to what Natasha Richardson was doing. (Does that make sense to anyone?) It's not so much a replacement as a re-replacement.

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#4

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 9:20am

It does happen depending on the strengths of who is replacing.When Raquel Welch replaced LAuren Bacall in Woman of the Year. Raquel got a new wardrobe designed by Norma Kamalli, and also a new song, and choreography. When Debbie Reynold succeeded her she also got new choreography. When Ann Miller went into MAME a Showstopping Tap Routine was put in for her. When Welch replaced Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria some songs were cut. Those are just a few that I have seen.

#5

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 9:21am

Toni Braxton in Beauty and the Beast.

#6

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 9:40am

From what I've heard, Ben Platt does currently seem to be breaking the Josh Gad-mold in The Book of Mormon.

#7

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 9:59am

Ciara Renee's wig was different than Patina's in Pippin and Carly's now is a bit different too.

#8

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 10:03am

A few of the actresses that played Mimi in Rent had different costumes. I believe Saycon Sengbloh's costume was a bit different when she was on as Mimi.

The Over the Moon costume that Maureen wears also changed a bit from when Idina played the role.

#9

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 10:27am

Costume wise, when Fran joined Cinderella she was given a more sexy wardrobe for Madame. Also in Cinderella, Judy got a new (some are saying) cheaper costume for Marie.

In terms of new cast members changing the complete feel if the show, there are to many examples to list. One example would be whenever Pippin got a new leading LP and/or Pippin. New magic was created every time in my opinion.

#10

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 10:39am

I don't like that Ben Platt is changing the Josh Gad mold. I didn't really think he was right as Elder Cunningham. He would work more as Price.

#11

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 10:56am

See I prefer the Elder Cunningham take that isn't someone trying to be Josh Gad. There are way too many replacements I've seen who tried to be the person who preceded them. Usually, it doesn't turn out well.

#12

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 11:03am

I appreciated when Ben Platt was doing when he started out as Cunningham, but his schtick has gotten a little (occasionally very) stale. Still, it was nice to not see a Gad carbon copy.

In terms of actual choreography changes and such, when Gavin Creel joined the tour, they changed the splits in All-American Prophet to this jazz hands pirouette-type thing which didn't require a splits at all. Ashley Day and David Larsen both do this alternate chroegraphy.

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#13

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 11:06am

^I don't want someone to imitate Josh Gad. I just like the chubby, dorky character that he brought to that role. I think that Elder Cunningham being overweight is a requirement for the him. I like that visual next to the thin, tall Elder Price. I don't think that they should be JUST like him, but instead use him as inspiration. I just didn't think Ben Pratt was right for the role.
I DID enjoy his singing though.

#14

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 11:08am

I think it's often too easy to fall into the trap of imitating Josh Gad. Or maybe I'm just scarred by the performance of Jon Bass. I've seen every full-time Elder Cunningham and while I also enjoy the visual contrast between the two, it still works with a tallish Cunningham and shortish Price (thinking of Will Blum and KJ Hippensteel), as long as people are not cruising along on auto-pilot.

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Updated On: 11/20/14 at 11:08 AM

#15

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 11:20am

Another example:
With originator Tony Vincent in the role, the character of St. Jimmy in American Idiot was described as being a"commanding androgynous, malevolent presence who changes the course of Johnny 's life", but when Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong took over, the role was described as being "a demonic Peter Pan".

#16

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 12:20pm

when Clay Aiken joined Spamalot they added a song lyric or two for him.

#17

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 12:29pm

Victoria Clark recounts in the book 'Nothing Like a Dame' that Sarah Jessica Parker taught her how to own a replacement role, by being somewhat demanding of the production team and deliberately making it a different performance. Hence, this is why when she replaced Bernadette in Follies, all her costumes where different and the way she played the role also changed the show and the other 3 main actors' portrayal.

#18

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 1:03pm

I believe when Ethel joined Hello, Dolly! They changed the staging for Dolly so Ethel could do her signature stand front and center and deliver the lines to the audience.

#19

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 1:25pm

After Steve Kazee left ONCE, the Guy's costume changed to a darker Henley and that red plaid shirt.

And most of the CHICAGO stunt casts that I know about catered to their stars. Wendy Williams, for instance, gave Mama Morton a "how you doin'?"

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#20

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 2:03pm

'After Steve Kazee left ONCE, the Guy's costume changed to a darker Henley and that red plaid shirt.'

That was introduced in London but for Ronan Keating's run as Guy, I believe they are using the Steve Kazee costume

#21

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 3:59pm

Wasn't it introduced for all of Kazee's understudies?

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#22

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 4:27pm

I didn't see Mario Lopez in A Chorus Line, but remember talk about - at least - proposed changes to give him more of a stage role. But, I don't remember if that was just idle gossip or it actually happened.

#23

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 4:40pm

I read when Liza Minnelli took over for Gwen Verdon for five weeks in 1975, she performed 'My Own Best Friend' solo instead of as a duet with Chita Rivera.

#24

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/20/14 at 6:04pm

As in recall, the staging for Pearl Bailey in Hello, Dolly, in the dinner scene especially, was quite different as well.

#25

Replacement stars that change a show

Posted: 11/21/14 at 7:51am

They also put in for Ethel two songs that were cut from the original production when Merman didn't want to do it.Yes, they added Mario Lopez to the opening number and gave him for stage time. They also put him fron and center for teh finale, and they changed Nick Adams costume to cover up his muscles.

Updated On: 11/21/14 at 07:51 AM