< Someone else pointed it out here, but it's an example of a cast having an affect on the play. It was an excellent original cast with Rickman, Rabe, etc. and their great abilities were able to somewhat cover the flaws in the play. When they put in a new cast of people who weren't quite as good as the original cast, it exposed every flaw in the play. >
Always find it interesting here that someone will post something that's flawed or misinformed opinion and often it's embraced as the gospel truth.
There were few few nights at SEMINAR when the audience wasn't genuinely jumping to its feet at the beginning of the curtain call in appreciation for the play and actors, sensational ensemble work, both with the original cast and replacement cast. And many thought the play worked better with the second cast. JUSTIN LONG was making a remarkable Broadway debut and let's hope he comes back to the Great White Way.
SEMINAR had a respectable run. ALAN RICKMAN, LILY RABE & HAMISH LINKLATER all gave Tony nominee-worthy performances, but often a show opening in November is forgotten at the end of the season. And if anyone believes the Tony nominators are about acknowledging excellence without other specific self-serving agendas, then you're not being very realistic.
SEMINAR's new cast was fighting a losing battle against too many shows at the end of the season and it's always unfortunate when a cast and crew, a house staff, everyone involved with a show has to say goodbye. No one should take pleasure in that.
The number of people who will not see a show they don't want to see... is unlimited.
Oscar Hammerstein
