SITPWG Billing..

[WJR2]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 11:48am

So I was looking at my playbill for the revival of Sunday.. George and noticed something odd. Along with Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell, Michael Cumpsty, Alexander Gemignani, and Jessica Molaskey were given above title billing. This seems so odd, because doesn't that make them technically "Lead Actors/Actresses in a Musical"?

Does this seem odd to anyone else?

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 11:57am

In this case, the producers petitioned for Cumpsty, Gemignani and Molaskey to be considered “Featured” despite their above-the-title billing.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/97244/tony-administrators-announce-more-2007-2008-eligibility-rulings/

[mikem]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 12:46pm

I also thought the billing for that revival of Sunday in the Park was odd. There is no way that a part like the boatman (Gemignani's part) merits being above the title. Roundabout gives a lot of performers above-the-title billing. I assume it's a way to make things more attractive to actors without costing Roundabout anything. I thought they went a bit overboard with Sunday in terms of billing, though.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 1:54pm

I remember in the Drood playbill there were a lot of actors listed above the title, but they weren't above the title anywhere else (advertising, etc). I think the rules might be different if it's just in the playbill?

[Nateben2]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 2:26pm

Like many the things, it can be negotiated - and I think you are right Roundabout may do it quicker and given it to it easier to make up for pay differences.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 8:24pm

When they did the Boyd Gaines revival of Company, the entire cast was above the title. Kind of defeats the purpose.

[Nateben2]

Posted: 5/28/14 at 10:23pm

TDB . . . that sounds like "Favored Nations" run a muck . . .

[WJR2]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 11:48am

Very interesting... I now noticed the Drood billing, and a good 5-6 actors are above title! Thanks for your responses!

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 3:34pm

What bizarre billing! I don't know much about such things, but would someone be able to explain what the benefit of putting more people above the title would be?

[Nateben2]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 4:08pm

There are three reasons to put stars above title billing . . .

1)Actor requests it / negotiates it
2)Advertising . . . BIG STAR in play with no name
3)And, I am unsure of the all rules about this, to get an actor considered for lead actor in Tony nominations.

I am at a lost for other reasons right now . . .

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 4:09pm

Have you ever asked for a raise at work and your boss said, "We can't afford to give you a raise, but how about a nicer job title"? Same principle. It benefits the actor, not the theater, so it is a negotiating tactic.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 4:11pm

Does Roundabout pay their actors less than other potential Broadway gigs? Sorry if this is a silly question...

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 4:40pm

Yes. Being a nonprofit, Roundabout is on a LORT (League of Residential Theatres) contract, not the Broadway Production contract. Both contracts are available for anyone to read on actorsequity.org if you are curious about the differences.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/29/14 at 5:35pm

Thanks yero!