Stand-by Joined: 5/9/19
On playbill it shows that Presley is the replacement. Hope this is true! Because good for her! Saw her on my third time because we used to be friends. Very proud.
They don't even have a Lydia on the site anymore.
Well, with Caruso and no clear replacement currently, the role shouldn't be listed until an official replacement is signed.
Presley will likely play the role until a permanent actress is named for the role.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/14/20
Curious...usually when a performer leaves a show, they keep the person on the site until a replacement comes in. Right now if you go to the Beetlejuice website, they don't have a replacement listed for Lydia. Maybe the understudies will just switch off given the show is closing in 4 months?
Leading Actor Joined: 11/15/17
Weren't they going to announce a new Lydia this week? I thought it was today.
I don't think there was any OFFICIAL word that a replacement would be named.
They cannot just "let" the two understudies just play the part until it closes. Equity regulations. I THINK after 2 weeks, the actor must be given a principal contract. (Or something close to that.)
Swing Joined: 10/31/19
It’s a shame if whatever went down with Sophia leaving the show (I know nothing) detracts from all the effort and sweat she put into the show. She was there from the beginning and hopefully she gets the credit she deserves for that rather than her time on the show always having an asterisk next to it. She’s only 18 and has a v bright future I think
dramamama611 said: "I don't think there was any OFFICIAL word that a replacement would be named.
They cannot just "let" the two understudies just play the part until it closes. Equity regulations. I THINK after 2 weeks, the actor must be given a principal contract. (Or something close to that.)"
AEA rules state that an understudy can't go on for three straight weeks(24 performances) unless there's a medical exemption in place. Beetlejuice isn't in this type of situation, so a replacement does need to be found by March 10. This rule was put in after the original ACL closed as they would frequently have understudies cover a role for several months if an actor got fired or injured.
dramamama611 said: "I don't think there was any OFFICIAL word that a replacement would be named.
They cannot just "let" the two understudies just play the part until it closes. Equity regulations. I THINK after 2 weeks, the actor must be given a principal contract. (Or something close to that.)"
The press releasement from friday afternoon did say that Presley would be taking over through Sunday February 23rd, and that a new Lydia would be named next week. I think some people interpreted this as a new Lydia being announced today to begin performances tonight.
Understudy Joined: 2/25/20
Who do you guys think will be a good replacement for Lydia ??
Understudy Joined: 12/4/19
Looks like no new replacement this week. According to Dana Steingold’s Instagram her and Presley will be splitting the role this week.
Has anyone from the show posted anything on social media as a goodbye to Sophia? I couldn’t help but notice all the love toward Erika when she left Mean Girls. Even though it was abrupt, you’d expect some love from some on the cast...
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/15
ChildofEarth said: "Has anyone from the show posted anything on social media as a goodbye to Sophia? I couldn’t help but notice all the love toward Erika when she left Mean Girls. Even though it was abrupt, you’d expect some love from some on the cast..."
Kerry did as mentioned above (who was also in Mean Girls with Erika )
@Mods, I sent a PM asking why one of my comments from this thread was deleted and never got a reply. Any chance you get, would love to get an answer.
squip said: "dramamama611 said: "I don't think there was any OFFICIAL word that a replacement would be named.
They cannot just "let" the two understudies just play the part until it closes. Equity regulations. I THINK after 2 weeks, the actor must be given a principal contract. (Or something close to that.)"
The press releasement from friday afternoon did say that Presley would be taking over through Sunday February 23rd, and that a new Lydia would be named next week. I think some people interpreted this as a new Lydia being announced today to begin performances tonight."
I doubt anyone thought a new actress would be STARTING tonight. The girl was JUST released.
Didn't see this week's schedule posted so:
Went tonight hoping to see Dana (and with a very delusional part of my brain hoping to see the Lydia replacement appear on stage with no announcement whatsoever) (I kid, I kid). I was not disappointed; she was amazing! The show was great, as per usual. It was kid's night, so the crowd was rowdy (though mostly from adults in my section either glued to their phones or using kid's night as an excuse to chat with their kids/teens the entire time). Eddie Perfect came out after bows to do a sing-a-long for the occasion. Also, there were a lot of photographers taking pics/filming before the show and at stage door, but they seemed to be affiliated with Kid's Night on Broadway.
Dana and Presley are both very talented, but I have to say I am super excited to see a brand new take on the role from a replacement (barring it being some last-minute social media stunt cast, which I highly doubt). Doubt any stunt casting would be needed; the line to get into the theatre wrapped around the entire theatre (main entrance to stage door) and the place was packed.
Can always rely on Riedel to spill the tea, but think the real story here is that they're looking at the Barrymore??
https://nypost.com/2020/02/27/beetlejuice-on-broadway-loses-its-lydia/
"But “Beetlejuice” has since caught on, its weekly grosses climbing to over $1 million. So the Shuberts have found it another home: the Ethel Barrymore, soon to be vacant after the collapse of “The Inheritance.”
Definitely the most important two sentences in the entire article, glad they found it another home if they chose to move it.
Understudy Joined: 2/25/20
Sutton Ross said: ""But “Beetlejuice” has since caught on, its weekly grosses climbing to over $1 million. So the Shuberts have found it another home: the Ethel Barrymore, soon to be vacant after the collapse of “The Inheritance.”
Definitely the most important two sentences in the entire article, glad they found it another home if they chose to move it."
very exciting ! The Barrymore will definitely be a much more “ intimate “ setting not sure how they will actually be able to make that work. Very excited!
Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/18
“She’s friendly, talented and dependable. It will make a nice change”
Talk about shade!
There’s going to be a lot of upset people who bought tickets to the “last show” thinking it would be one hell of a party only to find out it’s moving to another theater weeks later. Yikes.
Updated On: 2/27/20 at 08:05 PMUnderstudy Joined: 2/25/20
dmwnc1959 said: "There’s going to be a lot of upset people who bought tickets to the “last show” thinking it would be one hell of a party only to find out it’s moving to another theater weeks later. Yikes."
Lol!! Exactly ! I have tickets for the last day. Either way. It will be nice to have a send off at winter garden. It definitely won’t be the same experience at another theater.
if they are truly securing another Theater. I’m almost positive they will be stunt casting Lydia.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/11
I’m sad to hear of her departure and on seemingly such bad terms. She was the only good thing about this show IMO and her voice is so unique. This will really do damage to her reputation now following that Post article.
Sutton Ross said: "CT2NYC said: "Fortunately, Broadway is a very small community, so any speculation can be fairly easily confirmed by people inthe know.
Considering it's no one's business and people want to keep their jobs....no, no it won't be. She confirmed it, end of story."
So, Sutton Ross, you were saying?
I feel like Brightman should’ve been more of a grownup, if what’s in the article is true. Sophia is only 18-19, and they expected her to be some diety of work ethic. I’d like to know if Brightman made it to all his 8 am’s his freshman and sophomore year of college.
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