Stunt Casting

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Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 7:49am

So recently there was lot of hallabaloo about the most recent Waitress casting announcement. People are saying this person has no experience and that the show is just stunt casting rather than casting someone who DOES have experience. While I'm disappointed that people are judging this person before even SEEING him in the role, it got me thinking...

Who has been your favorite stunt cast in a show? I went into Waitress when Al Roker was cast as Old Joe being surprised about the casting decision, but after seeing him, I thought he was an excellent choice!

Any other examples come to mind?

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 8:18am

I assume you are referring to the casting of YouTube Vlogger Joe Sugg in the West End version. I don’t care too much about this, as he’s a comic relief side character. He seems charismatic enough though...

In London, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (currently the only West End hit NOT to make it to Broadway!) uses a lot of stunt casting for the supporting roles of Miss Hedge (the antagonistic headteacher) and Hugo (Jamie’s drag queen mentor). It gets plenty of people to see the musical (which is no bad thing) but the soap stars and Drag Race alumni who have taken on these two roles will be upstaged by Sharon Horgan and Richard E Grant when the film comes out...

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 8:19am

Melanie Griffith seems like she was really good in Chicago based on a few clips I saw, same with Billy Ray Cyrus.

Emma Stone was incredible in Cabaret, better than Michelle Williams in my opinion.

And people said Kat McPhee was stunt cast in Waitress and she did an amazing job.

All that being said, I feel like this is different since Joe is neither a singer nor an actor... It will be interesting to see how he does, I wish him luck.

Updated On: 8/20/19 at 08:19 AM

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 8:33am

I saw Melissa Benoist in Beautiful and she was excellent - she had a really clear voice that worked perfectly for the part. I also got to see Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel in Waitress, which was incredible (although that one isn't as much stunt-casting as it is songwriter-casting). My parents got to see Reba McEntire as Annie in Annie Get Your Gun, and it's still one of their favorite theatre memories. I guess it depends on how the person does in the role - the idea isn't foolproof, but it can help a show greatly. (I always thought they should have John Mulaney step in as the Squip in BMC and change all Keanu Reeves references to ones about Grant Gustin. It would've been pretty funny.)

With Waitress and stunt casting on the brain, this would be a perfect place to put reports about Colleen Ballinger and Todrick Hall starting up tonight. I would love to hear how they are as Dawn and Ogie!

"I think that when a movie says it was 'based on a true story,' oh, it happened - just with uglier people." - Peanut Walker, Shucked

Updated On: 8/20/19 at 08:33 AM

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 9:06am

Pearl Bailey as Dolly

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 9:17am

I understand the frustration around stunt casting, but what I see missing from a lot of these conversations is that they are likely stunt casting because they NEED to. I don't know what London Waitress's numbers are like, but I doubt they would be doing this type of casting if they were selling very well.

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 9:34am

Stunt casting isn't necessarily a bad thing, but one would hope Sugg can actually act, sing, or dance (pick two). Just because he hasn't done these things before doesn't mean he can't, and he was on a dance competition, although I'm not sure if that proved or disproved his prowess.

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 9:37am

Kea4 said: "I understand the frustration around stunt casting, but what I see missing from a lot of these conversations is that they are likely stunt casting because they NEED to. I don't know what London Waitress's numbers are like, but I doubt they would be doing this type of casting if they were selling very well."

Well said. As much as I like the show, it would have closed on Broadway a while ago, too, had Sara not come in three times to boost sales. Not to mention Jason Mraz, Jeremy Jordan, Joey McIntyre, Gavin Creel, ... (even though they all did a great job)

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 9:40am

I think we have to differentiate between "stunt casting" and "star casting," and the lines between them can be blurred. I would never call Emma Stone in CABARET stunt casting –– she's a brilliant actress who was cast both on her talents and her name value. Al Roker in Waitress, Jai Rodriguez as Carmen Ghia in The Producers, Clay Aiken in Spamalot, and many of the Chicago replacements feel more like "stunt casting."

The all-black Hello, Dolly! cast was done as a "stunt" to get media attention (something Merrick was going to repeat on 42nd Street but then it closed); sort of a cynical way towards representation. At the same time, Peal Bailey and Cab Calloway were a singular talents, and she would have been brilliant whether the show had a black cast, a white cast, or a mixed cast.

#10

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 9:57am

^^ Exactly.

The best definition I’ve heard of “stunt casting” is the casting of an individual who is well known but not well known for being an actor.

In this day and age that constitutes people like athletes and reality television stars.

The Weisslers are the Kings of “stunt casting” - if you want good examples, look at some of the celebrities they have thrown into their productions of CHICAGO and GREASE over the years.

You certainly can’t call actors who have been nominated for Emmys, Grammys and Oscars “stunt casting” - even if they are past their prime.

#11

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 10:43am

QueenAlice said: "The best definition I’ve heard of “stunt casting” is the casting of an individual who is well known but not well known for being an actor."

I like that. It brings to mind Scott Rudin's rant about Angelina Jolie's Cleopatra that was leaked in the Sony hack: "She's a camp event and a celebrity," not an actress. (Even though she has an Oscar.)

Another barometer: If someone with no name value was giving a similar-quality performance, would it be considered "good"?

#12

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 10:57am

Kinky boots did a good bit of student casting and I don’t think it always paid off. I saw David Cook as Charlie last year and even though I was surprised that he was better than I expected, he still wasn’t good. He was vocally okay and clearly not a broadway actor. However people I’ve spoken to and see online all loved Brandon Urie. But I do think Todrick as Ogie is an odd choice. I also had no idea Noah Galvin just did the role of Ogie which I also don’t see fitting. Did anyone see Noah while he was at waitress?
Wishing Todrick the best though! Love him.

#13

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 11:39am

Does Mark Ballas in Jersey Boys count? I'd never heard of him when he was announced, but all my friends who watch Dancing With the Stars were going nuts. I thought he was fantastic as Frankie — and I've often thought that JB probably could've stunt-cast a few more times than that, but they never really did.

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#14

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 11:49am

LizzieCurry said: "Does Mark Ballas in Jersey Boys count? I'd never heard of him when he was announced, but all my friends who watch Dancing With the Stars were going nuts. I thought he was fantastic as Frankie — and I've often thought that JB probably could've stunt-cast a few more times than that, but they never really did."

I feel like that's a tough show to stunt-cast because they have to be GREAT at holding harmony. And part of the selling point to tourists was "wow, they really sound like the Four Seasons!" Unless they were going to stunt-cast Bob Crewe or Gyp DeCarlo with washed up TV guys (kind of thankless roles).

#15

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 11:57am

Emma Stone would have a Tony Award if she had opened the revival of Cabaret as offered. She gave one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen.

Other wonderful stunt cast performances I've seen:

- Sara & Kat in Waitress
- Jennifer Nettles in Chicago
- Jane Lynch in Annie
- Nick Jonas in How To Succeed...
- Ingrid Michaelson in Great Comet
- Todrick Hall in Kinky Boots

#16

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 1:35pm

I def agree with the people saying there’s a difference between star casting and stunt casting. Using Waitress as the example, because the casting of Joe Sugg has caused the latest debate, imo he is pure stunt casting, brought in to boost ticket sales. This is not to say he doesn’t have talent and might not be fab as Ogie, but he’s not an actor or a singer. Sara Bareilles and Kat McPhee otoh I see as more than qualified star casting, not stunt casting, and both were great as Jenna! Sara did local theatre early in her career and Kat is an actress who went to musical theatre college and also did local theatre ..... and both are knockout singers.

I totally get why people get upset about pure ‘stunt casting’ when it seemingly takes an opportunity away from an experienced actor / singer, but I also see why it’s necessary for some shows when the alternative might be that the show will otherwise close, putting tens / hundreds of people out of work. Waitress London also hasn’t been helped by the recent stunt casting of Ashley Roberts as Dawn, where Laura Baldwin took an enforced break for 2 months to accommodate her, which caused a massive backlash, so this latest casting was always going to be seen negatively by some people.

It’s a really interesting debate, but in the age of the celeb I only see it becoming more and more prevalent going forward.

Updated On: 8/20/19 at 01:35 PM

#17

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 1:52pm

WestEndGal said: "I totally get why people get upset about pure ‘stunt casting’ when it seemingly takes an opportunity away from an experienced actor / singer, but I also see why it’s necessary for some shows when the alternative might be that the show will otherwise close"

Why would a show do it if their advance sales were solid and they didn't need to? I think it is always linked to keeping the show going...

#18

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 2:45pm

Well... the next Jenna is Hordan Sparks..

#19

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 4:41pm

The Chicago OBRC has a second disc of rarities and performances by some of their most notable stunt casting stars. I actually liked Lynda Carter and John O’Hurley better than the Mama and Billy on the OBCR- O’Hurley in particular made a campy meal of the tongue in cheek “All I Care About.”

#20

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 7:17pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "LizzieCurry said: "Does Mark Ballas in Jersey Boys count? I'd never heard of him when he was announced, but all my friends who watch Dancing With the Stars were going nuts. I thought he was fantastic as Frankie — and I've often thought that JB probably could've stunt-cast a few more times than that, but they never really did."

I feel like that's a tough show to stunt-cast because they have to be GREATat holding harmony. And part of the selling point to tourists was "wow, they really sound like the Four Seasons!" Unless they were going to stunt-cast Bob Crewe or Gyp DeCarlo with washed up TV guys(kind of thankless roles)."

If I remember correctly, Frankie Valli had (and I think still does) quite a bit of pull in who plays him because of his singular voice. Not sure about the other Four Seasons

Check out my eBay page for sales on Playbills!! www.ebay.com/usr/missvirginiahamm

#21

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/20/19 at 8:35pm

I too saw Mark Ballas in JB and the phrase "stunt casting" never crossed my mind. And I wasn't particularly a fan of his on DWTS; I thought he tended to make sure HE looked good, even at the expense of his partners. In JERSEY BOYS he was actually playing the part and engaging with the ensemble.

As for Reba McEntire, she auditioned and won the title role in AGYG fair and square. (A friend of mine was one of her competitors.) I didn't see her in it, but she seemed to receive nearly universal acclaim. I'm sure they were happy to welcome her country music and TV fans, but I don't think it's fair to call her "stunt" casting simply because she hadn't been on Broadway before.

#22

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/21/19 at 8:59am

Katharine McPhee and Al Roker were fantastic when they came in. I always say not to judge someone in a role until you see them in that role. No matter their background, you have absolutely no idea how they will perform until you see them. Judge all you want, but you won't actually have an informed opinion. There's also a video going around of Joe's audition and I think he's going to be brilliant! He's so adorable in the clip I've seen.

#23

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/21/19 at 11:59am

VotePeron said: "Emma Stone would have a Tony Award if she had opened the revival of Cabaret as offered. She gave one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen."

she could open a new musical or play and probably easily win a Tony for it but my secret wish is they’ll just revive Cabaret again and have her star

"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."

#24

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/23/19 at 7:52am

t the bottom line...money....people are complaining about the "stunt casting" of .Jordin Sparks, she may not be a huge name but she is certainly more than Allison (no shade meant ) and curiosity factor alone will bring in money. The show is great and all the Jennas have also been great, but the bottom line is you have to fill the seats. Allison most certainly signed a contract and I am sure it is in the contract about tagging out to someone else at some point. To say she got gypped ,,,,she is starring in a Broadway show as the lead ...and she has no name recognition at all outside of Broadway...she is winning every night she steps on that stage...I love this show it is one of my ride or die shows honestly..but I also love every interpretation that I have heard and I am sure Jordins will be great also...Stunt casting is needed unless you have a juggernaut show like Phantom or Wicked.. Great job Allison keep kicking ass and lets hope Jordin fills the seats.... no matter what it is about the MONEY...THE PROM was the best new show last year hands down...but it closed in 8 months because it didn't make money...as great as the cast was and it was topnotch...stunt casting may have kept it running....to me Stunt casting was Marla Maples in The Will Rodgers Follies...(no talent no experience) casting a singer or actress from outside of the NYC is not really stunt casting ..I mean people called Emma Stone (academy award winner) stunt casting in Cabaret ...come on

#25

Stunt Casting

Posted: 8/23/19 at 10:34am

bryan2 said: "people are complaining about the "stunt casting" of .Jordin Sparks"

Well, you can say people are complaining about anything, and be able to confirm it on Twitter. That doesn't mean it's a legitimate concern.

Updated On: 8/23/19 at 10:34 AM

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