smidge said: "Jordan Catalano said: "If he wasn’t doing “Macbeth”, I’d say this would be a great musical vehicle for Jake Gyllenhaal."
He’s not doing Macbeth."
Assuming they meant Othello.
Regardless, I am curious what the producers will do next. There aren't many actors at Rannells' "price range" who would be as good as or better than him. There are some celebs, like others here have mentioned, who could do the part, but that means gambling on splashing around much more cash than they seem willing to part with.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/16
Dan6 said: "BOM said: "Hewas the only reason I wanted go. Glad I didn’t buy tickets yet."
He was above the title, right? I assume Broadway Direct will have to refund any presales on request."
No he wasn’t above title. And that may well be a sticking point for him given he just came off a show where he was. But if he was honest with himself, we all know that his name means little to nothing by way of ticket sales. Gutenberg was sold on the duo, not him alone. Very VERY few people outside of theater know who Andrew is. Sometimes actors get a bit too big for their britches and swiftly get humbled when the work stops coming due to their demands. Maybe he’ll find that out himself.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/16
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel said: "but that means gambling on splashing around much more cash than they seem willing to part with."
The nuance you’re missing is that this was the amount of cash they were willing to splash around with Andrew in the role. And he likely had first refusal in his contract, so he had to be offered first. If there was someone with a bigger name in the mix, I am sure the purse strings would loosen.
also, as others have mentioned, given he participated in all of the announcement press (which is ALWAYS approved and negotiated by his manager and agent), all signs point to him demanding more than he’s worth after the fact. You don’t get to do that and then try to run with the narrative that the producers did something wrong here. It’s clear there was a handshake agreement in place with a basic understanding of a deal and it’s a bit tacky how he’s now going this route of crying foul when the evidence is public.
smidge said: "Jordan Catalano said: "If he wasn’t doing “Macbeth”, I’d say this would be a great musical vehicle for Jake Gyllenhaal."
He’s not doing Macbeth."
I meant “Othello”.
Money can always be found if a star who actually means something is interested in doing a show.
But I doubt many, if any, legitimately big name actors want to play second fiddle in this show, in a giant theatre, where everyone would know they weren't actually the top choice. (Not that Andrew is a big big name, but he's not nothing)
We'll see how much draw Elton John still has but the Palace is an awfully big house to fill.
I could see this going to Gavin Creel, Andy Karl, Christian Borle, maybe Corey Cott. Creel seems like the most logical and best fit.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/16
KitKatBoy24 said: "I could see this going to Gavin Creel, Andy Karl, Christian Borle, maybe Corey Cott. Creel seems like the most logical and best fit."
I’d bet money Corey Cott in particular would not be interested in playing Jim Bakker in a show where Jim Bakker doesn’t come out looking great…
There’s also Aaron tveit who would definitely sell tickets but I think Gavin Creel would be perfect in the role. His voice is so smooth and slightly soft spoken it’s perfect for a shady closeted conman.
Broadway Flash said: "There’s also Aaron tveit who would definitely sell ticketsbut I think Gavin Creel would be perfect in the role. His voice is so smooth and slightly soft spoken it’s perfect for a shady closeted conman."
Jumped in here to say the same thing. Gavin would be absolutely perfect. Should we start a petition? 😄
I’m curious if Katie hasn’t signed yet and now she’s using this as leverage to get more money? Seems fairly unprofessional of whoever decided to announce the stars without having the contracts signed.
Call_me_jorge said: "I’m curious if Katie hasn’t signed yet and now she’s using this as leverage to get more money? Seems fairly unprofessional of whoever decided to announce the stars without having the contracts signed."
A lot of things get announced before proper contracts are signed. Deal terms will be agreed upon by both parties, but it takes time to iron out all the little details and put together a long form agreement, and usually the producer and the agent are operating in good faith with the goal of closing a deal.
Sometimes even directors and authors go into rehearsal without a proper contract signed.
My assumption is terms were agreed upon by both parties, they announced, and then Andrew's team came back with new demands (more money, or length of run, or an "out" for a more lucrative gig) ---- likely because Andrew either had another opportunity arise (film/TV) or had second thoughts about returning to Broadway so soon after his 5 months in Gutenberg.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/20
OhHiii said: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel said: "but that means gambling on splashing around much more cash than they seem willing to part with."
The nuance you’re missing is that this was the amount of cash they were willing to splash around with Andrew in the role. And he likely had first refusal in his contract, so he had to be offered first. If there was someone with a bigger name in the mix, I am sure the purse strings would loosen.
Another part of the equation (I think it's been mentioned elsewhere in this thread) was that Tammy Faye was Andrew'Andrew's first stage gig in a while; the last one being The Boys in the Band where he had a supporting role. Beyond that he mostly did voice work or supporting parts in movies or TV - there might have been a sense he wasn't necessarily a draw as a co-lead (especially since, as has been mentioned, Tammy is the more substantive part) and his pay was calculated based on that. But the success of Gutenberg would have changed everything, proving, in New York at least, that he was a genuine draw. It sounds as if maybe the producers might have been trying to keep him at pre-Gutenberg rates and he didn't like that.
There’s also Neil Patrick Harris who could do it. He’d sell tickets
Broadway Flash said: "There’s also Neil Patrick Harris who could do it. He’d sell tickets"
He actually seems like the best choice. Gavin would be good too, but NPH feels more like the role to me.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/16
I guess people can say Rannells doesn't move tickets, but I had 0 interest in seeing this but was going just because of him. Was very happy to cross it off the list when he dropped out
I think Jim Parsons would also be wonderful in it too, but if the role is second fiddle, no big actor would want to do it. Unless they beef up the role. I could see Norbert Leo Butz in it too
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
Broadway Flash said: "There’s also Neil Patrick Harris who could do it. He’d sell tickets"
He's also WAY more expensive than Rannells.
What about Matt Morrison? He's not working much these days and this role probably isn't above him.
As for some of the other suggestions, Jim Parsons is doing OUR TOWN, and Neil Patrick Harris has had his pick of the litter the past decade (including "we'll produce what you'd like to do" offers). Manage your expectations. Especially because we can assume the producers want this individual in the show through next June at a minimum.
Lol Matt Morrison starred in James Graham’s last Broadway musical, Finding Neverland. Bryce Pinkham, Rob McClure, someone from SNL? There’s so many men who could do it, and do it well, I’m assuming the producers felt like Rannels was not worth whatever he was asking for.
Broadway Flash said: "There’s also Neil Patrick Harris who could do it. He’d sell tickets"
Not trying to hate on Neil, but something tells me he's highly unlikely to do a show where his character is not the main focus...
Understudy Joined: 9/14/04
There’s absolutely zero chance they’d ask NPH.
I could see Taran Killam doing well in this role
Bill Snibson said: "I could see Taran Killam doing well in this role"
He couldn't handle Co@k.
CATSNYrevival said: "Bill Snibson said: "I could see Taran Killam doing well in this role"
He couldn't handle Co@k."
That was a different guy - Taron Egerton.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/14/22
I just want to know if they'll be selling Jim's buckets at concession. Wow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOH37W0jPpA
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