What are the main reasons the original cast leaves?

Just curious as to why the original cast leaves a successful show. I am often disappointed when the original cast leaves a show that I love. I would think if you were part of a successful show, you would hang on to the job as long as you could. In the entertainment industry, jobs are not easy to come by. Often I see cast members leave and never to be heard of again. Other times, you do see actors reappear elsewhere.

Is it simply getting tired of performing the same part 8 shows per week? Is it looking for the next big role? Or is it the producers not renewing contracts for various reasons? From a producer standpoint, I would do my best to keep the original cast, but I am sure there is the business of actors wanting too much or producers being too greedy.

On a side note, it appears Disney is successful in keeping actors for many years. Have to think Disney pays much better than other producers

Updated On: 1/8/17 at 06:35 AM

aaaaaa15 said: "Various reasons but the main one is to progress in their careers. You're right that jobs in the entertainment industry are hard to come by so if you were part of a successful show, wouldn't you want to take the opportunities that were being offered to you whilst your career was at its peak?



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I guess that is the double edged sword. You could stay employed or take the next big risk. I guess the other question to that is when an actor leaves, you very rarely ever see them return. Is it simply pride, or producers have just moved on and not willing to pay more?

Yes but you make more money on the road than you do on Bway. Also SOR doesn't have years of time left in it. A tour most likely it a longer contract.

I think the reasons are different between Ensemble and leading roles. Those actors that have already made names for themselves move on to other projects. Those might still be in developing stages, so we might not even know about them yet. I assume that's the case for Jessie Mueller leaving Waitress for example.

The leads in the real long-running shows like Phantom or Wicked probably leave because they look for other opportunities. Those might not be leads again, but I often feel like actors who stay with one show for too long have it harder to find other jobs. Because their resume is short, even if they have worked consistently in that one show. As an actor you need to show versatility, and you can only do that by playing different parts, even if that means going out on tour or taking a smaller part in another show. Plus they want to grow as actors and tackle new challenges. With every new job they take they also make new connections, work with different actors, directors, producers etc who see their talent which might help them get the next job. This would also apply for ensemble members I guess.

Of course it's a risk, but being in this business is a risk in itself. And taking the safe route and staying in one show for many years might end up being a risk too, if you have to leave eventually and you have nothing else to show on your resume.

trpguyy said: " No you don't. If the tour is a Full Production contract (very few are), you make just about the same as you do on Broadway.

For tours there is also a per diem on top of salary, so actors do actually make more on tour even if the salary is the same.

astromiami said: "trpguyy said: " No you don't. If the tour is a Full Production contract (very few are), you make just about the same as you do on Broadway.

For tours there is also a per diem on top of salary, so actors do actually make more on tour even if the salary is the same.


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I addressed that in my post. Did you read the whole thing?

^it may have happened with the newsies tour as well, especially when they were here in Chicago. I remember reading it broke a Chicago gross record with 2,000,000 dollars in one week.

There are many reasons - one being that actors need to develop their careers and explore new types of roles. They can't stay forever. However, some choose to stay because they love the show, the character, the cast member culture, per say. Lesli Margherita stayed with Matilda, but she took time off to take on new roles. I was so happy when she came back for the final months! She's amazing! It's healthy to leave. Actors need to dip their feet in everything in order to expand their career.

The longest run I've ever worked was a lovely little production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC in summer stock. It ran for 3 months and by the third month I had a calendar on my bedroom wall where I was marking off the days like a kid waiting for Christmas. I can only imagine what a run of 12 or 24 months would be like!

But I also know plenty of actors who would love to have the security of the money they could save during a year on Broadway.

ETA I should add that, while it isn't my favorite show, I don't hate TSOM. I was just tired of stage managing it. We should remember that, in most cases, actors and crew are hired to do EXACTLY the same thing 8 times per week. We've all had boring jobs, but no clerk-typist is forced to type the same document every day for months on end. A long run is better compared to assembly line factory work: a little more interesting for awhile, but ultimately just as repetitive.

Updated On: 1/8/17 at 10:18 PM

I disagree that this thread is stupid. Although I do enjoy the philosphical questions raised by posting in a thread that one deems stupid. Does that make said poster, in fact, stupid too? A question for the ages.

I often hear people remark that if an actor gets a job in a long running show, then they would never want to leave because it's a steady paycheck. A lot of people can't fathom leaving a steady gig for something unknown. I wonder what it is about Chicago that makes it have people stay longer than the typical Broadway show.

You're only focusing on what you see. You dont see how people are being treated, how taxing a show can be on an actor physically, mentally, psychologically, the amount of sacrifice that accompanies doing 8 shows a week. Also, every actor doesn't have the same dream. There are some actors at Lion King who have been there since it opened.....doing the same track for 18 years - they dont long for film and tv, they have bills and kids who need to go to college. Not everyone is looking for the same destiny.