Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

#1

Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:15am

Hello.
I noticed that some musicals keep changing their cast. Is it because they want to generate greater ticket sales? Thanks.

#2

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:56am

No, it's because formaldehyde has been discovered to be a carcinogen.

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

#3

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:38am

Huh? You're kidding, right?

#4

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:40am

No, it's because actors often tire of doing the same role every day and want to give someone else a chance to play it. That's the logical reason. The "greater ticket sales" may be the financial reason.

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"Ev'ry-buddy wants ta get into de act!" - Jimmy Durante "Breathe from your hoo-hoo." -Kristin Chenoweth

#5

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 10:28am

Well, that and, often the actors read what people say about them on this board and throw themselves into the Hudson.

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And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."

#6

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 12:31pm

I'd rather throw myself off the GWB than into the Hudson.

(If the GWB is over the Hudson, excuse my error and move on.)

#7

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 1:15pm

Some people like to relax, you know. Or try new things? Ever hear of that?

#8

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 1:47pm

I agree with Jasobres- I think its to get the other awesome talents heard or seen... I think its kinda cool- unless you really want to see the person who was playing it at that time... (You never know you could be the next person to take their place...)

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#9

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 2:49pm

It's tough to do 8 shows per week for a long time. Even the most brilliant actors who can find something fresh all the time get worn out. I don't think many actors voluntarily leave a show unless they have another offer.

#10

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 2:55pm

My heart BLEEDS for them. It must be AWFUL to same repeatative job day after day, year after year for a minimum wage. (Like most of the rest of us). Or as someone once told me "That's why the call it 'work'"

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TWOGAAB "A Class Act" will never die!

#11

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 3:12pm

I think another reason the may move on is because they afraid to be typecast or pigeon-holed. Plus a lot of people have success on Broadway and they move on to TV or movies and it's hard to do those things when you have a commitment to a Broadway show that runs eight shows a week.

Didn't someone once day "Leave them wanting more" or something to that effect a long time ago?

#12

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:01pm

1) Their contracts are up.
2) They get another offer.
3) They're sick of putting on green makeup and signing autographs at the stage door.
4) They get fired because they're a terror offstage or on or both.

#13

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:05pm

Whoisquilty, that pretty much says it all. Hope you stick around.

#14

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:10pm

isn't it the same reason that those sandwiches from the 7-11 never taste real good, they go stale past their expiration date?

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Don't f*ck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.

#15

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:35pm

Personally I like it when Broadway musicals change their cast, gives me new bios to read in Playbill, although of course I am sad when special people that I like leave a show. Still it will sometimes tick me off when the ensemble of Beauty doesn't change. New blood is yummy.

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#16

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:47pm

Sometimes people just get too damn old for their roles. One of the reasons for the legendary "Les Miz Massacre" (when the producers fired the entire cast and made everyone re-audition) was that there were guys who had been in the show over 10 years and were in their 40's playing "students".

#17

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:27pm

Geeze! Carol Channing has played over 5,000 performaces in HELLO, DOLLY! and never tired of it. The newer crop of Broadway actors are wimps.

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"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

#18

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/10/06 at 1:41am

As an actor you sign a contract. The length of the conract is negotiable. Usually it's for one year. Stars can get less. After the contract is up you either renegotiate and stay on or leave the show. Unless the show doesn't want you to stay. Usually it's cheaper to keep an actor because you don't have to remake his or her wardrobe for someone else. As a union made silk frock on Broadway can cost $8,000.00, a pair of shoes $1,200.00, a wig $2,500, a man's shirt $250, it can add up to a lot of money to recast.

#19

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/10/06 at 2:13am

And yeah, the GWB crosses the Hudson.

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"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey

#20

re: Why do some Broadway musicals keep changing their actors?

Posted: 2/10/06 at 2:39am

They never say fired. It's called not renewing their contract. And, yes, it happens more often than the actor leaving on their own.

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