Will any of the original Principals be in Hamilton after July 9th?- Page 3

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 4:00am

Technically, Phillipa is not Asian, but Eurasian like Darren Criss. And just because Asian actors are not particularly favored on the west coast, it doesn't mean they shouldn't be venturing to give it a shot. Who knows? If the team of Shuffle Along never dared to move to Broadway, where their skin color was not appreciated then, we might have a totally different history of musical theater. So best wishes to Phillipa! 

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 4:26am

yknot, the project you're referencing is a side effect of Soo already planning a temporarily move to Los Angeles, not the other way around.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 5:49am

I love that you all seem to know what she should do with her life.

 

Frankly, I wouldn't fault a single one of them for leaving. Or not leaving.  They know what kind of interest and offers they've gotten. Or not.  They need to strike while the iron is hot.  If they stay we other the show  "too long" they become undesirable  - as if they as requested either lazy or no one else is willing to work with them.  

 

Will all of them have big careers?  No, of course not, but they all don't want BIG careers.

 

But when you look at the leads from the other monster hits, most have met with big success outside of bway...Wicked, Mormon, Spring Awakening - all had stars that have gotten national success.

Updated On: 6/16/16 at 05:49 AM

[MyLife]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 9:41am

It is not the producer's or any cast member's responsibilities to announce any departure news to protect the pockets and wallets of those buying tickets off the resale market. As far as they are concerned, their shows are sold out and announcing any departures can't affect ticket sales. People buying scalped tickets are buying the tickets to see Hamilton, not anyone specifically starring in Hamilton. will they be disappointed if Lin is gone after July 9 and their ticket is for July 12? Probably... but there is no way you can blame the producers for that. In the end, these people will go to the show and enjoy it.Then they can run home and brag about having seen Hamilton, which let's be honest, is the real reason why people are spending this much money on it: to be able to say they saw it.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 9:52am

And even if they weren't, it's irrelevant. No producer or actor is under any obligation to announce a departure for ticket-buying patrons within a certain timeframe. To suggest otherwise is not only inaccurate but ridiculous and disingenuous. 

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 11:55am

MyLife said: "It is not the producer's or any cast member's responsibilities to announce any departure news to protect the pockets and wallets of those buying tickets off the resale market. As far as they are concerned, their shows are sold out and announcing any departures can't affect ticket sales."

 

Great point. That the show is already sold out through the summer, officially, so really in theory official ticket sales cannot be affected by this. Fair enough. That is probably the thinking. The other shows I mentioned--announcing the departure date of a celebrated actor could but only help sales.

 

"

 

[kreichelt]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:00pm

Did Phillipa Soo "give up" the role on Broadway in Great Comet?  I mean, she went from it to HAMILTON, but was she offered the option to go back?  Denée Benton was fabulous at the ART, and I'm glad she'll be in it.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:02pm

Only Phillipa knows the answer to that.

[Adair Haywind]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:53pm

Leslie stated this morning that he's still in negotiations. I think the producers are wanting the Tony winning actors to stay for at least the remainder of the summer. 

Lin's contract is technically up July 9th, but he did say he'll for sure be back. I don't blame him for wanting to take a break from this at all. The guy has got to be exhausted. He'll also be shooting Mary Poppins Returns soon, so he'd be taking time off for that regardless.

[seriously13]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 1:49pm

I think it makes a lot of sense for the original Principals to "take a break" from the show.  Many of them have been performing the same role for what?  Fifteen months straight, eight days a week?  That's gotta be rough.  And hard to keep things fresh for the audience.  At least some of them must have some great opportunities ahead of them.  And for others, this may be the best time for them to chase opportunities they want or risk being forever typecast.  I believe that Phillipa has said that she would like to get a job that does not involve her wearing a corset!

Certainly, we can all be bought, so if any of the Principals (especially the Tony winners and those with family obligations) are made offers they simply cannot refuse, who am I to judge?  But I can't fault any of the Principals for wanting to move on, regardless of how much people would love to see them continue to perform in Hamilton.

(edited post) Updated On: 6/14/16 at 01:49 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 1:56pm

seriously13, why would you say that? It's very inappropriate and rude to comment on something like that.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 2:01pm

kreichelt said: "Did Phillipa Soo "give up" the role on Broadway in Great Comet?  I mean, she went from it to HAMILTON, but was she offered the option to go back?  Denée Benton was fabulous at the ART, and I'm glad she'll be in it."

someone in another thread said specifically that the producers asked her to come to Broadway in Great Comet and declined (which only makes sense since everyone in the show was in it off-Broadway except Josh Groban).

[seriously13]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 2:02pm

(post deleted)

Updated On: 6/14/16 at 02:02 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 2:05pm

You offended me. Let me guess, you're a man.

[seriously13]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 2:10pm

(deleted post)

Updated On: 6/14/16 at 02:10 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 2:11pm

It doesn't matter if it's anonymous or not, or whether it's "correct." If you're a woman, do you want people speculating on YOUR BODY in public? It's just respect.

Updated On: 6/14/16 at 02:11 PM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 6:11pm

Not that it's that important to this conversation, but Dunkelman has spun the American Idol situation as leaving a job he hated where he saw the contestants being exploited and couldn't suck it up and perform on cue like Seacrest. And say what you will about him, Seacrest is a rare breed. Anyway, it's not really comparable to any of the principals in Hamilton.
 

[brdwayjunkie1391]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 1:20am

I've noticed a few Leslie concerts coming up in the Bay Area the first being on July 23...so that may be a sign that he's not planning on extending for much longer. He also has some in Nov. here, as well as one with Daveed in Philly in August. 

IMO Leslie and Daveed's roles will be the hardest to replace. They are both just so damn good. I have tickets for December so I'm already preparing myself for not getting to see any of the major original cast members. 

 

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 1:26am

On 'Watch What Happens Live," Odom reiterated that his contract is up July 9 and that he's "in negotiations" to extend. He also said that, if his time on the show is done, he has no regrets. I really wonder how strong the negotiating position is of the cast members -- way weaker than just about any other Tony winner in history, I would think. Like any employee, he deserves to be rewarded for his loyalty, excellence and experience but does "Hamilton" have much incentive to pay him more money? I would guess the show can get someone very talented to play Burr, probably for less than they're paying Odom in his current contract, with little to no repercussions at the box office -- especially since the show is virtually sold out for most of the time Odom would be re-upping for. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 2:19am

@knewitwhen-the production very much wants both men to stay, and will pay. It's a negotiation; you don't just cave. It's no different than any job that is not fungible. And no they most certainly cannot easily find the likes of either. Plus there is a strong reason to maintain the going concern.

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 1:47pm

I'm curious. What is that "strong reason?"

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 4:21pm

I'm not an actor or a singer or entertainer in any way, but I get that creative people sometimes need to find new projects just for the sake of it.  I don't think they are in it for the money - would be crazy if they were, given the odds.  They're in it for their craft, and if staying feels right to them, they'll stay.  If they're feeling confined or that they can't give anymore to the character they're playing, then maybe they move on.  Let someone else bring something new to the stage.  I am beyond excited for Javier to finally be able to step up.  He deserves this so much  - what it must be like to have been in his place this last year...  what a gracious man he is.  Can't wait to see him in the production - and anyone else that comes along.  I wish them all the best!!

[Broadway Forever2]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 4:30pm

yknot said: "Phillipa Soo has a very good reason for both leaving Ham and not joining Comet that I imagine will be announced soon enough. Suffice it to say, no one in this thread has been close.

 

"

Wait what? I hope you'renot saying what I think you are. But I'll stop 

Updated On: 6/16/16 at 04:30 PM

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 4:41pm

I originally thought I heard Odom was planning on leaving because he wanted to work on his music career. But at the Tony award nominees' round table when they talked about diversity he said something in the  vein of white actors who are Tony nominees always have a multitude of offers coming in but he doesn't even though he has this great role. He said something to the tune of "I mean don't worry about me, I'm fine, I have my music career I can pursue." But it didn't sound as though he affirmatively WANTS to leave the stage, so maybe he will stay. I don't blame him for negotiating either. He won a Tony and should use it to his advantage. 

 

Anyway his comments made me very sad. He is one of the most talented actors on the stage right now. He deserves to have the offers piling up. 

[John Adams]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 4:55pm

brdwayjunkie1391 said: "IMO Leslie and Daveed's roles will be the hardest to replace. They are both just so damn good."

Yes, but I feel pretty certain that there are a number of excellent actors who have been grooming themselves for this opportunity, just like there were actresses preparing themselves for the opportunity to perform Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked. (and many other shows/roles)

Whoever eventually replaces these actors are going to be pretty fine actors themselves.