160 posts
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Post by stageyqueen on Feb 20, 2018 1:23:10 GMT
With the Cast Change rapidly approaching, an inside source of the show informed me that the announcement of "names" for the main roles in the show were being held back as a publicity stunt in order to try and sell more tickets when they are eventually announced in the near future.
Sheena is leaving and is off back to the USA at CC so the next few weeks are irrelevant.She may not have been a big name to sell the show but she and Tom Lister were still names nonetheless.
If the show producers try and sell the show on the back of a big name after Cast Change, let's face it, it is that "name" people will want to come and see not necessarily just the show itself, they will not want to travel long distances and pay top price money for the ticket only to end up seeing the understudy or standby.
For example, people went to see Craig Revel Horwood in Annie and not necessarily to see the role of Miss Hannigan. This is nothing about disrespecting the understudy or standby and of course there are situations when the person is ill, it is however a plain fact this is what the average theatre goer wants - this is unfortunately a consequence of what happens when you start casting a big name in to a part to try and sell the show.
Take Glenn Close as another example The show was sold on her name, people went to see her as Norma in Sunset and not just to see the show itself. The audience were really disappointed to get Ria Jones instead - who by the way turned out to be truly amazing, but Ria was so disheartened when she heard the groans and moans from the audience when Glenn was off sick. Really awful for her but she still went on against adversity and battled on. This is so wrong and quite rightly is disrespectful to the understudy who will put in a 100% to the role but by selling the name to sell the show creates this situation.
I guess the point I am waffling on to try and make is this; casting a big name in to a role over that of acting / theatre talent makes a complete mockery of a show and prevents "real" talented stage actors who have trained long and hard from ever getting the chance to land these big roles they all so deserve.
This what makes this type of "Name" casting a total mess in theatre. It should be cast on acting/singing talent alone and not if you are a celeb name or not to sell the show for you. That said, if producers are going to adopt this tactic to sell the show, then the public should be offered a refund or an alternate date at the Box Office if they are not happy to see the show with the understudy.
Unfortunately in situations like these, the "you go to see the show" does not work well.
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Post by shady23 on Feb 20, 2018 3:27:25 GMT
A little topic for opinion/discussion. Comments please. Most people in the business would agree you go to see the show regardless of who plays the role. However, when a show is clearly sold on "The Name" as 42nd is, and people buy the ticket to see the name on that basis, do you think people should be given the chance to switch to an alternative performance if "The name" Is off? The posters just say 42nd Street as far as I'm aware. I think it becomes a little different for the likes of Funny Girl when it was very much marketed as "Sheridan Smith in..." I'm sure we all on this board appreciate understudies more than most but people are allowed to be upset if the person you booked specifically to see is not on. There seems to be a bit of a movement along the lines of you are not allowed to be. If I have booked a show because there is a person in it that I like, and they're not on when I go I will be disappointed. This doesn't mean the understudy isn't respected and doesn't do a great performance etc etc but people look forward to seeing certain performers. This may be the "name" to some but could just as easily be someone in the ensemble who I am fan of and who I was hoping to see. |
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Post by viserys on Feb 20, 2018 6:01:41 GMT
With the Cast Change rapidly approaching, an inside source of the show informed me that the announcement of "names" for the main roles in the show were being held back as a publicity stunt in order to try and sell more tickets when they are eventually announced in the near future. Sheena is leaving and is off back to the USA at CC so the next few weeks are irrelevant.She may not have been a big name to sell the show but she and Tom Lister were still names nonetheless. If the show producers try and sell the show on the back of a big name after Cast Change, let's face it, it is that "name" people will want to come and see not necessarily just the show itself, they will not want to travel long distances and pay top price money for the ticket only to end up seeing the understudy or standby. Well... it'll depend on the name, won't it? But this is a topic that goes far beyond 42nd Street. Personally I haven't seen this production yet, because I was bored by 42nd Street in Paris last year and the version that's now in London was in Germany years ago where I did see it, so between those two, I can't be bothered to return. Would a "name" change my mind? MAYBE. I'm a foreigner, I don't know 90% of the X-Factor / Pop Idols / Strictly / whatever TV stars that are touted as names these days, so they hold no appeal to me. Names that would tempt me are people from television and movies I'd like to see live. But I'm aware that there's always a risk of that person being off to illness or something. I booked an entire weekend in London in summer for a particular performer, thinking that by booking twice I double my chances and yet I'm aware that he might be run over by a bus two days before I come over and won't be on. That's life. Actors are human beings and not robots. That said, I still think London is doing great in assuring that the first casts are on and if they can't do all performances per week, clearly state what performances they are NOT doing. Let me give you two examples of how things are here to see how bad they can be: Tanz der Vampire opened here in Köln last weekend with a new lead guy whom everyone is curious about. Same lead guy then posts on Facebook that he's missing several entire weekends (Friday / Saturday / Sunday) over the next few months, presumably because he does another show simultaneously in repertory at another theatre. How annoying is that for fans who travel longer distances, even have to stay overnight and can only do the weekend? Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame moved from Berlin to Stuttgart now, hyping up the "celebrated" cast from Berlin that's coming along. Turns out the lead guy who plays Quasimodo will be on from February to May, then miss complete months while he's doing summer shows elsewhere and not come back till late autumn. So... consider this, before you worry that the starry "names" that are joining 42nd Street may be missing the odd performance here and there, at least they aren't screwing with people's expectations consciously. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2018 6:53:35 GMT
I'm sure we all on this board appreciate understudies more than most but people are allowed to be upset if the person you booked specifically to see is not on. Of course people are allowed to be upset. The problem is when people start claiming they were promised particular things, or that there are laws that guarantee them someone's balls on a fork because they've had a disappointment, or generally whining that things have turned out the way they always knew they could instead of how they hoped. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2018 8:15:08 GMT
I'm sure we all on this board appreciate understudies more than most but people are allowed to be upset if the person you booked specifically to see is not on. There seems to be a bit of a movement along the lines of you are not allowed to be. If I have booked a show because there is a person in it that I like, and they're not on when I go I will be disappointed. This doesn't mean the understudy isn't respected and doesn't do a great performance etc etc but people look forward to seeing certain performers. This may be the "name" to some but could just as easily be someone in the ensemble who I am fan of and who I was hoping to see. There's a difference between being allowed to be upset and feeling entitled to a refund/rebooking etc. Of course anyone's allowed to be upset to a certain extent if a performer they want to see isn't on, we've all had it happen to us at one time or another I'm sure, but the simply fact underlying all of this is that in the UK you book a ticket to a show, not a ticket to see a particular person in the show. We don't do over-the-title refunds except in rare cases where the producers have banked everything on a megastar playing a lead role, and so you have no right whatsoever to get anything from the theatre if the person you came to see is ill. Nor do you have any right to insult the understudy just for doing their job, as some people seem to do on social media - it's not their fault the star isn't able to go on! The understudy unfortunately isn't respected by everyone, and that's part of the problem. I saw Sunset when Glenn Close was out - went to the box office to buy a last-minute ticket once I found out Ria was on, and I have to admit I was in two minds about the fact that the box office went to great lengths to tell me Ms Close wouldn't be performing, and seemed amazed when I said that was the whole reason I was there to get a ticket. Yes, she's a famous name, but the role is the same no matter who is doing it, so I did find it unfortunate that the ENO was giving people so much opportunity to moan before they'd even heard Ria sing... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2018 8:21:01 GMT
Sheena is leaving and is off back to the USA at CC so the next few weeks are irrelevant.She may not have been a big name to sell the show but she and Tom Lister were still names nonetheless. I guess the point I am waffling on to try and make is this; casting a big name in to a role over that of acting / theatre talent makes a complete mockery of a show and prevents "real" talented stage actors who have trained long and hard from ever getting the chance to land these big roles they all so deserve. I've cut your posts to the bits I want to reply to. I disagree that either Sheena (who was a fairly minor celebrity back in the day) or Tom Lister (who I'd never heard of) are "names", certainly not in the sense that any person in the street would use that idea. They were never advertised on the posters, and Sheena did a bit of promo for the show at the start, but so did the full ensemble. It really isn't a show that is marketed on any famous names in the cast, because really there isn't anyone high profile enough to enable that. And your second paragraph makes no sense to me - you seem to be implying that a "big name" is always completely talentless, which we all know is simply untrue. Half of them wouldn't be as famous as they are if they weren't extremely talented and good at what they do, which is why it is often a thrill to see them performing in something on stage. Plus many mega stars have also trained hard and grafted for years to get their big break and the role(s) that raised their profile to the level it is today. I'm afraid I think you do many of the higher profile names a great disservice and your argument simply doesn't add up. |
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Post by danb on Feb 20, 2018 8:40:21 GMT
Would be great for Catherine Zeta Jones to come and do this, even if only for a few weeks. Obviously she never has to work another day in her life, but how good would it be for her to come full circle?
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8,142 posts
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Post by alece10 on Feb 20, 2018 8:44:34 GMT
Have to pull you up on the fact that Sheena Easton was fairly minor back in the day
She was definately not minor and was a big pop star. This was in the days before social media so people were famous for their talent and not for how many people follow them on twitter or Instagram.
Anyone I spoke to about 42nd Street know instantly who she was when her name was mentioned.
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Post by theatreian on Feb 20, 2018 9:27:48 GMT
Have to agree with you on Sheena. She was a big star in her heyday. She was a major recording star, winning 2 grammys and actress appearing on Broadway and in shows such as Miami Vice. Most of the so called stars now have done nothing to justify their fame or have no proper talent to speak of except being famous for being on a reality show.
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Post by danb on Feb 20, 2018 9:30:20 GMT
Have to agree with you on Sheena. She was a big star in her heyday. She was a major recording star and actress appearing on Broadway and in shows such as Miami Vice. Most of the so called stars now have done nothing to justify their fame or have no proper talent to speak of except being famous for being on a reality show. ...like Sheena Easton. Who had a whole reality show based around her talent to launch her on the world. (Using tax payers cash incidentally BBC, did we all get a free 7” of 9-5...did we bog roll!) |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2018 9:38:57 GMT
Have to pull you up on the fact that Sheena Easton was fairly minor back in the day She was definately not minor and was a big pop star. This was in the days before social media so people were famous for their talent and not for how many people follow them on twitter or Instagram. Anyone I spoke to about 42nd Street know instantly who she was when her name was mentioned. Ok, fine. But she's only famous to people over a certain age - she's not a star of my generation at all and I only knew the name because my parents listened to radio stations that played older music when I was growing up! She certainly doesn't have the instant name recognition to almost everyone that the likes of Dame Judi Dench or Glenn Close do... |
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Post by alece10 on Feb 20, 2018 11:32:52 GMT
Have to pull you up on the fact that Sheena Easton was fairly minor back in the day She was definately not minor and was a big pop star. This was in the days before social media so people were famous for their talent and not for how many people follow them on twitter or Instagram. Anyone I spoke to about 42nd Street know instantly who she was when her name was mentioned. Ok, fine. But she's only famous to people over a certain age - she's not a star of my generation at all and I only knew the name because my parents listened to radio stations that played older music when I was growing up! She certainly doesn't have the instant name recognition to almost everyone that the likes of Dame Judi Dench or Glenn Close do... Oi!!! Don't bring my age into this. 😁 |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 20, 2018 11:49:51 GMT
On CBB the other week, Wayne Sleep had to explain to that Ginuwine bloke who Freddie Mercury was. Even when it was explained he still looked bemused.
Ginuwine is 47 years old and is in the music industry.
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Post by tonyloco on Feb 20, 2018 12:27:00 GMT
On CBB the other week, Wayne Sleep had to explain to that Ginuwine bloke who Freddie Mercury was. Even when it was explained he still looked bemused. Ginuwine is 47 years old and is in the music industry. That reminds me of an old joke that was doing the rounds some years ago. The time is around 1975. Knock! Knock! Who's there? Richard Milhous. Richard Milhouse who? Don't tell me you have forgotten me already! This of course is ex-President Richard Milhouse Nixon who resigned as POTUS after the Watergate Scandal in the early 1970s. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2018 17:13:13 GMT
The modern version:
"Knock knock"
"Who's there?"
"Donald Trump"
(Immediately hits him in the face, because you would, wouldn't you?)
(The punchline is the queue down the street waiting for their turn.)
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Post by greeny11 on Feb 21, 2018 8:09:06 GMT
Saw this for the third time last night. Clare Halse is as stunning as ever as Peggy - I really hope she gets recognised at the upcoming awards. I still really like Sheena Easton's Dorothy, and think she'll be a tough act to follow for whoever takes over. Norman Bowman was on as Julian Marsh - I really enjoyed seeing him a much bigger part. He certainly has the voice to deliver Lullaby and the 42nd Street reprise. I particularly enjoyed the scene where he was trying to get Peggy to become more convincing with her acting. I did miss him as Pat though, as Philip Bertoli did look a bit too young for Sheena! Stuart Neal as Billy was incredible as ever, especially with the singing and dancing. I really hope he gets a nomination at the Oliviers. I certainly hope he gets one over Chris Howell who I found a little irritating (especially in Shuffle Off To Buffalo, though I'm not a fan of that number anyway).
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Post by stageyqueen on Feb 21, 2018 13:03:24 GMT
Saw this for the third time last night. Clare Halse is as stunning as ever as Peggy - I really hope she gets recognised at the upcoming awards. I still really like Sheena Easton's Dorothy, and think she'll be a tough act to follow for whoever takes over. Norman Bowman was on as Julian Marsh - I really enjoyed seeing him a much bigger part. He certainly has the voice to deliver Lullaby and the 42nd Street reprise. I particularly enjoyed the scene where he was trying to get Peggy to become more convincing with her acting. I did miss him as Pat though, as Philip Bertoli did look a bit too young for Sheena! Stuart Neal as Billy was incredible as ever, especially with the singing and dancing. I really hope he gets a nomination at the Oliviers. I certainly hope he gets one over Chris Howell who I found a little irritating (especially in Shuffle Off To Buffalo, though I'm not a fan of that number anyway). I love the way Sheena can hit those notes especially in Shadow Waltz. I will be sorry to see Norman go, I like him as JM. His replacement at CC is well known and will play the part well. (sorry sworn to secrecy on who it is) Totally agree with you re Philip playing Pat - He looks more like her son than her lover! With Stuart going he will be missed. With 3 weeks to go until CC it will be interesting to see who takes over the top spots. I was rather hoping it would be Philip for Billy but that is not to be. I wonder if they will give it to Dylan Mason? |
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 21, 2018 13:49:51 GMT
Returning, briefly, to the earlier post about 'stars', although I never buy a programme, I always make a point of picking up a flyer for my collection. The current flyer for 42nd Street, which I picked up just a few weeks ago, does indeed have Sheena Easton, in largish capitals, as the star, along with Tom Lister, in slightly smaller capitals.
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Post by stageyqueen on Feb 21, 2018 22:45:42 GMT
Ok everyone- The waiting is almost over. The new cast press release is currently scheduled for Friday, so keep your eyes and ears open! One name at the top replacing Sheena. ( Guess who?) Heard also Greg Bernstein is going but Ryan Gover is staying.
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Post by ruby on Feb 21, 2018 23:09:22 GMT
Looking forward to the cast announcement as my next (4th) visit is booked for April. Bit sad that I'm unlikely to get chance to see the current cast again, thank goodness for the recording.
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Post by Elle on Feb 21, 2018 23:26:54 GMT
I wasn't paying much attention to the cast change before but now your posts have made me really curious stageyqueen, as to who these big names are... |
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Post by Boob on Feb 21, 2018 23:36:40 GMT
Ok everyone- The waiting is almost over. The new cast press release is currently scheduled for Friday, so keep your eyes and ears open! One name at the top replacing Sheena. ( Guess who?) Heard also Greg Bernstein is going but Ryan Gover is staying. Kim Medcalf? 😉 |
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 21, 2018 23:46:48 GMT
I mean it’s never gonna happen, but I’d love Catherine Zeta Jones to do it. Real Hollywood and a lovey nod to the shows past.
Hey, I’m interested to see who’s actually gonna do it!
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Post by shady23 on Feb 22, 2018 7:14:09 GMT
Ok everyone- The waiting is almost over. The new cast press release is currently scheduled for Friday, so keep your eyes and ears open! One name at the top replacing Sheena. ( Guess who?) Heard also Greg Bernstein is going but Ryan Gover is staying. So Baz releasing it tonight? Cannot wait. |
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Post by zak97 on Feb 22, 2018 9:35:11 GMT
Ok everyone- The waiting is almost over. The new cast press release is currently scheduled for Friday, so keep your eyes and ears open! One name at the top replacing Sheena. ( Guess who?) Heard also Greg Bernstein is going but Ryan Gover is staying. Do you know if Tom is staying? |
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