Major life announcements

[MaryClare]

Of course shows stunt cast all the time. And I assume Laurie will bring a minor boost in ticket sales outside the usual theater going crowd. But it just will not be significant. Laurie has 1.3 million followers on Instagram. She is replacing Charli D"Amelio who has 41.2 Million followers on Instagram and likely was a real case of pure stunt casting.

Right, so still stunt casting. Just possibly less high profile and more talented than the stunt cast she’s replacing?

 

[JaJa]

Right, so still stunt casting. Just possibly less high profile and more talented than the stunt cast she’s replacing?

omg

 

[Aizheng]

Shows stunt cast all the time. It keeps them in the public eye, gives them a ton of free advertising and potentially exposes the show to a new audience. Thats great that they’ve managed to fill seats for 4 years, but they’ll want to do so for another 4 years.

Do you genuinely believe Laurie went through the normal audition process with hundreds of others, multiple call backs etc having tried unsuccessfully for numerous other productions?

I mean, I assume there are actually quite a few actors on broadway that did not go through this process. Maybe because they knew someone, someone saw them somewhere, it was a thing through their school alumni etc.

The reality is, there are a lot more qualified applicants than positions in acting. As opposed to what people like to believe, final decisions come down to luck/ who knows who etc. much more than who is “most qualified”.

 

[QuietColours]

I'll be mostly interested to see bits of her performance when the bootlegs show up on YouTube

 

[KathySantoni]

I am sorry but I do not see this as "stunt casting" Laurie Hernandez is an unknown to most of the world outside the gymnaverse. She has the personality for acting, can dance -- she won DWTS -- and she (I think graduated or is graduating this year) from NYU with a major in drama. I am quite certain she won the role. If they chose Simone Biles I would say, ok, you can call it 'stunt casting." But Laurie earned the role I am I sure.

I agree, my husband and I hit up a few Broadway shows a year and the idea that a production of this caliber would pick her for clout is a bit absurd. Rio was 10 years ago and that team did not make that significant of a splash for her to have that level of relevancy these days. The Rio success (with the exception of Simone) was also soon overtaken and forgotten about with the Nassar case coming to light a few months after.

 

[JaJa]

I mean, I assume there are actually quite a few actors on broadway that did not go through this process. Maybe because they knew someone, someone saw them somewhere, it was a thing through their school alumni etc.

The reality is, there are a lot more qualified applicants than positions in acting. As opposed to what people like to believe, final decisions come down to luck/ who knows who etc. much more than who is “most qualified”.

Talent is certainly part of the equation, but you are very correct; so is just plain luck and connections for sure. And when it comes to the sort of connections and influence that matter in theater, Laurie Hernandez is not high on the list. Did they think it might be cool to have an Olympic gymnast in the ensemble cast? I am sure they did. Still not a case of stunt casting.

 

[makam]

She earned the role.

You can't declare that as fact unless you have some insider knowledge you aren't sharing. No, it isn't like they cast Mr. Beast in the role, but she does have a higher profile than the average ensemble dancer/actor and it leads to speculation. She works for a network and has been invited to industry events and red carpets. I'm sure rubbing elbows with producers and donors and making other useful connections doesn't hurt your chances of them remembering your name when a part opens up. Advantages the majority of broadway hopefuls lack.

If she is actually great in the role, the "stunt casting" chatter will go away.

 

[KristyJ]

It is possible to be a stunt cast and also great in the role, too. One does not preclude the other.