Mamma Mia! casting

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 11:29am

So, I realize Mamma Mia! isn't popular amongst broadway fans, especially on this board, but i know from several cast members that 3 of them, Felicia Finley (Tanya), Lauren Cohn (Rosie) and Alan Campbell (Sam) are leaving the show this Sunday, February 1.

I'm curious as to why they haven't announced this yet, being that the new cast will most likely start performances next week? Don't cast announcements usually go out a few weeks in advance? I don't think it's big news (compared to say, Jennifer Nettles joining Chicago) but 3 of their principals are leaving and I think for the show as a whole, that's pretty big. I know last year they had 5 principals leave around the same date and they made an announcement then regarding the new casting.

Just curious as to why the show hasn't announced yet.

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 11:32am

Because the show is the star...

[ethan231h]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 11:48am

Carly Hughes was announced for Pippin until like a day before her opening night.

Updated On: 1/30/15 at 11:48 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 11:49am

Some shows try to downplay who's in the cast because they don't want that to be the primary reason for you going.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:24pm

As someone who adored Felicia Finley and Lauren Cohen's work in Mamma Mia, the fact that you fine their leaving Mamma Mia! a more newsworthy event than Jennifer Nettles in Chicago means that you need to step outside of the theatre district more often. Nettles is far as away the bigger story of the two.
As far as Mamma Mia, they do put out press releases for cast changes, but this is not lead time newsworthy. The show has been running for well over a decade, it is not the hot new ticket. The press releases that will get attention for them are the milestones and if someone big goes in.
Based on recent Facebook posts, I think I know who one of the new actors is, though I haven't asked anyone, and I can tell you that talented though she may be, the only way her casting would be at the top of Playbill.com is if she were part of a brand new company opening somewhere,

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 12:26pm

Won't she end up on PlaybillVault soon, then?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 1:14pm

?
Everyone ends up on. PlaybillVault..

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 2:04pm

I'm just saying people can wait a bit.

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 2:44pm

Actually, BroadwayGuy2, as I stated earlier, I DON'T think it's big news compared to Jennifer Nettles joining Chicago. But, I still think it's worthy of a press release. Having 3 out of 8 principals leave on the same day is a big deal, regardless of the show, at least in my opinion.I also know it is not the hot ticket; I've been there 13 times over the past few months and can clearly see the audience dwindling; not to mention, i know how to read broadwaygrosses. i am aware who the new rosie & tanya are and although i don't think it's BIG news, i still believe if a cast is replacing 3 principals, it should be announced. that's all i'm trying to say & i was wondering if anyone knew why it would not be announced yet being that it is happening in 3 days.

Thanks Lizzie Curry & Ethan231H for your insight.

EDIT: they just announced the les mis casting which is happening in march. though i don't think the casting will increase ticket sales - (nor will the mamma mia one) the fact is, it's still announced. and a month in advance. that's all i'm trying to get at here. hah. Updated On: 1/30/15 at 02:44 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/30/15 at 3:59pm

The press release is not announced because it is a throw away release.
It is totally fine that you find it important. I am not arguing that. But news / press worthy, Nettles is a name. She takes more notice for that.
Sorry about it.
I was not trying to be offensive, but really.. When considering what warrants a press release and when is a very different standard than the one you are applying. That is all.