Leslie Odom Jr Leaving Hamilton

[belrowley]

ukmusicalfanatic said: "But yet the producers will be able to find a talented young actor to replace him who would absolutely leap at the chance to probably be paid half of that."

And while I understand the capitalistic reasoning behind this, I find the mindset deplorable. The show is a beast and requires performers with a very specific skill set. It's going to be very difficult to replace someone like LOJ or Diggs, even if the producers want to focus on the "brand" rather than the star. Will they do this every single year, replacing actors before they get too big for their britches?

LOJ said that the profit-sharing negotiations nearly "broke the company" and he's the one who led the charge - I wouldn't discount the producers holding it against him. If he's serious about being left out of the OBC recording, then signs point to something more serious than an actor simply wanting to leave to pursue new opportunities.

At the end of the day, the producers have the right to do whatever they want, and Hamilton will continue to be a monster hit. But it would have been smart to stagger the departures - both for publicity and for planning for understudies/new actors to take over the role. Even an extension by few months would have been nice. And I can't imagine LOJ's demands being SO outrageous that the producers couldn't possibly accept them.

[blaxx]

If there is a chance that the hype leads into the show selling out for another year or more; the producers have zero incentive to keep any of these performers around. Let alone paying them more or accommodating any requests. 

As always, the caring is from a fan base perspective. The business has no need for any of them. 

[ukmusicalfanatic]

Hellob said: "ukmusicalfanatic said: "Hellob said: "gypsy101 said: "since when was he paid "next to nothing"? no matter what the specific salary, if you are starring in a Broadway show you aren't making next to nothing.

" 
Next to nothing relative to the bounty. 
 
"
But yet the producers will be able to find a talented young actor to replace him who would absolutely leap at the chance to probably be paid half of that.

"
But what kind of person does that? It's ok because it's entertainment? I'm guessing you don't feel the same about the people who say that about regular people's jobs. Is it ok if you ask for a raise and your boss says I don't need you, I can get someone for 1/2 your salary. Acting is their career and to hold the fact that someone else would die for their job so they can eat it is not cool. 
"
I'm not saying I agree with it at all because I really don't. I think Leslie and all the original cast are extremely talented and really have elevated the material to its current level. Unfortunately the acting industry is a brutal place and our feeling bad for the actors will never change that. 

We don't know what's gone on behind the scenes at all and I definitely don't agree that someone should be replaced by the cheaper option.

 

[Broadway Forever2]

belrowley said: "ukmusicalfanatic said: "

At the end of the day, the producers have the right to do whatever they want, and Hamilton will continue to be a monster hit. But it would have been smart to stagger the departures - both for publicity and for planning for understudies/new actors to take over the role. Even an extension by few months would have been nice. And I can't imagine LOJ's demands being SO outrageous that the producers couldn't possibly accept them.

 

"

Exactly what kind of publicity is it to have all the major actors leave after the contracts end on the same day. If Daveed, Chris and Renee leave as well basically you had all the Tony nominees leave at once right after their contracts ending. I get wanting the show to be the star but also so much of the fanbase for the show has grown attached to these actors and wanted to see them. And they've all been with the show for such a long time. 

The producers just don't want to spend money and keep it for themselves. I understand it from a capitalist perspective but why not reward the actors who have been with the show for so long? The fact that he's threatening to not be in the recording of the original cast makes me think it's definitely more than him just moving on to something else. 

[ukmusicalfanatic]

The producers just don't want to spend money and keep it for themselves. I understand it from a capitalist perspective but why not reward the actors who have been with the show for so long? The fact that he's threatening to not be in the recording of the original cast makes me think it's definitely more than him just moving on to something else. 

 

"

I haven't seen the video yet, does he say it as though he's threatening not to do it then? Or that things aren't working out to do it? Or could it be that he has pre-booked holidays and things can't be moved around? I guess we will find out soon enough.

[blaxx]

You obviously know nothing about business. There is no 'rewarding' actors. They don't have an emotional attachment to them; either it makes sense business wise or not. If the whole cast leaves tomorrow, the seats are still sold. 

[Broadway Forever2]

ukmusicalfanatic said: "


 

"

I haven't seen the video yet, does he say it as though he's threatening not to do it then? Or that things aren't working out to do it? Or could it be that he has pre-booked holidays and things can't be moved around? I guess we will find out soon enough.

 

"

I haven't seen the video either but why else would he say that? I mean I assume they were planning of filming it on a day when the whole cast was there since Lin called it a film of the original cast. It seems like a threat or at least something is going on behind the scenes.. Maybe I'm completely wrong. 

[billyelliotfan123]

Has anyone considered that maybe it is just time for al of them to move on? People get sick of being in shows, exciting roles come their way. There is nothing wrong with that at all

[ukmusicalfanatic]

Broadway Forever2 said: "ukmusicalfanatic said: "


 

"

I haven't seen the video yet, does he say it as though he's threatening not to do it then? Or that things aren't working out to do it? Or could it be that he has pre-booked holidays and things can't be moved around? I guess we will find out soon enough.

 

"

I haven't seen the video either but why else would he say that? I mean I assume they were planning of filming it on a day when the whole cast was there since Lin called it a film of the original cast. It seems like a threat or at least something is going on behind the scenes.. Maybe I'm completely wrong. 

 

"

I guess we will find out, but it certainly does sound like something else is in the mix. 

[Broadway Forever2]

blaxx said: "You obviously know nothing about business. There is no 'rewarding' actors. They don't have an emotional attachment to them; either it makes sense business wise or not. If the whole cast leaves tomorrow, the seats are still sold. 

 

"

Ok maybe i'm an idealist but you would think they would at least pay their Tony winners at least until the end of the summer. But you know what you are probably right. The only one the general public cares about at all is Lin and it's still selling without him.  But having the whole cast change isn't the best publicity, especially in the theater community. 

[gypsy101]

clearly the producers are heartless capitalists.

also, Lin makes much more than $100,000 a week. he's making 10% of the gross plus his salary as star. he is making bank.

[Hellob]

blaxx said: "You obviously know nothing about business. There is no 'rewarding' actors. They don't have an emotional attachment to them; either it makes sense business wise or not. If the whole cast leaves tomorrow, the seats are still sold. 

 

"

That is not true. Tv and movie actors are regularly rewarded with cars, back end deals,etc for exceeding expectations. The second contract is where the real money comes. 

Hamilton is like The Avengers of Broadway. We aren't talking about some indie film. 

[Hellob]

Seems like most of the FB comments are along the lines of "what a jerk, gets his Tony and bounces"

[gypsy101]

pretty sure if the whole cast left today they would have to cancel

[Auggie27]

"Ok maybe i'm an idealist but you would think they would at least pay their Tony winners at least until the end of the summer."

Union contracts aren't based on seasons or awards, they are negotiated with finite terms, including start and end dates.  It's not as if a producer simply adds on weeks or additional salary on a whim, good will, or to reward.  I sometimes think people forget this is an industry, with union members and hard-won terms that give bargaining power to both sides of the table.  It's not about feelings or capricious decisions after someone is awarded or not.  

[MinervaMoon]

gypsy101 said: also, Lin makes much more than $100,000 a week. he's making 10% of the gross plus his salary as star. he is making bank.

Unless this article is out of date, he makes 7% of the gross, plus his salary, maybe a little more if the show has recouped a certain amount, and obviously more in the future once it starts spreading. But for now, I said "over $100K" because that's what was reported he gets in royalties alone; granted I don't know his salary, but I'm just guessing it's less than $45K/wk, which is the difference between 7% and 10%. So I guess it depends on what you mean by "much more than $100,000 a week".

[RippedMan]

No way Lin is making $100k/wk as an actor. Maybe after everything else is factored in, but def not as an actor. That would just be awful business as a producer. 

[dramamama611]

Again....none of us know what he asked for.. what was "enough money" for him to stay.  You can't imagine he wasn't offered any raise.  And remember, some one here made the comment about hiring someone for 1/2 the money.

 

They've been auditioning, and they already know if they found someone they believe in. (Which could be an understudy.)

 

If they all leave..yes there is likely a problem....but now it sounds as if the only one feeling forced out has been Leslie.  Phillipa seems to have made a personal/professional choice. Lin will continue making bank. So 2 out of three doesn't seem to point to incredibly cheap producers.  Yet.

[Broadway Forever2]

Hellob said: "Seems like most of the FB comments are along the lines of "what a jerk, gets his Tony and bounces"

 

"

Really? Majority of the comments I've seen actully mention the producers and contract negotiations or are mad that they are leaving after they bought tickets. 

[Hellob]

Broadway Forever2 said: "Hellob said: "Seems like most of the FB comments are along the lines of "what a jerk, gets his Tony and bounces"

 

"

Really? Majority of the comments I've seen actully mention the producers and contract negotiations or are mad that they are leaving after they bought tickets. 

 

"

There are a lot of "I have tickets for after" but I haven't seen anything about the producers or money. We must be getting different articles in our feeds. Mine are definitely going the entitled jerk who got his award and doesn't care about the ticket holders. 

[blaxx]

Hellob said: "blaxx said: "You obviously know nothing about business. There is no 'rewarding' actors. They don't have an emotional attachment to them; either it makes sense business wise or not. If the whole cast leaves tomorrow, the seats are still sold. 

 

"

That is not true. Tv and movie actors are regularly rewarded with cars, back end deals,etc for exceeding expectations. The second contract is where the real money comes. 

Hamilton is like The Avengers of Broadway. We aren't talking about some indie film. 

 

"

That is when the performer is bringing in the moola, love. This is not the cast of Friends, that would make the whole operation fall apart if they left. There is zero need to reward these performers any further because their presence or their absence has no impact on the show's revenue. 

[swanjewel]

Bettyboy72 said: "These folks are crazy to be distancing themselves so quickly from this cash cow. Outside of this show they are nobodies. Does Leslie really think his album will be a hit? Ask Idina and all the tired old Rent original cast how easy it is. Leslie and Daveed will be begging to do the Hamilton 20th Anniversary tour. "

LMM and Groff are/were the only "names" in Hamilton with Groff being more well known outside of Broadway.  I'd say both of their stars are on the rise in terms of projects lined up.  Do I think the other will be nobodies after? I hope not.  

For me, I was sure about Lin, Phillipa, and Leslie leaving. If Groff hadn't left in April, he would leaving July 9th as well. I think Daveed and Renee as well as the other principals will extend.

I am surprised Leslie said he wouldn't be in the filming.  It's odd to me...What's the point of filming if the original Burr isn't in it?

[QueenAlice]

There are indeed union mandated pay "bumps" for an after actor they have won a Tony award for that performance. 

What is of course worth considering is that all contracts for the principles are presumably up July 9: about a month after the Tony's. The producers opened on Broadway knowing this would be the case. They also knew they were opening on Broadway with Hamilton already a sensational hit. 

As has been described already in great detail, there are many reasons why it makes good business sense to replace the cast now at the height of its pop-culture zenith. To keep the leads around-- to renew their contracts -- is not only expensive, it makes the show about its "stars," which is a strategy they surely want to avoid.

 

 I think you could also make the argument that keeping Tony winner Leslie Odom around but having him play opposite a non-star Alexander Hamilton could tip the balance of the story in a way the authors don't want. 

I think it's the reason why you usually see a new Glinda and Elphaba start at the same time in Wicked. It would also certainly unbalance that story if they tried to star cast one of those roles, which of course they wisely have not.

 

 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

The three covers for Burr are fabulously talented, but I'd be lying if I (and many other fans) said I wouldn't be disappointed in the OBC filming. Especially because his Tony winning performance deserves to be seen by many, whenever it happens to be. He isn't leaving for three weeks...I hope he is able to take care of whatever is preventing him from definitely being involved.

His departure from the show only a month after winning the Tony seems sudden to many, but it seems that some are forgetting he's finishing up a year run on Broadway. Maybe for him, he felt that would be enough if certain demands couldn't be met during renegotiations.

[gypsy101]

MinervaMoon said: "Unless this article is out of date, he makes 7% of the gross, plus his salary, maybe a little more if the show has recouped a certain amount, and obviously more in the future once it starts spreading. But for now, I said "over $100K" because that's what was reported he gets in royalties alone; granted I don't know his salary, but I'm just guessing it's less than $45K/wk, which is the difference between 7% and 10%. So I guess it depends on what you mean by "much more than $100,000 a week"."

I hadn't seen that article from 10 days ago, the last one I had seen about the topic said he would be making 10% of the weekly gross after the show recouped (which it certainly has by this point). Either way, he is making bank.

What I don't like about Seller as a producer in general is he seems to view actors as expendable.

[QueenAlice]

 If Leslie ops out of the filming, you can be sure it's a personal vendetta. And again, one that will only come back to haunt him, because holding out for a few thousand extra dollars hardly compensates for not having your performance be preserved for posterity. Who lives, who dies, and who tells your story indeed…

And Gypsy- actors ARE dispensable. At least in this instance.  Blaxx is right that most posts on this forrum come from admiration and love for the performers, but You also need to put on your business cap. Broadway is big business. 

I'm sure the producers of this musical feel like the unprecedented percentage share of the profit they have given to the cast is compensation for their contribution enough. They owe them nothing more.