Cody Simpson to make Broadway debut in Anastasia as Dmitry- Page 2

[MannPhan24601]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 8:17pm

Remember the David Cook going to Kinky Boots thread ? This seems so negative compared to that even though there were so many "is this a joke " comments?? Feels like Broadway is casting my childhood

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 8:19pm

Hi have no idea who this is. Never heard the name before today. But this is over the holidays when families with kids who (I guess) like him will be here, I guess it’s not a bad idea for sales?

[Rainah]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 8:25pm

I'm still laughing at the person on facebook who called him a "Diet Anatole"

Anastasia fans might be upset, but they're not really the target market for this. They already like the show. They've already seen the show. They will likely buy tickets again (because it's their favourite regardless of who is playing Dmitry, to see Christy before she goes, etc). Their target market is fans of Cody Simpson who will now buy a ticket to see him in it.

[Br0adway]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 8:57pm

Most of tonight's comments from Christy's instagram live are: why is Zach leaving, Cody who?, Cody will fail, or what are your thoughts/feelings about this.

I didnt take notice to see if any of the girls are reading the comments.

I'm starting to feel bad for the guy. Literally everyone thinks hes going fail. I mean, maybe he will but give him a chance first.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 9:04pm

Im really suprised at all this hate.

And yeah I watched the live too, no one was really happy about Cody.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 10:47pm

Was Cody Simpson ever on DWTS? I'm trying to figure out why his name is so familiar to this old fogey. Does he have a twin brother?

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 10:51pm

I’m shocked Anastasia is getting lashed at. I thought given the fanbase, they’ll be overjoyed that a dream boat is getting hired. It isn’t like Cinderella where they hired reality stars to be the Stepmother.

For me, it’s WHY they hired a pop star when any Broadway name like Aaron Tviet or Corey Cott would be perfectly fine.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 10:55pm

Okay, my granddaughter told me Cody Simpson WAS on DWTS a few years ago. He didn't last long.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 11:10pm

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "I’m shocked Anastasia is getting lashed at. I thought given the fanbase, they’ll be overjoyed that a dream boat is getting hired. It isn’t like Cinderella where they hired reality stars to be the Stepmother."

I think it’s a few things, really. Cody isn’t exactly a theatre star and has no acting experience (that I know of - I’m not an expert on Aussie pop stars). Dmitry is supposed to be nearly 30, and not only is Cody actually much younger than that, but he reads very young too, especially compared to Christy Altomare. The fanbase seems less concerned with a shallow “dreamboat” than with someone who fits the role - after all, Zach Adkins is a handsome dude but not necessarily an “animated prince” guy the way Derek Klena looks, but they love him a lot.

That’s actually the other thing: I’m seeing some reactions that seem to think Zach is somehow getting pushed aside in a Comet-sequel way; whether that’s true or not, he’s remarkably well-loved considering this is his only Broadway credit, and a lot of fans seem to be very much “team Zach” in this imagined snub. 

Updated On: 10/16/18 at 11:10 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 10/16/18 at 11:42pm

He did a cd signing about 4 years ago at my friend's store.  I looked at some recent pictures of him.  He looks way older than 21 now.  Fours years ago he really did look younger than his age.  Could be some bad pictures I saw, but, to me, he could easily play 30 years old.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 12:09am

If Zach is an original cast member he could have just not renewed. Or maybe they bought him out. He’s not getting “fired” for no reason, that’s what unions are for. He’s fine. And can Simpson sing? I mean “My Petersburg” is a tough song to sing.

[Ladybug101]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 5:00am

DWTS is a sometimes guilty pleasure and strangely I thought of Cody yesterday after no thought since his pretty quick departure but his then pro was just quoted in an article saying she never had a younger partner than herself until this season. 

I remember Cody (5 years younger than his partner) was not easy to train for Witney, the young newbie pro -- he had a mind of his own (to his detriment) which probably hastened his exit. I hope in the 10 DWTS seasons (5 years in real time) that Cody has learned to listen and acquiesce since he has not become the next big thing in pop. He also does not look particularly young to me in current photos for those fearing a visual disconnect with his co-starring with Christy.

I guess Witney blocked "bad boy" Cody from her memory since he obviously is younger. For a tiny blast from the past her current partner is the very engaging, nice and front-running Disney kid Milo Manheim, the son of Camryn Manheim from the The Practice among other things. 

And finally you can keep up with the zeitgeist of those going up and declining in their careers with DWTS.  I wouldn't have known of Zendaya if not for her participation.  Alas, I seem to be an information junkie.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 5:31am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6NbWVhZF8U   Since I had no idea who this was, I found this on YouTube.  I'll be Switzerland and say I don't have an opinion of him, one way or another.  The producers have to find people that they think might bring in a new crowd into the theatre.  Time will tell whether that actually happens.

[natashalost]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 7:44am

RippedMan said: "If Zach is an original cast member he could have just not renewed. Or maybe they bought him out."

They bought him out. Zach’s contract ended in March around the same time Christy’s ended. 

[Catsbroadwayfan]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 12:36pm

Zach was for sure bought out. Which leads me to believe that they must not have a great advance coming up.

Also out ot the 400 instagram comments on Anastasia announcement, theres probally only a handful that are positive.

Not that stan twitter can do anything but a pretty well liked comment says

“Thanks for reminding us to avoid Anastsia for the next 11 weeks” looool

[Catsbroadwayfan]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 12:58pm

Okay last post on this subject, but I checked Cody’s instagram where he made the announcment and just like I suspected almost all the comments are like “ah wish I could go”, “im broke so i cant go”, “nooo i cant go to nyc” 

 

his fan base doesn't look like they can make it. I know I will buy a ticket just to see what his performance is like, and just like Jorge I watched the so random! Episode with him lol

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 10/17/18 at 1:05pm

Zach was bought out and the reason why I know this is because they just got done putting his face up all over the city about two weeks ago. If they knew Cody was coming in they wouldn't have done that and waste the money.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 12:25am

Stan Twitter is just being obnoxious at this point. Cody Simpson hasn't even done anything to warrant anger, and yet these kids are trying to make it sound like it's some huge scandal that led to him being cast. Yeah, Zach was probably let go, but that's the unfortunate nature of show business. If you're not packing in the seats, then someone has to take your place.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 9:32am

I'm also surprised at the perceived amount of vitriol directed at this casting. I mean it's only Anastasia. The movie version had Aaliyah sing the radio version of "Journey to the Past". 

[Kad]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 11:18am

Isn't the point of stunt casting to get people in seats who may not otherwise have been interested? Casting someone with teen girl appeal in a show that is already built on teen girl appeal is redundant.

[kelsey1389]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 12:24pm

Sorry to post on this thread again, but from what I'm seeing on Twitter...

Zach seems to be a "fan favorite" for Anastasia and people are pissed that his contract was bought out. Seeing a lot of comments about how its not fair that they bought out a hard working, trained musical theater actor for someone who has no training and who is already famous. I'm also seeing a lot of "this is pointless stunt casting, the show's numbers are fine!" which to my knowledge isn't true (they've been slowly slipping for months now) but I'm not about to pick that fight with anyone.

[GreeneStreet]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 12:30pm

At the end of the day Theatre is a business, and Zach is great in the role but they need someone to bring in tickets. Cody if everyone likes it or not is gonna bring in more tickets then Zach.

But what Anastasia will soon figure out, is that people wont be there to see Cody, they will be there to see Anastasia and Cody will be an added bonus.

This whole thing seems like it was such short notice. Literally weeks ago they had a new advertisement deal with Zachs face all over the city. The advance must not have been great like other posters have mentioned

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 12:41pm

I’ve seen a grand total of about three people on twitter confirm they’ve got tickets to see Cody. While social media isn’t an accurate indicator of real life, it’s telling that the younger part of his fanbase (and the most prominent) are all posting/commenting how they wish they could see him, but don’t have the money. He might fill some seats, but not enough to permanently impact the show’s numbers.

Zach was bought out. The new marketing just went up a few weeks ago, with his face plastered all over the city. Doesn’t sound like a very good business move for him to suddenly leave two month later. Time will tell if bringing in Cody was actually worth it, or if he’s any good.

[nolanativeny]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 3:50pm

I used to work at abercrombie kids many many years ago and there was a Cody Simposon song that would play there called "iyiyi" which is about how I feel reading this news, aiyaiyai

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 10/18/18 at 4:03pm

Zach being in the marketing doesn't necessarily have anything to do with this being a sudden buyout, but it's a possibility. Plenty of shows have advertised using performers who aren't in the production (Waitress tour with Betsy and TV commercial with Jessie, The Producers, etc) or with models (Rocky, I think Hairspray?). Cody is only in it for 11 weeks. The title of the show is still the show's brand, Cody is just an addition to it.