Actors replaced during previews- Page 3

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 12/16/12 at 5:47am

"Josie deGuzman was replaced in NICK & NORA during previews, which then allowed her to be available to replace Carolyn Mignini in GUYS AND DOLLS -- so for her getting fired was a godsend!"

Well, I don't think Josie de Guzman getting fired mattered much one way or the other. Nick and Nora closed Dec. 15, 1991. Even if she hadn't been fired, the closing of Nick & Nora would have given her time to be cast in the ensemble and as Sarah understudy in the Guys and Dolls revival, which started previews on March 16, 1992. I mean, after all, Faith Prince did not get fired from Nick & Nora, and she had no trouble being ready to be Adelaide from the beginning of Guys and Dolls rehearsals.

"Mantello appears to enjoy replacing actors .... When Love! Valour! Compassion! moved from MTC to Broadway, Anthony Heald was in Stephen Spinella's role (Spinella may have had a conflict)."

I believe Spinella did have a conflict with a movie. In addition, he went on to do the Love! Valour! Compassion! movie directed by Mantello, so it certainly wouldn't seem that Mantello wanted him replaced for the Broadway transfer.

"I recall reading that Garn Stephens (the original Jan from Grease) was replaced in Boston, after only one or two performances of Night Music because she was having too much difficulty with 'The Miller's Son.'"

I think Stephens wasn't replaced till at least midway through the Boston run. Don't have a date on it, but based on what has been said by the various people involved and around, I think it was later. Not to mention that it was Stephens who was in the Hirschfeld.

[Tsao5]

Posted: 12/16/12 at 8:32am

When Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame went into rehearsals in New York and then moved over to Berlin to continue, the late great Steve Barton was Frollo. However, about 2 weeks into rehearsals on the stage in Germany, it became clear to the production team that it would be in the best interests of the show to replace him. The call went out, and most of the older German musical theater actors auditioned. The role went to Norbert Llama who had played Max in Sunset Blvd with Hugh Jackman and originated Javert in Austria years before.